Training with former NFL All-Pro brought change in Patriots rookie LB

New England Patriots rookie edge rusher Gabe Jacas' career took a different trajectory after he spent a week in Atlanta working out with four-time Pro Bowler and former First-Team All-Pro linebacker Justin Houston.

Former Patriots director of skill development Joe Kim, who spent time working as the skill development coordinator at Illinois, linked Jacas up with Houston when the young defender asked about the best way to spend his time.

“What he learned from Justin changed him a little bit,” Kim said, via Boston Herald's Doug Kyed. “When they get somebody that’s been there, done that, telling him to do it, it hits a little differently. So when I got him in front of somebody that’s a positive influence, like Justin Houston, and he invested the time to go train with him, he came back with a whole different outlook of, ‘what do I put in my body? What’s my workout plan? What’s my skill development plan every day? What am I going to do during training camp?’”

Jacas was one of the most violent edge rushers in the country in college football. He recorded four sacks in back-to-back college seasons before improving to eight sacks in 2024 and a career-high 11 sacks in 2025. The former Illinois standout also has three forced fumbles in each of his last two seasons.

He's an explosive playmaker who plays with a relentless force on defense. The Patriots wanted him badly enough that they were willing to trade up in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft to get him.

Jacas is all business on the football field, and he has an incredibly high ceiling that might finally solve the Patriots' need for a true No. 1 edge rusher.