Curtis Jacobs signs on for East-West Shrine Bowl
Penn State linebacker Curtis Jacobs capped his career with the Nittany Lions in the Peach Bowl. The performance wasn’t his final one of the cycle, though.
Announced via social media, Jacobs will appear again next month when he suits up in the East-West Shrine Bowl.
The annual showcase game brings together many of the best college football seniors to play a final game in front of NFL scouts. This year’s all-star game will be held on Thursday, Feb. 1, in Frisco, Texas at the Ford Center at The Star.
Curtis Jacobs declares for NFL Draft
With a bonus year of eligibility remaining, the Class of 2020 enrollee announced on Dec. 15 that he had decided to pursue a professional career.
“I want to start by thanking my family and all who have supported me through this long journey,” Jacobs wrote on Twitter. “I’ve dedicated my life to this game, and the consistent love and support from you is what fuels me every day as I continue. Thank you to my Penn State family, coaches, players and fans. My time here has been very special and I will never forget it. I gave everything I had on the field for my brothers and I have made relationships that will last a lifetime. I am truly thankful for the opportunity and experience.
“With that being said, I will be declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft. I am excited to be embarking on this new opportunity and fulfilling a lifelong dream. There is still unfinished business for this season. I am excited to compete with my brothers one last time in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta.”
Penn State career comes to a close
Over four seasons with the Nittany Lions, Jacobs produced 172 tackles with 9.5 sacks. Spurred into action as a true freshman in 2020, Jacobs moved throughout the linebacker room into a senior season in which he finished with 50 tackles with 2.5 sacks.
In the process, he developed into a more prepared player to take the next step toward his NFL career, he said.
“I feel like I’m in a way better position than I was last year,” Jacobs said last month. “Just being able to gain an extra year of experience. I can honestly say right now I wasn’t ready for the NFL last year based on conversations I had with coaches and family. All that. I don’t think I was ready to put myself in that position.
“So, I feel like I have to have that same process this year and see if I’m really ready or not. So it just comes down to having those conversations and seeing what’s going on.”
