Player Evaluation: Curtis Jacobs

Penn State defensive coordinator Brent Pry loves to use his linebackers in a variety of ways. From blitzing to slot coverage, they have to be able to do a bit of everything. Enter Curtis Jacobs, a 6-foot-1, 220 pound prospect out of Maryland whose raw skills fit that mold perfectly. With time and development, Jacobs could very well be the next Swiss army knife in the middle of Penn State's defense.

Important Note: Scouting notes are based on highlight videos produced by commit. They should not be seen as a complete picture of the strengths and weaknesses of a prospect. The majority of the evaluation is based off of physical tools and what positional fundamentals that can be gleaned from select plays. As these young men are still in the early stages of their development, projections are based on positive potential and development.

Length/Athleticism: Jacobs does not have the outsized physical dimensions of some of the other freaky-athletic linebackers that Penn State has added in recent classes, but he does have good size and a good wingspan. He’s physically imposing at the high school level and shows the ability to use his size and strength to his advantage. It’s always a good sign to see a prospect dominate his level physically, but Jacobs took it to a different level. He has reps as a linebacker, edge defender, wide receiver, tight end and running back. Jacobs has very good mobility and isn’t just a straight-line athlete.

Shedding Blocks: Jacobs played edge defender (outside linebacker) based on his high school film and does a very good job of attacking the proper shoulder on blocks and slipping around the blocker. Like former defensive end-turned-linebacker Micah Parsons, Jacobs has a natural ability to attack the run while not giving ground. His ability to play through contact should serve him very well as an off-ball linebacker.

Ball Skills and Versatility: The Nittany Lions have struggled to take the ball away on defense, despite playing in a zone-heavy scheme. Natural ball-skills are not typical for a defender, especially a linebacker. But Jacobs has the unique skill set of being a wide receiver and an outside linebacker in high school, and he has fantastic instincts with the ball in the air. He also has a basketball background, so he has an understanding for both body positioning and high-pointing the ball. Not to mention, he has some very strong hands. If the Nittany Lions didn’t already have a plethora of tight ends, he could potentially be a quality prospect at that position, too. Aside from his ability to catch, he’s also adept at blitzing. As an edge defender, he’s used to taking on tackles and knows how to use leverage and sheds blocks with his hands to get a clean shot at the ball carrier and quarterback.

Unknown Positional Skills: This is where a highlight film is truly an incomplete picture of a player profile. Does Jacobs know how to attack the line of scrimmage as an off-ball linebacker? Did he see any reps at that position that he didn’t elect to show on film? Which position does Penn State project him to? Mike? Sam? Will? Truthfully, there is less and less difference between each position anymore, but knowing how to read run keys, attack at proper angles and playing off the line of scrimmage are just some of the variables that Jacobs will have to work through as he transitions to a new position.

Coverage: This is where the projection of skills really takes place. As a wide receiver, Jacobs has an understanding of routes and movement in space, so it’s natural to think he can cover as a linebacker. That being said, until he does it, it’s truly unknown. This is a critical area of development because coverage has quickly become the most valuable skill set of any player that doesn’t play along the defensive line.

Burst and Change of Direction: There are times on film that Jacobs looks like an elite playmaker and then there are times that he seems to struggle with change of direction. He’s a taller athlete, so it may be as simple as making sure he keeps his center of gravity low in order to move more efficiently. The good news is that Jacobs does not look stiff or lack movement skills, so there isn’t anything physically inhibiting him from improving in this area. Jacobs is naturally athletic and has a silkiness to his movement, which kind of disguises his acceleration at times. I think that's good for a linebacker. The only reason that this even comes up is that the bar has been set so high by the current crop of athletes at linebacker for the Nittany Lions. Consistent pop in his movement should be attainable.

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A big, physical run stuffer with the length and speed to cover in the passing game is hard to find. With his unique blend of skills and his straight-line speed, Jacobs could develop into a three-down linebacker who has the skill to both play in coverage and rush the passer. His length and ball skills to interrupt passing lanes and come down with the ball may end up being worth his weight in gold. There are a lot of intangible factors for Jacobs, both good and bad, as he transitions to a new level of play and a new position, but he has the tools to become a versatile weapon for the Nittany Lions’ defense. Unlike Parsons, who was thrust onto the field as a true freshman, patience and time may be his best asset.

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