{"id":341964,"date":"2025-12-13T05:18:10","date_gmt":"2025-12-13T05:18:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/341964\/"},"modified":"2025-12-13T05:18:10","modified_gmt":"2025-12-13T05:18:10","slug":"big-tens-27-career-sack-leader-makes-clear-nfl-draft-decision-before-music-city-bowl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/341964\/","title":{"rendered":"Big Ten’s 27-career sack leader makes clear NFL Draft decision before Music City Bowl"},"content":{"rendered":"

Big Ten’s 27-career sack leader makes clear NFL Draft decision before Music City Bowl<\/a> originally appeared on The Sporting News<\/a>. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Despite the Illinois Fighting Illini<\/a> football program receiving massive news Friday about the status of their quarterback, Luke Altmyer,<\/a> regarding his decision to play in the Music City Bowl against the Tennessee Volunteers<\/a>, another domino had to fall.<\/p>\n

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Defensively, outside linebacker Gabe Jacas announced the same day that his Illinois career had come to a close by announcing on social media <\/a>his intention to declare for next year’s NFL Draft.<\/a><\/p>\n

“First off, I want to thank my lord and savior Jesus Christ for putting me in this position,” Jacas wrote. “Without him this wouldn’t be possible. To my family, teammates, coaches, and the whole Illinois support staff, thank you for your unwavering dedication and commitment for making me the man I am today. Your hard work will never go unnoticed and I will forever be grateful for that. The lessons I’ve learned from this program have helped me grow as an athlete and a person\u2014on and off the field.”<\/p>\n

Jacas then went onto reflect how much the Illinois football program shaped him as a man, serving as a springboard for what’s to come.<\/p>\n

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“To Illini Nation, thank you for making Illinois home for the last [four] years. From packing out Gies Memorial Stadium to rushing the field, you guys were there through the highs and lows. The relationships and the memories that were made I will cherish for a lifetime. As it comes to an end of my college career this is just beginning of a new journey. With that being said, I am proudly announcing that I will be pursuing my life long dream of playing at the next level and declaring for the 2026 NFL draft.”<\/p>\n

Jacas finished his Illini career with the second-most sacks<\/a> in team history with 27, totaling 11 this past season to lead the Big Ten.<\/p>\n

Although he will miss a chance to win back-to-back bowl games come Dec. 30, he goes out as one of the greatest players in Illinois history regardless of era.<\/p>\n

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Without question, Jacas leaves Champaign as a program-changing player and a star in the making.<\/p>\n

For now, his NFL journey is almost a reality. In four months, the college football world will find out if the pro game is just as special for Jacas.<\/p>\n

Only time will tell.<\/p>\n