“He’ll probably be, in my opinion, our highest draft pick,” said head coach Bret Bielema in November 2025.
Bielema’s opinion became fact Friday as the New England Patriots picked senior linebacker Gabe Jacas with pick 55 in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. A three-time All-Big Ten honoree with Illinois, Jacas heads to the next level with a chance to be a dominant force off the edge.
As a four-year starter with the Illini, Jacas had one of the best careers for an edge in program history. He’s second all-time in career sacks with 27, and his 11 sacks this year are the fifth-most in a single season.
Jacas is a powerful pass rusher and relies on his strength to get through opposing offensive linemen. He’s relentless in pursuit, always tracking the quarterback throughout the play.
The Florida native was also proficient at stripping the ball from quarterbacks. He racked up three forced fumbles in each of the last two seasons.
“He’s a really, really tough task to block,” Bielema said. “He’s so powerful, he really does lean well, he bends well. He’s such a high motor guy, a great power.”
However, Jacas can struggle in the run game. There were times this season when he let a runner get by him, not realizing where the ball was. If he can clean that up, Jacas will likely find success in the NFL.
Jacas has a chance to be a starting edge rusher with New England, as it’s lacking at the position. The Patriots didn’t have any players with double-digit sacks. Linebacker Harold Landry III led the team with 8.5, and no one else had more than eight.
With Jacas’ power and ability to get to the quarterback, he should be able to make an impact from the get-go.
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