Transfer Profile: 5 things to know about Ducks’ new LB Jestin Jacobs
It wasn’t a name that was speculated much about when the transfer portal opened up, but the Oregon Ducks are happy this guy decided to become a Duck.
Former Iowa linebacker Jestin Jacobs announced he was leaving the Hawkeyes program and four days later, he was committing to Oregon.
It’s good timing for the Ducks as the linebacker position might be a question going into the 2023 season. Justin Flowe is transferring out and there’s a good possibility Noah Sewell might declare for the NFL whether he plays in the Holiday Bowl or not.
Jeffrey Bassa and Keith Brown were set to be the only experienced linebackers on the roster for spring practice, but having Jacobs on board alleviates some of the worries the Oregon coaching staff might have when it comes to linebacker.
Here are five things Oregon Duck football fans might want to know about the newest Duck.
Ohio State wanted Jacobs badly out of high school
Jacobs was a four-star recruit and an All-American coming out of Englewood, Ohio and he verbally committed to Iowa early in the process. But Jacobs told the Hawkeyes if Ohio State came calling, he would definitely think about going to the Buckeyes.
They came calling.
Normally Iowa doesn’t like verbals to visit other schools, but since Jacobs was up front and honest with the Hawkeyes, they let it slide.
“Jestin was open and honest and we knew from the get-go that if Ohio State came calling that we were going to have to battle a little bit,” Director of Recruiting Tyler Barnes told HawkeyeInsider. “Jestin’s a different kid. He’s had a plan the whole time. He had a vision of what he wanted to do as a Hawkeye here and he let us know (Ohio State) was something he was going to check out and we were okay with that and we felt confident that even after that visit that we were going to be in a good spot with him.”
Obviously, the Hawkeyes eventually won that battle.
He's on the verge of become a special player
Jacobs was a high school All-American, but things in Iowa never really clicked. He had to redshirt his freshman season and didn’t get on track until two years later. In 2021, Jacobs played in all of Iowa’s 14 games and started eight of them.
In his one season where he was a regular, Jacobs racked up 53 tackles, 33 solo, and one forced fumble. He was set to become one of the Big Ten’s top defenders in 2022, but a leg injury early on send him to the sideline. Jacobs was forced to have season-ending surgery in September.
Jacobs fits into Lanning's system
We all saw the development of Jeffrey Bassa in Oregon’s defense that head coach Dan Lanning and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi have installed. The base defense focuses on the linebacker spot and a player like Jacobs might be able to take full advantage.
Iowa went from a 4-3 to a 4-2-5, a defense that isn’t exactly linebacker friendly. Lanning coached All-American Nakobe Dean and first-round selection Quay Walker. It should be a fun pairing to watch in the coming years.
Jacobs has effectively bulked up
Coming out of high school, there were concerns about Jacobs’ size at 6-foot-3 and 206 pounds. This is what Allen Trieu, a national recruiting analyst said about Jacobs before he committed to Iowa.
Good height and length, but has to add bulk in college. Frame is wiry, and he likely will not play at a higher weight for a linebacker. Speed is his biggest asset. Runs very well and is explosive as a blitzer and pass rusher. Fluid and can get skinny and avoid blockers getting a clean punch on him. Also does a good job with his hands when engaged. Sheds well for a kid who still has strength to add. More of a come-forward guy in high school, but has the speed to excel in coverage, he just needs more reps there. Projects as an every down backer who can play on the edge in passing situations. Should be a high impact college player — how soon will depend on the weight room.
Jacobs is now listed at 6-4 and 238 pounds, the ideal size for a Power 5 linebacker. That work in the weight room has paid dividends that the Ducks hope to cash in on.
Leaving Iowa came as a shock to the Hawkeyes
Nearly everyone had expected Jacobs to return to Iowa City for at least one more year. The coaching staff definitely had counted on him for 2023. He was projected to be a starting linebacker for the Hawkeyes.
“I don’t want to speak for Jestin, but I do expect him to stick around for another year and double down on his opportunity and help lead this team from a veteran standpoint,” linebackers coach Seth Wallace said in a Zoom press conference with reporters in October.
Oregon might have two more years of Jacobs. He’s eligible for a medical redshirt and another year due to COVID-19 rules.
