Patriots select Gabe Jacas in second round
- Story byThe News-Gazette, Champaign-Urbana, Ill.
- Patriots select Gabe Jacas in second round
Apr. 24—CHAMPAIGN — Former Illini Gabe Jacas is heading to a historic franchise who played in the most recent Super Bowl and who employed Illinois coach Bret Bielema for two seasons before Bielema arrived in Champaign in December 2020.
The New England Patriots selected Jacas with the No. 55 overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL draft on Friday night.
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The 6-foot-4, 260-pound edge rusher is Illinois' second second-round pick in the last three years, following Johnny Newton's selection in 2024 by the Washington Commanders . Jacas, who watched the draft at home in Florida, received some pre-draft buzz as a potential first-round pick, but a second-round projection was the standard in most mock drafts.
"The people that have been there from the beginning, enjoying that moment with them," Jacas told NFL Network's Brian Baldinger in the run-up to the draft about his plans to watch his eventual selection. "They put as much effort and time in as I did."
Jacas closed out his Illinois career as the Big Ten sacks leader last fall. The Illini senior earned All-Big Ten First Team recognition from the league media after posting 43 tackles, 13 1/2 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and three forced fumbles during the 2025 season, a season where Illinois went 9-4 and beat Tennessee in the Music City Bowl. Jacas didn't play in the Music City Bowl, opting out to focus on the draft, but the Illini aren't in that position without the contributions of Jacas.
Jacas was selected as an edge rusher but could wind up a 4-3 defensive end. He played in multiple positions along the Illinois defensive front during his Illini career.
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"I think I have versatility to my game," Jacas said. "Wherever you put me, I'm going to be productive. That's something I take pride in. You can put me in anywhere, and you will get the same results."
Jacas was a four-year standout in Champaign after Illinois beat out Tennessee for the one-time Tulane commit and three-star prospect out of Fort Pierce Central High School in Florida. Jacas finished his Illini career with 183 tackles, 35 1/2 tackles for loss, 27 sacks, seven forced fumbles and two pass breakups.
Jacas' 27 career sacks have him second all-time in program history behind only the 44 1/2 sacks accumulated by Simeon Rice from 1992-95. Those sacks by Jacas came in a variety of ways. Often times, Jacas could simply rely on his physical advantage, but he also flashed real speed in pursuing quarterbacks on the run.
"I think a lot of people underestimate my speed," Jacas said. "I'm every bit of fast. That 20 mph (top seed), that (4.65-second 40-yard dash), that shows in games, and that's the type of speed I can bring off the edge."
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Jacas' selection made him the 13th draft pick in Bielema's tenure as Illinois coach. The Illini could add to that total this weekend with offensive linemen J.C. Davis and Josh Gesky and quarterback Luke Altmyer potential draft picks, with the fourth through seventh rounds set to take place on Saturday.
