The 2023 NFL Scouting combine gets underway in Indianapolis Thursday and Oregon will have six former players in attendance, headlined by cornerback Christian Gonzalez and linebacker Noah Sewell . Gonzalez could end up being the first Oregon cornerback selected in the first round in more than 25 years, but who is suiting up for the Ducks this year that could hear their name called in next year's draft?
Dan Lanning and his coaching staff added numerous big-time players to the roster this offseason from both the high school and college ranks, hoping to leverage the transfer portal like they did ahead of the 2022 season and find multiple plug-and-play starters.
Former Iowa linebacker Jestin Jacobs has been billed as one of the top transfer additions this offseason and Tosh Lupoi hopes he can help bridge the gap while the team moves on from the ultra athletic Sewell, who captained the defense during his three-year college career.
Earlier this week Sports Illustrated's NFL Draft Bible writer Jack Borowsky tabbed Jacobs a top NFL Draft prospect to watch at big schools in 2023, along with the likes of Tennessee wide receiver Bru McCoy and Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer.
Here's what Jack Borowsky had to say about Jacobs:
"Going into the 2022 campaign at Iowa, Jacobs was considered one of the top linebackers in the country. Because of injuries, he was limited to 32 snaps. A transfer from Iowa, I think Jacobs is going to skyrocket up draft boards this fall. The Hawkeyes never fully let him loose for evaluators what he was capable of. Now, Jacobs will show off his elite athleticism and speed for his size. He can cover, has impressive range and always makes plays when on the field. Jacobs has also shown the potential to rush the passer. Quay Walker and Channing Tindall really rose under Dan Lanning at Georgia; expect the same to happen with Jacobs. He has first-round written all over him."
You can read the full story here.
As Borowsky mentioned, Jacobs didn't have much of a chance to make an impact in Iowa City last year after he got banged up. There's good reason to believe that the Oregon staff, particularly Dan Lanning, can maximize his potential and take his game to a new level in the green and yellow.
The need is certainly there for Jacobs to have a big year with Sewell headed to the NFL, and his added upside as a pass rusher only makes his addition to the roster that much more exciting.
He, along with Jordan Burch and Brandon Dorlus will play a big role in the Ducks get consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks and making the defense an asset and not a liability like they were so often in 2022.
More must-reads: