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Gabe Jacas gave the best reason for staying at Illinois for his senior season

Illinois senior linebacker Gabe Jacas shared just how much the Fighting Illini program means to him.
BySam Fariss|
Oct 14, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) huddles along the sidelines with teammates before the game against the Maryland Terrapins.
Oct 14, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) huddles along the sidelines with teammates before the game against the Maryland Terrapins. | Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

After the 2024 season, Illinois linebacker Gabe Jacas was eligible to enter the NFL Draft, and he had the talent to do so. However, the veteran decided to return for a fourth (and likely final) season with the Fighting Illini.

During the start of fall training camp, Jacas shared exactly why he decided to stick around in Champaign for another year.

"I couldn't leave these guys, we built our foundation here," Jacas said. "These guys are my family, and they mean everything to me."

Jacas went on to talk about how special it has been to see his teammates grow and develop over the last few years, and grow right alongside them.

Over the last three years, Jacas has built quite the resume while playing for Illinois, amassing 141 total tackles (75 solo), 16 sacks, four forced fumbles, and one pass deflection. During his junior season, the linebacker more than doubled his career-high for total sacks in a season.

Last year, Jacas led the Fighting Illini with eight sacks on the season. This year, he is an All-American candidate and will likely become a highly rated draft prospect. Reportedly, Jacas rejected numerous offers to transfer to a different program, but Illinois is "home" to him.

As he enters his senior season with the program, Jacas has an incredible opportunity to continue to show growth both on and off the field. If he can improve any of his stats, there will undeniably be NFL franchises fighting for the chance to draft him.

Jacas also shared that he had dropped about 15 pounds over the summer, going from 280 pounds to 165. However, he admitted to still indulging in a Girl Scout cookie or two during the offseason.

Illinois will kick off its final season with Jacas on the roster on Friday, Aug. 29, against the Western Illinois Leathernecks. The game is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. CT and will be streamed on Peacock.