Oregon Linebacker Jestin Jacobs 'Back at 100%' in Spring Practice

The Iowa transfer is expected to play a big role in 2023, especially given the movement the Ducks have seen at the position.

Jestin Jacobs was making a name for himself as one of the best linebackers in the country at Iowa.

But after getting dinged up early in the season, he missed a few games. When he returned to action the injury got worse and he would require season-ending surgery. 

Since his surgery he's transferred to Oregon and is back at full health during spring football.

"I feel like I'm back at 100%," Jacobs said after Saturday's practice. "The staff did a great job of getting me in, getting to work first day. Getting my arm back right in the weight room, just them working with me. Whether it was modifying a certain lift or something like that. I feel like they really got me right and I feel like I'm 100% playing with no thoughts about it."

Now that he's fully recovered, he's able to put all of his focus into learning Dan Lanning's defense, fulfilling a childhood dream along the way.

"Honestly it was really my dream school since I was younger. I grew up a huge Oregon fan," he said about why he picked Oregon. "It's a little odd being from Ohio, a lot of O-State fans there so family wasn't too happy about it. Once I got the opportunity to come here, hopefully this is my last year--so I had to just take the opportunity."

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The Hawkeyes have been known to consistently field great defenses, so why leave Iowa?

"I felt like I needed some change," he said of the decision to transfer. "I got hurt in my last year. I had a lot of time to sit down and reflect. Talk to my Dad. I realized for my next year I really wanted a change of scenery. I wanted to display my ability in a different way, so I felt like entering the transfer portal was the best decision for me."

Since making the move out West Jacobs has been able to display his ability in a different way, stepping into a leadership role despite being a new face on the team. Dan Lanning and Tosh Lupoi's defense appears to be tailor-made for a linebacker like him--one that can cover, tackle and rush the passer.

"So far I've loved it. I love the defense," Jacobs. "I love how it gives us opportunities to make plays, run around, really be sideline to sideline, get to the quarterback. It's really a defense where if you're versatile you can play in so many different positions. It puts you in so many different positions to succeed and I feel like I really love that about the defense."

Expectations should only grow for Jacobs in 2023 after linebacker Keith Brown entered the transfer portal last weekend. He and Arizona State transfer Connor Soelle are the veterans that will work alongside returner Jeffrey Bassa to hold down the second level in Oregon's defense.

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Jacobs said there's been a learning curve since his arrival in Eugene, but the staff is doing all they can to get him up to speed.

"It's definitely a learning curve at first, but the staff has really did a good job just staying here, giving me extra time, going over the plays," he said. "I meet with Kam (Araghi) a lot on the staff. He's really helped me just going through the walkthroughs, going through practice. Just so when I get on the field I can be more comfortable, I can play fast and not really think as much."

Dan Lanning and the staff are working to build out the depth at inside linebacker this spring after Jamal Hill moved down from safety to inside linebacker and added some significant weight.

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