Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1276571
reshman linebacker Curtis Jacobs un- derstands just how high the expecta- tions are for him heading into his collegiate career. Not only was the Glen Burnie, Md., resident considered by many fans to be the leader of Penn State's Class of 2020, but he also ended up being the highest-ranked recruit when it was all said and done. Not bad for a player who never truly focused on the linebacker po- sition during his four years at McDonogh High. "I technically still haven't really even played linebacker yet, other than the [Under Armour] All-American Game," Jacobs said. "I just kind of played every- thing [in high school]. I played safety and linebacker. I played a lot of defensive end last season [and] wide receiver on offense. Getting a feel for all of those definitely made me a better all-around player. I feel like I can do anything the team needs." Fortunately for Jacobs, he should have at least one year to adjust, with both Brandon Smith and Lance Dixon ahead of him at the Sam outside linebacker posi- tion. But if you had told him two years ago what his future held, Jacobs would never have thought he'd end up on the defensive side of the ball, let alone at linebacker. That is, until he met his future defensive coordinator. "It was actually Coach [Brent] Pry who told me I was going to be a defensive guy at the next level," Jacobs said. "Before that, I didn't know or even really think about playing defense in college. That all started at the Penn State camp." Jacobs came to Penn State in June 2018 with the idea of earning a scholarship to play wide receiver. By then, a dozen schools had already made that move. Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Pitt and Virginia all wanted him, but his fu- ture position remained a mystery. At 6- foot-1, 220 pounds, Jacobs had the size to 5t in at a number of spots. Florida had him play tight end at a camp, while other schools mentioned wide receiver and safety. A9er having that conversation with Pry, Jacobs said that he wasn't frustrated when he learned that Penn State wasn't interested in him as a wide receiver. In fact, it was quite the opposite. "Honestly, it gave me a lot of con5- dence," he said. "When you come for one position and you do well at it, but then they also show you that you can play a whole di7erent position and be even bet- ter, it really gives you a di7erent kind of con5dence." Jacobs le9 Penn State with an o7er that day, and it didn't take long for the Nittany Lions to become the team to beat. By then, he had already visited once, check- ing out a spring practice session in April 2018. He followed that up with a trip in November to see Penn State's 22-10 win over Wisconsin. Come Christmastime, Jacobs was down to 10 schools. Duke, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, Notre Dame, Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Wisconsin all made the cut, but in reality, he already knew where he wanted to go. "Penn State was de5nitely out front the entire time," Jacobs said. He ended up announcing his commit- ment to the Nittany Lions while on cam- pus for a junior day on Feb. 2, 2019. From that moment forward, Jacobs never once wavered, even though several schools tried to persuade him to take an o8cial visit the following spring. At the time, he was joined in the class by linebacker Der- rick Wingo, cornerback Josh Moten and o7ensive lineman Grant Toutant. All three ended up at other schools. "I never even thought about other schools once I committed," he said. "That's just not who I am. Once you give your word, that's it. But I also never had a reason to look elsewhere. Penn State has everything I need." One factor that helped in6uence his de- cision early was Penn State's history at the linebacker position. Jacobs said that the school's Linebacker U reputation is something he's discussed with Pry on multiple occasions. "It kind of helped because I always knew I had to make that transition," he said. "I was never really a true linebacker in high school, so if I'm going to make that move, it's nice being coached by somebody who has put people in a posi- tion to succeed before." Jacobs enrolled at Penn State on June 21. He was fortunate to have a personal Jacobs finds just the right fit at a new position | F CLICK HERE to see video of Jacobs in action. U P C L O S E & P E R S O N A L THE JACOBS FILE STATS Made 36 tackles, including 15 tackles for loss and five sacks, as a senior at McDonogh High... Caught 55 passes for 1,015 yards and 12 TDs as a junior HONORS Named a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, as well as the No. 6 inside linebacker nationally, No. 4 prospect in Maryland and No. 60 overall prospect in the country... Was a three-time All-District and All-MIAA choice... Chosen to play in the Under Armour All-America Game