Illinois edge Gabe Jacas benefited from NIL; boosted draft stock

Illinois edge Gabe Jacas is a NFL Draft prospect who has really seen his stock rise over the past couple months. He now projects as a late 2nd rounder, which is significantly higher than what was forecasted for him during the college football season. The Big Ten regular season leader in sacks, Jacas could have racked up even gaudier numbers had (then, but now former) Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry utilized him more properly by calling more blitz packages.

Of course that is neither here nor there, as Henry has moved to Notre Dame, Illinois has a new DC in Bobby Hauck and Jacas augmented his stock through the predraft evaluative process.

And the secret to success might be something that you would not suspect- NIL (Name Image and Likeness). At least according to Jacas' college coach, Bret Bielema.

"I have a couple players that I think if revenue share and NIL didn't exist, those guys would not have went on to the NFL, and in my opinion, they're making better choice," Bielema said at the Omni in Indianapolis, ahead of his school's men's basketball team competing in the Final Four.

"I think Gabe Jacas is going to be a great example. Gabe, a year ago, decided to come back and stay with us, And I think he's elevated to his draft stock from where he was a year ago at this time and he'll get rewarded for a lifetime for that."

It's true, before NIL (or what it has become these days, basically, pay-for-play) existed, guys who badly needed money had to go professional, as soon as possible. Their options were limited, versus the current landscape, where college football players can get paid while still in school. Now guys can make money while still working on honing their craft, and augmenting their skill sets for the next level.

Bielema made these remarks within the context of discussing the overall state of collegiate athletics. Much has been made, especially lately, about all that is wrong with big time revenue-producing college sports. Bielema wanted to focus on what is right these days.

"And I think because of that, there's something that we got to hang on to, in light of all the negative things that people can say," Bielema continued. The positives are, we're allowing to get guys probably better developed for that next level.

"The NFL wants developed players as well. They don't want underdeveloped. They don't want guys that aren't ready. They want guys that are ready and that's what makes it exciting."

Bielema is absolutely right- the league wants guys who are closer to becoming the finished product; more than they covet project picks. Entering the season, it was well known how much potential Jacas had.

After another year in school, he has all of that, plus more polish.

This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: NIL helped Gabe Jacas polish his skill set for NFL, says Bret Bielema