Illinois standout Gabe Jacas declares for the 2026 NFL draft

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - Illinois football standout Gabe Jacas has declared for the 2026 NFL draft, the linebacker announced on X Friday.

"To Illini Nation, thank you for making Illinois home for the last 4 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," Jacas said in the post.

Jacas was a first team All-Big Ten selection this season after leading the Big Ten in sacks (11.0), finishing 2nd in forced fumbles (3) and fourth in sack yards (60).

Trevor Sikkema, an NFL draft analyst for Pro Football Focus, recently ranked Jacas No. 52 on his list of the top 315 prospects in next year's draft.

Jacas amassed 27 sacks in his Fighting Illini career, the second most in program history behind Simeon Rice, according to Illinois Athletics.

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