The Illinois Fighting Illini had yet another banner showing at the NFL Draft, and it included linebacker Gabe Jacas being selected 55th overall, going to the New England Patriots during the second round.
Jacas's senior season was one of the best of his career at Illinois, racking up an incredible 43 total tackles (23 solo), 11 sacks for 61 yards, three forced fumbles, and one pass deflection.
His in-game performance earned him his place as a second-round draft pick, but some of his out-of-game and off-season work put him in a position to excel as much as he did.
Gabe Jacas partnering with Justin Houston may have made his career
Illinois's skill development coordinator Joe Kim connected Jacas with four-time Pro Bowl linebacker Justin Houston, who spent over a decade in the NFL, to work together in the offseason.
About a year ago, Jacas headed down to Atlanta to work alongside the legendary linebacker, and the work, even away from the Fighting Illini, more than paid off.
"When I got [Gabe Jacas] in front of somebody that’s a positive influence, like Justin Houston, and he invested the time to go train with him, he came back with a whole different outlook of, 'What do I put in my body? What’s my workout plan? What’s my skill development plan every day? What am I going to do during training camp?'" Kim said of his former linebacker.
At 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds, Jacas turned into an absolute monster of an athlete while playing for the Fighting Illini, adding nearly 30 pounds to his frame since he was a high school prospect.
Last May, #Patriots rookie Gabe Jacas spent a week in Atlanta working with four-time Pro Bowler Justin Houston, per @DougKyed.
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) May 6, 2026
Illinois’ Skill Development Coordinator Joe Kim, who connected the two, saw a change in Jacas after his time he spent with Houston.
“When I got him in… pic.twitter.com/ABkgkgwT8Y
There's nothing like a Pro Bowler as a mentor to get your mind and body right ahead of your final collegiate season and your turn at the NFL Draft, which is exactly what Jacas had in his back pocket.
Houston, who was a third-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, earned 514 total tackles (407 solo), 112 sacks, 35 pass deflections, 19 forced fumbles, 14 fumble recoveries, five interceptions, and one touchdown throughout his 13-year career in the league.
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