The New England Patriots’ 2026 second-round pick Gabe Jacas has drawn a striking comparison from Illinois Fighting Illini defensive coordinator Aaron Henry, who likened the edge rusher’s work habits and physical profile to former NFL standout JJ Watt.
Jacas, standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 270 pounds, was selected 55th overall after New England traded its 63rd, 131st, and 202nd picks to the Los Angeles Chargers. The move came after Jacas put his nose to the grindstone at Illinois from 2022-2025, where he played 50 games, recording 183 tackles, 27 sacks, and seven forced fumbles.
Henry, who coached Jacas during his time with the Fighting Illini before becoming Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator, recalled first meeting him during a recruiting trip to Fort Pierce Central High School in Florida. He described Jacas as a “rocked up” athlete with a relentless approach, including a three-hour nonstop wrestling session that included 2-on-1 drills against teammates and coaches.
Henry pointed to Jacas’ workload and preparation habits, putting him in the same conversation as Watt, who was famous for spending countless hours in team facilities throughout his college and NFL day.
Jacas was a two-time state wrestling champion in high school and later earned Freshman All-American honors in 2022.
Throughout his collegiate career, Jacas became a consistent force on defense, highlighted by 11.0 sacks in 2025, which ranked sixth nationally during the regular season, and 3 forced fumbles that season. His resume also includes Third-team All-American honors (2024), First-team All-Big Ten recognition (2025), and multiple All-Big Ten selections across different years.
In 2024 alone, Jacas finished with 74 tackles, 8.0 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles, ranking among the Big Ten leaders in disruptive plays. Against Michigan that year, the outside linebacker’s game film also showcased his high-energy motor and versatility, as he lined up in five different spots and used a variety of pass-rush techniques.
The Patriots are expected to develop Jacas behind veteran edge rushers Dre’Mont Jones and Harold Landry III.
The New England Patriots’ 2026 second-round pick Gabe Jacas has drawn a striking comparison from Illinois Fighting Illini defensive coordinator Aaron Henry, who likened the edge rusher’s work habits and physical profile to former NFL standout JJ Watt.