Gabe Jacas

Gabe Jacas
Jacas with Illinois in 2022
No. 50 – New England Patriots
PositionOutside linebacker
Roster status
Active
Personal information
Born (2004-05-27) May 27, 2004 (age 22)
Listed height
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight
261 lb (118 kg)
Career information
High schoolFort Pierce Central
(Fort Pierce, Florida)
CollegeIllinois (2022–2025)
NFL draft2026: 2nd round, 55th overall pick
Career history
Awards and highlights
Career NFL statistics as of Week 7, 2026
Total tackles21
Sacks1.5
Pass deflections1
Interceptions1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Gabriel Jacas (ACK-iss; born May 27, 2004) is an American professional football outside linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini and was selected by the Patriots in the second round of the 2026 NFL draft.

Early life

Jacas grew up in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and attended Fort Pierce Central High School. In addition to playing football, he won two state titles in wrestling. Jacas was rated a three-star recruit and originally committed to play college football at Tulane during the summer before his senior year. He later flipped his commitment to Illinois after coach Bret Bielema received a tip from an area scout and offered him a scholarship.

College career

Jacas was named a starter at outside linebacker entering his freshman season with the Illinois Fighting Illini.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand spanWingspan40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard splitBench press
6 ft 3+5⁄8 in
(1.92 m)		260 lb
(118 kg)		33 in
(0.84 m)		10 in
(0.25 m)		6 ft 6+7⁄8 in
(2.00 m)		4.68 s1.59 s2.75 s30 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day

In the 2026 NFL draft, Jacas was picked 55th overall by the New England Patriots in the second round. The Patriots traded away their 63rd, 131st, and 202nd to acquire the 55th pick from the Los Angeles Chargers. On June 9, 2026, head coach Mike Vrabel announced that Jacas was recovering from an arthroscopic knee procedure he underwent shortly after the draft. Jacas signed a four–year, $8.6 million contract with New England on July 25; he was the last second–round pick of the 2026 NFL draft to sign his rookie contract.

In Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks, Jacas recorded three tackles and first ever NFL sack on Drew Lock in the 10–13 loss. In Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacas recorded his first ever interception at any level off of Aaron Rodgers to go with three tackles in the 20–3 win.

References

  1. ↑ Richey, Scott (September 1, 2022). "Jacas putting physical advantage to use". The News-Gazette. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  2. ↑ Cooney, Bryan (March 6, 2022). "Central's Gabriel Jacas goes back-to-back as state wrestling champ". TCPalm. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  3. ↑ Cooney, Bryan (August 14, 2021). "Super 11, No. 3: Fort Pierce Central's Gabriel Jacas set for big year". TCPalm. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  4. ↑ Kimball, Anderson (September 17, 2022). "How a tip from a Florida coach landed Illinois an edge rusher in Gabe Jacas". The Pantagraph. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  5. ↑ Navarro, Manny (October 20, 2022). "The True Freshman Report: Illinois edge rusher has NFL scouts salivating, plus Oregon State RB to watch". The Athletic. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  6. ↑ Kimball, Anderson (September 22, 2022). "How a Gabe Jacas photo convinced Illinois football to recruit the freshman defender". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Gabe Jacas Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Gabe Jacas College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  9. ↑ Lazar, Evan (April 25, 2026). "Analysis: Patriots Select EDGE Gabe Jacas and TE Eli Raridon on Day Two of the 2026 NFL Draft". Patriots.com. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  10. ↑ "What's going on with unsigned Patriots second-rounder Gabe Jacas". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved July 25, 2026.
  11. ↑ "New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks". www.espn.com. Retrieved September 21, 2026.
  12. ↑ read, Stephen Cohn·1 min (September 21, 2026). "Illini in the NFL: Jacas picks off Aaron Rodgers". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved September 21, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)