Ole Miss Peach Bowl Preview: Meeting Penn State LB Curtis Jacobs

Penn State junior Curtis Jacobs will be leading the Nittany Lions' linebacker corps when they take on the Ole Miss Rebels in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl.

The No. 11 Ole Miss Rebels and No. 10 Penn State Nittany Lions are preparing for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Dec. 30 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and part of that preparation involves scouting.

The Rebels and Nittany Lions have never faced one another on the gridiron, so many Ole Miss fans may be unfamiliar with the Penn State program under James Franklin. It never hurts to familiarize yourself with the next opponent on the schedule, so why not start now?

That's where The Grove Report comes in. Over the next few days, we will dive in to the Nittany Lions on a position-by-position basis, giving you a look at what Penn State is expected to field on that Saturday in Atlanta. This is a New Year's Six bowl game after all, so the stakes are rather high.

We have already previewed the Nittany Lions' defensive line talent, and today we will take a look at their linebacker corps.

Oct 22, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Curtis Jacobs (23) pressures Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Mohamed Ibrahim (24) during the third quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Minnesota 45-17. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports   / © Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

LB Curtis Jacobs

High School: McDonogh School (Maryland)

Height: 6-1

Weight: 235

2023 Stats: 47 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries

Jacobs finished third on the Nittany Lions in total tackles (47) and second in TFLs (eight) this season, and will be the thumper on Penn State's defense primarily focused on stopping Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins. 

The former four-star recruit was rated as the No. 3 player in the state of Maryland and the No. 7 linebacker in the 2020 cycle, per On3's database.

Kickoff between Ole Miss and Penn State on Dec. 30 is set for 11 a.m. CT, and the game will be televised on ESPN.