Illini edge-rusher Gabe Jacas a rising prospect for 2026
It's a widely held misnomer that non-College Football Playoff bowl games don't mean anything. This is especially true for individual players looking to improve their NFL Draft stock. A headliner game against an out of conference opponent provides the right time to shine, and Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas did exactly that in the Citrus Bowl win over a top 15 South Carolina team.
Going up against an offense led by LaNorris Sellers (who projects as a top three QB, top 10 overall pick in the 2026 draft) Jacas posted a career-high 3.0 tackles for loss and eight tackles. He was very disruptive, and South Carolina coach Shane Beamer took notice in the postgame press conference, referring to Jacas as "a really good player on the defensive line."
On Wednesday, Jacas was named to the Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List, which consists of the top 42 defensive players in college football based on their impact both on and off the field. Last year's Heisman Trophy winner, Travis Hunter of Colorado, claimed this award as well.
Jacas, who can play as a kind of OLB/DE hybrid, started all 13 games for the 10-3 Illini last season, totaling 74 tackles, 13.0 TFLs, 8.0 sacks, 10 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
Under head coach Bret Bielema, Illinois has quietly become a NFL talent factory, and Jacas might have the highest draft stock on the team. That's because his skill set is exactly what the NFL is looking for right now- 3-4 OLBs whose primary job is to hit the quarterback.
Jacas is a disruptive edge rusher, with a penchant for getting into opposing backfields, early and often. With these services in high demand, his future looks bright.
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