Curtis Jacobs, Penn State Football News: Draft Scout Player News

01/01/23 - OLB Curtis Jacobs, rJr/2024, Penn State

Some time after the Rose Bowl ends on Jan. 2, Curtis Jacobs will announce his decision - either he'll return to Penn State next season or he'll enter the 2023 NFL Draft. The decision is one worth pondering for the Penn State linebacker, who has come a long way this season. Jacobs was someone defensive coordinator Manny Diaz said he wanted to see more growth out of during spring practice, and now Diaz - who also coaches the team's linebackers - praised the linebacker for what he proved this season. "It's funny because now we forget, Curtis had never played in the box," Diaz said. "That's a different world. ... So the first question is, can you roll your sleeves up and get down and dirty inside the box. Now we know the answer (is) yes. ... His ability to play SAM and WILL so (Jacobs and Abdul Carter) could be on the field at the same time, that's no easy thing. That shows you what type of football IQ that Curt has."

Jacobs deferred some of the credit for his success this season to Diaz, who joined the staff after the 2021 season. He said the season has gone well for him, and pointed to some of the versatility his coordinator mentioned. He knows the system Diaz utilizes - and the type of mentality he wants his players to have - allowed him to evolve and make much more progress this year as a defender. "It's been amazing," Jacobs said. "It's been a lot more aggressive approach. I feel like I can be a lot more of an aggressive linebacker in this system. And I feel like it's really showed my talent." Part of the growth for Jacobs has been how he's developed off the field. The always jovial linebacker plays the game with joy - previously mentioning that he even laughs after making a big hit - and has now combined that with leadership ability off the field. - Centre Times

rJr/2024