EDGE

Gabe Jacas

Illinois

· age 21.9

Consensus Rank

Colors: elite (top 10%)·strong·weak·bottom 10%all within EDGE cohort (n=52)

NFL.com

6.33

ACS

5.7

4.69

6'4"

261

Arm

33.0

PFF Col

—

Mock→

—

Flags

Visits

Bench —

Vert —

Broad —

3c —

Shut —

Hand 10.0

Age 21.9

visited by:LV MIN

Measurables

HT (in)75.63

WT (lb)261

Arm33

Hand10

404.69

Bench—

Vert—

Broad—

3-cone—

Shuttle—

By Source

acs-2026

overall5.70

pct_forty6.43

pct_heightInches4.93

pct_weightLbs4.28

brugler

age21.91

armInches33

forty4.69

handInches10

heightInches75.63

tenYardSplit1.59

weightLbs261

wingspanInches78.88

nfl.com

armInches33

athleticismScore82.18

forty5.36

handInches10

heightInches75.63

weightLbs329

Archetype

Average athlete · ACS 5.7/10

Teams That Have Engaged (2)

LVT30 MINT30

Athletic Composite (ACS)

5.7/ 10

position percentile vs 2006-2024 cohort (n ≈ 3,500+ historical picks)

forty
6.4
heightInches
4.9
weightLbs
4.3

Historical Projection

based on 2006-2024 draft outcomes (n≈249 per attribute · confidence medium)

Composite

0-100 scale

Expected career AV: 26.5

Attribute Contributions

Draft ager=+0.3221.91z=+0.49+1.6
Verticalr=+0.13—z=—+0.0
3-coner=+0.12—z=—+0.0
Weightr=+0.11261z=-0.20-0.2
Bench repsr=+0.10—z=—+0.0
Broad jumpr=+0.10—z=—+0.0
Shuttler=+0.10—z=—+0.0
Heightr=+0.0975.63z=-0.06-0.1
40-yardr=+0.094.69z=+0.43+0.4

Scouting Dossier

PFF

Jacas can be reactionary at times, but when he diagnoses plays correctly, he shows NFL-level playmaking ability. His build and strength support versatility as a 3-4 defensive end or outside linebacker.

Strengths

● Athletic, moldable frame, with thick quads and solid bulk on his limbs ● Quick and skilled at marrying his hands and feet to detach from blocks ● Exposes shaky blocking landmarks with speed-rip or stab-chop moves ● Leverages body mid-rush to keep defenders from pushing him off his arc ● Violent use of hands with drive power to collapse pocket with a short runway ● Balls his fist to punch the ball out on tackle attempts (seven forced fumbles) ● Persistent motor — consistently chases plays away from the line ● Teammates describe him as a “workaholic” who trains like a professional ● Voted a team captain as a senior in 2025; has some alpha to him ● Durable and experienced — played in 50 straight games (bowl opt-out was the only game he missed the past four years) ● Finished his career No. 2 in school history in sacks (27) and No. 9 in tackles for loss (35.5)

Weaknesses

● Mediocre instincts in run game and loses positioning ● Inconsistent edge setter — can be turned and sealed from outside runs ● Too easily moved from his spot; tardy unwinding from blocks ● Get-off quickness as pass rusher is only adequate ● Costly third-down offside penalty against Ohio State in 2025 ● Sluggish change of direction when asked to drop in space

Projection

A four-year starter at Illinois, Jacas lined up as a stand-up boundary edge rusher in defensive coordinator Aaron Henry’s 3-4 base scheme. He put himself on the NFL radar with his Freshman All-America season, then led the Illini in sacks, tackles for loss and forced fumbles as both a junior and senior. He also led the Big Ten during the 2025 regular season with 11 sacks (no other Illinois player had more than two). With his rocked-up, athletic build, Jacas is a quick and violent pass rusher who doesn’t need a long runway. He credits his wrestling background for his handwork and maneuvering skills (also worked closely with pass-rush specialist Joe Kim, whom Illinois hired from 348 Back to table of contents -- 352 of 629 -- the New England Patriots in 2025). As a run defender, he uses his heavy hands to strike blockers but gets tangled versus length and must improve his awareness against seal down blocks. Overall, Jacas won’t consistently outrace NFL tackles, but his powerful, proficient technique and aggressive play demeanor should translate well to the next level. He projects as a rotational edge defender.

Mock Ranks (1)

MDD-consensus54

Freak Notes

Feldman-Freaks-2025 · #59
The former state champion wrestler from Florida has been a menace to opponents. Last year, Jacas made 74 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, eight sacks, 10 quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles. He made 9.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and forced two of those fumbles in Illinois’ six games against ranked teams. Coaches are expecting an even bigger season from him in 2025. “He has lost over seven percent of his body fat from last season to the start of this season,” strength coach Tank Wright said. The 6-3, 270-pound Jacas is now under 12 percent. He has hit over 20 mph on the GPS and bench pressed 225 pounds for 30-plus reps. “Talent is common at this level of college football; however, work ethic sets the elite apart from the rest, and Gabe Jacas is the definition of work ethic and dedication,” Wright said. “Football has become his lifestyle. From early morning workouts to late afternoon workouts. He has embraced every aspect of a relentless mindset to achieve high goals.”

Best Team Fits

Open in Fit Engine →

no fits scored yet