Curtis Jacobs discusses which young Penn State players he's excited for this fall
Penn State linebacker Curtis Jacobs joined the BWI Live Show on Thursday to discuss his transition to the NFL. He also discussed which player he sees taking a step this fall for his former team. Check out the full interview embedded in this article.
Jacobs miffed by Penn State tight end rankings
During the Tuesday BWI Live show on May 7, Jacobs joined the live chat to express his support for tight end Andrew Rappleyea. On3’s national columnist, Jesse Simonton, put out a list of the top ten tight-end rooms returning for 2024. Penn State was noticeably not on the list.
After expressing his support for Rappleyea in the chat, Jacobs joined the show later that week to give his thoughts.
“In my opinion, it’s honestly disrespectful. I know what I’ve seen from those guys. From that room top down,” Jacobs said. “Like Tyler Warren, a guy that honestly is probably tight end one off the board next year. And then you just keep going down the list. You got Khalil Dinkins, a proven guy you have rapidly stepping up you have the freshmen coming in, in January.”
So what makes him think that Rappleyea is a future All-American? As a player who has to cover tight ends, hhe sees the tools to succeed at a high level.
“You just you see those raw traits, kind of traits that I saw in Tyler Warren as well. Not as great with the ball in his hands. But you see the attacking the ball, the catching point, you see the elite routes that honestly there’s receivers out here that can run routes like that. And then you just see how he’s developing and continue to get bigger and continue to be more physical in the run game.”
Other Penn State players Jacobs is high on
Jacobs said that he’s been plugged into Penn State spring practice and watching what’s been happening with his team, even after his departure. He’s very high on several defensive players for this upcoming season.
“I was really excited for Tony Rojas and Keon Wylie, two guys that I’ve been able to work with. Obviously, Keon has a little setback right now.”
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For more on Wylie’s injury, check out an update from Nate Bauer on the situation.
Additionally, Jacobs is another football mind jumping on the bandwagon for defensive end Jameial Lyons.
“We got Jameial Lyons. I think he’s a future first-round guy; Zakee Wheatley. It’s just a bunch of guys, especially on the defensive side, who are going to step into bigger roles, and I’m really excited for them.”
NFL Dreams come true even if they weren’t how he imagined at first
Despite going undrafted, Jacobs is excited for his new home with the Kansas City Chiefs, who he signed with as an undrafted free agent after the conclusion of the 2024 NFL Draft.
“It’s definitely surreal. You step into the locker room, and you see Pat Mahomes’ locker [and] Travis Kelce’s locker guys, who have been superstars in his league for a while.”
Finally, Jacobs has a firm idea of how he’ll work his way into a permanent roster spot with the Chiefs. While he went there with an eye towards playing and competing on defense, he’s starting with the basics.
“I feel like that’s that’s my way in just being able to be an elite special teams guy. That’s what Penn State really teaches you just developing all those little aspects. So when my opportunity does come on defense has been able to maximize it.”
