Tag: Jestin Jacobs

Practice Notes: Lineman returns, linebacker absent, new walk-on shows up

Several personnel notes from Oregon’s practice on Tuesday morning, including the arrival of Jurrion Dickey’s brother, Jajuan Dickey.

There were a few things to note from the early parts of Oregon Ducks practice on Tuesday morning, with some notable personnel takeaways.

The most notable takeaway is the fact that offensive lineman Nishad Strother returned to the field in full pads for the first time since practice on August 22. While the East Carolina transfer was fully dressed, he was wearing trainers instead of cleats. The guard has been dealing with an apparent shoulder injury, and was wearing a sling on his right arm earlier in the month.

Another notable takeaway is the absence of linebacker Jestin Jacobs, who was not accounted for while the team walked onto the field. We were also unable to locate the Iowa transfer in the portion of practice that was open to media members. Jacobs has yet to play this season while ramping back up from a knee injury suffered in 2022.

Finally, a new walk-on joined the group with Jajuan Dickey in shell pads with the team. When Jurrion Dickey, the former 5-star true freshman wide receiver, signed with the team back in December, he announced that his older brother would be joining him in Eugene as a walk-on. Though Jajuan missed fall camp and the first couple of games, he is part of the team now.

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2023 Oregon Stock Draft: Picking unheralded Ducks with ‘The Flock Pod’

Once again, @ZacharyCNeel got together with the boys from @TheFlockPod to go through an Oregon Ducks stock draft. Who do you think won?

It’s becoming a time-honored tradition that I look forward to as much as anything we do each year — the annual Oregon Ducks Stock Draft conducted between Zachary Neel, and the hosts of The Flock Pod, JD Pluid, and Shane Potter.

Essentially, the trio goes through the Oregon roster and drafts unheralded players who may blow up over the season. If you were to think about it as buying stocks, the goal is to buy as low as you can and watch that stock — or player — grow and mature over the season. We did this last year and found great success. Here are the draft results from a year ago:

Zachary Neel (2022)
Kris Hutson
Christian Gonzalez
Bucky Irving
Josh Conerly Jr.

Shane Potter (2022)
Justin Flowe
Seven McGee
Jeffrey Bassa
Byron Cardwell

JD Pluid (2022)
Noah Sewell
Bo Nix
DJ Johnson
Terrence Ferguson

There were some hits and some major misses, but overall it gave us a great look at some of the guys on the roster who have a chance to break out over the coming weeks and months.

So who did everyone draft when going through the exercise ahead of the 2023 season? You can listen to the episode here:

Jestin Jacobs included on preseason watch list for Butkus Award

Oregon’s Jestin Jacobs is on the preseason watch list for the Butkus Award, which goes to the nation’s best linebacker.

This is why Oregon football and Dan Lanning brought in linebacker Jestin Jacobs over from Iowa.

The Ducks had some problems with their linebacker corps a year ago, but the addition of Jacobs should help with the talent at that spot as well as depth.

Now convincing the former Hawkeye to come out to Eugene looks like an even smarter decision as Jacobs has been included on the preseason watch list for the Butkus Award. The honor goes to the best linebacker in the nation and ironically, Jacobs played alongside last year’s winner with Iowa’s Jack Campbell.

Jacobs has seemingly put his history with the injury bug behind him and the Ducks expect him to return to his 2021 form where he accumulated 53 tackles, 33 of those of the solo variety.

 

The most important linebackers to know in the 2023 Pac-12 season

From Mason Cobb to Jestin Jacobs, the Pac-12 boasts some really talented transfer linebackers in 2023. Here are some names you need to know.

As we continue our preview of the 2023 college football season in the Pac-12 conference, we are going to shift our focus from individual teams to individual positions. The last several weeks have been spent picking apart each school out west, finding where they improved the most over the offseason, and identifying what realistic expectations should be for them going forward.

You can see them all here: Arizona Wildcats — Arizona State Sun Devils — California Golden Bears — Colorado Buffaloes — Oregon State Beavers — Stanford Cardinal — UCLA Bruins — USC Trojans — Utah Utes — Washington Huskies — Washington State Cougars

Now, we’re going to look at position groups as a whole in the conference. Whether it’s a quarterback or a linebacker, a punter or a safety, there are dozens of highly talented players out west. We want to go through them all, position group by position group, and highlight some of the most important names that fans should know at each spot.

Quarterbacks — Wide Receivers — Running Backs — Tight Ends — Offensive Line — Defensive Line

The Pac-12 may be widely regarded as an offensive league where quarterback play is king, but that has brought an increased need for strong defenses that will set a team apart from the rest.

At the middle of a strong defense is a linebacking corp that can navigate the many schemes needed to keep things running in the right direction.

While Pac-12 linebackers may not get the shine that their counterparts do in the SEC or the Big Ten, they are just as important to success out west. With the needed ability to cover in space and drive downhill to stop the run, a newer mold of LB has started to pop up in our game as of late, and a more versatile player is taking the stage.

Going into the 2023 season, there are a number of defenders at this position who are worth watching, because they could ultimately have the ability to turn a game, or a season, for their respective teams.

Here are some of the most important linebacker names that we think you need to know going into the fall.

Report: Linebacker Anthony Jones expected to enter the portal

Anthony Jones is the latest Oregon Duck to enter the transfer portal.

According to a report form Matt Zenitz of On3.com, Oregon Ducks redshirt freshman linebacker Anthony Jones is expected to leave the program and enter the transfer portal.

It’s just another hit to the linebacker depth chart for the Ducks, as they’ve seen players such as Keith Brown and Justin Flowe already leave and find new homes.

Jones wasn’t expected to be a big part of the 2023 season as Oregon has linebackers Jeffrey Bassa, Jestin Jacobs, Jamal Hill along with unproven players like Devon Jackson, Harrison Taggart, and Elijah Williams already looking to make an impact.

Jones was one of the top athletes in Nevada when he was recruited from the 2021 before coming to Oregon where he utilized his redshirt season last year.

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Dreams to Reality: Jestin Jacobs opens up about transfer to Oregon, his dream school as a kid

“I’m walking around this place like, ‘Dang, I’m really at Oregon,'” Jacobs said. “I’m finally living my dream and finally a Duck.”

When Jestin Jacobs announced his transfer to the Oregon Ducks earlier this offseason, it might have felt like a long time coming for the former Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker.

As a highly-rated recruit back in the 2019 class rated as the No. 10 LB in the nation, Jacobs had a school that he wanted to go to but was never offered.

He grew up as a huge fan of the Ducks, watching Marcus Mariota and De’Anthony Thomas roll through the Pac-12. But the path to playing inside Autzen Stadium didn’t immediately present itself.

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“Honestly, it was really my dream school since I was younger,” Jacobs said on Saturday after the Ducks’ spring scrimmage. “I grew up a huge Oregon fan. I mean it’s a little odd being from Ohio like a lot of Ohio State fans out there, so my family wasn’t too happy about it. But I’ve always been a big Oregon fan, I always followed them.”

Instead, Jacobs played his first three seasons for the Hawkeyes, and a strong sophomore showing put him on the map. However, injuries marred his time at Iowa, and he decided that it was time for a change of scenery.

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“I felt like I needed some change,” Jacobs said. “I got hurt in my last year, I had a lot of time to sit down to reflect, talk to my dad. And I realized that for me, for my next year, I really wanted a change. I wanted to change the scenery. I wanted to display my ability in a different way. So I felt like entering the transfer portal was the best for me.”

And wouldn’t you know it, his dream school reached out.

Fast forward a few months, and Jacobs is now in the thick of it during his first spring season wearing an Oregon uniform. He is competing for a starting linebacker spot, and working hard to bring a Big Ten physicality to the Pac-12. His teammates have raved about his abilities, and he’s quickly finding his footing in Eugene.

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Most days, Jacobs says he can’t help but take a second to look around and reflect on the fact that he finally ended up where his heart desired. He is finally wearing the green and yellow, wearing the Oregon ‘O’ on his chest.

“Honestly, sometimes I just sit back. I look at that ‘O.’ I’m walking around this place like, ‘Dang, I’m really at Oregon,'” Jacobs said. “I really started off dreaming of being able to come here. And now I’m here. So I mean, it’s just a great opportunity, just coming here to be able to work and I mean, I can’t take for granted every day because I’m finally living my dream and finally a Duck. I’m just loving it so far.”

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Spring Football Questions: Which defensive transfer has quickest impact?

The Ducks retooled on defense this offseason. Which incoming player will make his presence felt the quickest?

When Dan Lanning was hired after leading an all-time defensive unit at Georgia, it was assumed the Ducks would enjoy similar success.

And while Oregon might still achieve that success, it didn’t happen right away in 2022. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, like any good coach, Lanning went to work.

He focused his recruiting on the defensive side of the ball which will pay dividends in future seasons. But for 2023, Lanning was able to go into the transfer portal and sign superior talent that is going to make an impact on the Oregon program right away.

On the offensive side, he signed two linemen, Ajani Cornelius from Rhode Island and Junior Angilau from Texas, as receiver Traeshon Holden from Alabama. But it’s the defensive transfers that we’re going to take a closer look at here and how much of an impact they’ll make in 2023.

Here are our candidates for who could potentially see the biggest early-impact this year.

Transfer Profile: 5 things to know about Ducks’ new LB Jestin Jacobs

The Ducks scored a talented linebacker from Iowa in Jestin Jacobs. Here’s what you need to know about Oregon’s newest addition.

It wasn’t a name that was speculated much about when the transfer portal opened up, but the Oregon Ducks are happy this guy decided to become a Duck.

Former Iowa linebacker Jestin Jacobs announced he was leaving the Hawkeyes program and four days later, he was committing to Oregon.

It’s good timing for the Ducks as the linebacker position might be a question going into the 2023 season. Justin Flowe is transferring out and there’s a good possibility Noah Sewell might declare for the NFL whether he plays in the Holiday Bowl or not.

Jeffrey Bassa and Keith Brown were set to be the only experienced linebackers on the roster for spring practice, but having Jacobs on board alleviates some of the worries the Oregon coaching staff might have when it comes to linebacker.

Here are five things Oregon Duck football fans might want to know about the newest Duck.

Former Iowa LB Jestin Jacobs commits to Oregon

Oregon bolstered its linebacking corps for 2023 with the transfer of Jestin Jacobs from Iowa.

With Justin Flowe leaving and the distinct possibility of Noah Sewell moving on to the NFL, the Oregon Ducks football team of 2023 could be a bit light on linebackers.

But the depth chart just gained one for next season as former Iowa Hawkeye Jestin Jacobs has announced he will be an Oregon Duck for his senior season.

Jacobs played in all 14 games last season and started eight. But he suffered a season-ending injury at Rutgers in Week 3. It was an undisclosed injury that did need surgery.

Iowa expected Jacobs to return to Iowa City for 2023 before he announced via Twitter on Dec. 6 that would be entering the portal. Just a few days later, he’s an Oregon Duck.

Jestin Jacobs’ Transfer Portal Profile

Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Jestin Jacobs lost for remainder of 2022 season, other injury updates

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz revealed that linebacker Jestin Jacobs has been lost for the season and shared other injury updates.

Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz revealed today that standout linebacker Jestin Jacobs would miss the remainder of the 2022 season as he is set to undergo surgery.

“And then, on the injury front, unfortunately, we did get bad news on Jestin (Jacobs). You know, it didn’t sound good the other night and it’s been confirmed, so he’s going to have to have surgery and is going to miss the rest of the season. That’s obviously a very tough break and, you know, tough for the team, but, most importantly, just tough on the individual and that’s the worst part about injuries,” Ferentz said.

It’s a serious blow to the Hawkeyes’ defense as Jacobs is one of the unit’s top playmakers. Still, it’s obviously worse for Jacobs.

Ferentz was also asked if this surgery would keep Jacobs sidelined well beyond the 2022 season and into the 2023 NFL draft season.

“This year’s draft or next year’s draft? I’m worried about Michigan right now. I mean, I’m not looking down the road that far. But he’s out for the season if that’s what you mean. He’s out for the season. It’s just disappointing. Awful. I mean, you know, like anybody, it just stinks. I’ve said it a million times, that’s the thing about injuries that I’m not sure everybody understands. If you’re a college football player, I mean, that’s important to you to play those 12 games. That’s all that you have guaranteed. He just lost whatever we’ve got left, 10, I don’t know, nine. There’s nothing worse. And then you feel isolated.

“There’s a whole mental psychological component that comes with being injured. I can’t say enough about our training staff, not only about the job they do to physically get people back, but there’s a lot of lonely hours when you’re not involved and that’s whether you have a sprained ankle or in this case a surgery, it’s just awful. It’s terrible,” Ferentz said of Jacobs’ injury and ensuing recovery.

If Iowa wants to use some 4-3 looks, Ferentz said they still have the versatility in personnel to do so.

“Yeah, I mean, we have flexibility. Seth’s been out there before, and Jack’s played some, too, so we’ll figure that out. But we have some guys that have versatility, which is a good thing. Jestin has played inside, too, so I think that’s one thing we try to do is keep some flexibility in the system if you can,” Ferentz said.

He also updated the status of several other players as well. Defensively, Ferentz was asked about the status of cornerback Terry Roberts and if he will be available to play this week against Michigan.

“We’ll see. I mean, we’re hoping so. We’ll see,” Ferentz said of Roberts.

Asked if he’s been able to practice, Iowa’s head coach offered up the following.

“A little bit. Limited, yeah, so we’ll just see how it goes,” Ferentz said.

Ferentz also touched on the status of fellow defensive back Brenden Deasfernandes and what he’s seen from defensive backs TJ Hall and Jamison Heinz.

“Yeah, Brenden is still out, unfortunately, and the other two guys have stepped up and done a good job. We’re getting a little thin, but that’s the world we live in, and those guys are doing a good job. We’ll just keep pushing forward,” Ferentz said.

Lastly, Iowa will still be without one of its top pass-catching threats in wide receiver Keagan Johnson.

“And then Keagan right now will not be going this week, so we’ll take that a day at a time, a week at a time and just keep moving forward there,” Ferentz said.

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