From wrestling to wreaking havoc on quarterbacks, Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas has always been all about punishing the opposition. And as a fast-rising prospect projected in early second-round draft discussions, the Philadelphia Eagles could look to Jacas to fill a significant need before long.
NFL Draft Analyst Todd McShay heaped plenty of praise on Jacas, highlighting his wrestling background while comparing him to one of the very best pass rushers in the game.
"One of my favorite NFL comps in this year‘s draft is Gabe Jacas (Illinois) and Trey Hendrickson. Like Hendrickson (pk 39, RD3), Jacas won’t be a RD1 pk because he lacks the athletic profile. But both are excellent with their hands, have strong wrestling backgrounds and play with relentless motors and toughness. Jacas will be one of the steals from the ‘26 class."
Eagles could target Gabe Jacas in the NFL Draft
A team captain and All-Big Ten First-Team selection, the Illinois senior racked up 11 sacks and forced three fumbles in 2025. The year prior, Jacas notched eight sacks and also had three forced fumbles. Overall, the Port Saint Lucie, Florida native had 27 sacks in his four seasons for the Fighting Illini.
In High School, Jacas was a two-time Florida state wrestling champion, and he credits the grueling one-on-one sport with strengthening his hand-eye coordination and leverage. The tactics he deploys jump out on tape, as his ability to win hand-to-hand showdowns against tackles while consistently gaining leverage in the trenches stands out.
Jacas doesn't have quite the towering length of Jaelan Phillips or fellow edge prospect Zion Young, yet he's a stout 6-foot-3, 275-pound wrecking ball off the edge.
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In possession of eight picks within the first 176 selections in this April's NFL Draft, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has the goods to move up in the second round for Jacas - just like in the case of Cooper DeJean in 2024 - or perhaps move back in the first if they hone in on Jacas.