Patriots’ Gabe Jacas Leverages Wrestling Background for NFL Success
New England Patriots second-round draft pick Gabe Jacas is bringing a unique skillset to the NFL, honed through years of competitive wrestling. Selected 55th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, Jacas credits his wrestling background as a key component of his pass-rushing abilities.
From Wrestling Mat to Football Field
Jacas began wrestling as a freshman at Fort Pierce Central High School, quickly demonstrating a natural talent for the sport. By his junior year, he had transitioned to the defensive line in football while simultaneously achieving a 26-4 record and a state title in wrestling. His senior season saw even greater success, with a 47-2 record in the heavyweight class (285-pound division) and another state championship. That year, he also excelled in football, recording 35 tackles for loss and 13 sacks, earning County Male Athlete of the Year honors for 2021-22.
The Transferable Skills of Wrestling
Despite ultimately choosing football, Jacas emphasizes the direct correlation between his wrestling experience and his performance on the gridiron. “The ability to, you grasp, being low, having leverage, using your hands, fighting, those all keyed into football,” Jacas explained. “Wrestling has a lot of trade over into football, especially with hand fighting. Especially at this position on the edge, you got to leverage your hands effectively, and that’s one thing that I carried over the most with is being able to use my hands efficiently and effectively. So, everyone knows me as a football player, but wrestling had a big part in that as well.”
Immediate Impact at Illinois
Jacas continued his athletic success at the University of Illinois, making an immediate impact as a freshman, playing in all 13 games and earning the team’s Rookie of the Year Award. He continued to improve throughout his collegiate career, culminating in a senior season where he led the conference with 11.0 sacks – the sixth-highest total nationally.
Coaching Connection: Joe Kim
Jacas’ development also benefited from his time working with Joe Kim, a pass-rush specialist. Kim, currently a Senior Analyst, Defense for the Ohio State Buckeyes, previously served as the New England Patriots’ Director of Skill Development from 2019-2024. Kim is known for his innovative training methods, applying martial arts principles to football technique, and is described by Nick Saban as “the pass-rush guru.” Kim was with the Fighting Illini in 2025, helping All-Big Ten honoree Gabe Jacas improve his game.
Looking Ahead
The Patriots traded up to select Jacas, signaling their confidence in his potential. His unique blend of size, strength, and technique, developed through years of wrestling and refined under coaches like Joe Kim, positions him as a promising pass-rushing threat in the NFL.