Gabe Jacas

Draft Projection

Measurements

Athletic Testing

College Statistics

Scouting Report

Highly productive Big Ten edge rusher with 27 career sacks, the most among active conference defenders. Generated 11 sacks, 42 pressures, and a 25% pass rush win rate in 2025 with wrestling-bred hand technique and a relentless motor. Below-average run defense and a 21.2% missed tackle rate are the significant concerns for a three-time All-Big Ten selection.

Player Comparison

Strengths

• Super athletic - Made Bruce Feldman's 2023 Freak's List at #69. He Wrote:
• " Jacas has ridiculous strength and power, especially for a guy so young. The 6-3, 267-pounder bench-presses 285 for 22 reps. “He looks like he’s been lifting since middle school,” says Illinois defensive tackle Johnny Newton. “He can do it all. Gabe is a dawg at wrestling. I tried to wrestle him. I wouldn’t advise it. He just wore me out. He is not to be messed with.”"
• Wrestling foundation creates devastating hand placement and leverage advantages that consistently frustrate opposing offensive linemen at the point of attack.
• Natural power generator who can stack and shed blockers with authority, showcasing knock-back ability that opens rushing lanes for teammates.
• Relentless motor drives him through contact and around blocks, making hustle plays downfield that lesser athletes simply can't reach.
• Scheme flexibility allows him to rush standing up or with hand in dirt, giving defensive coordinators multiple looks to deploy.
• Exceptional burst off the snap threatens tackles with speed-to-power conversions, forcing quick decisions from opposing quarterbacks and running backs.
• Gap discipline and edge-setting fundamentals show maturity beyond his years, rarely getting washed out of running plays by veteran linemen.
• Big-game performer who elevates against ranked competition, recording 9.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in six games against top-25 teams.
• Young for his class with tremendous physical upside still untapped, suggesting his best football lies ahead at the next level.

Areas to Improve

• Pass rush repertoire remains underdeveloped with heavy reliance on bull rush, lacking the counter moves necessary for consistent NFL success.
• Hand technique inconsistencies allow savvy tackles to gain early advantages, limiting his ability to establish control in pass protection situations.
• Hip stiffness becomes apparent in coverage responsibilities, constraining his utility in modern defensive packages that require linebacker versatility.
• Length limitations occasionally surface against longer-armed tackles who can keep him at bay in run fits and pass protection.
• Production questions linger after his sophomore plateau, raising concerns about his ceiling against elite collegiate and professional competition.