Evan Jacobson
Bio
Recruiting
Scouting Report
Evan Jacobson is a 6-foot-7, 220-230 pound tight end from Waukee, Iowa, and a consensus four-star prospect (No. 1 player in Iowa per 247Sports, top-10 national TE per Rivals) who committed to Texas A&M on July 24, 2025 over Notre Dame, Iowa State and Stanford. A genuine dual-sport recruit who will also play basketball for the Aggies, he projects as a high-major starting tight end with intriguing matchup-nightmare upside rooted in elite size and a basketball skill set.
Physical Profile
Jacobson offers a rare, towering 6'7" frame with the length and catch radius that defensive coordinators cannot easily account for. His basketball background as a 4A all-state forward (18.3 ppg) shows up in his light feet, body control, and ability to contort and high-point the ball over smaller defenders. At 220-230 pounds he still has a young, fillable frame and the wingspan to add functional mass without losing the mobility that defines his game. The measurables fit the modern field-stretching, red-zone seam-busting 'move/Y' tight end profile to a tee.
Play Style
Jacobson plays like a converted big man — a positional-rebounder mentality applied to football. On film he wins with length and timing rather than twitch, using his body to shield defenders, work back to the quarterback, and turn 50/50 throws into completions. He's most dangerous in the red zone and on seam/over routes where his catch point is simply higher than anyone can reach. He's a one-speed but high-effort mover who finishes blocks and shows competitive toughness, the hallmarks of a basketball scorer who can 'put it on the floor, work the post, and create space with his body.'
Strengths
- Elite catch radius and contested-catch ability — leverages 6'7" length and basketball-bred body control to box out defenders, high-point throws, and present a massive target up the seam and along the back line of the end zone (a natural red-zone weapon)
- Encouraging hands and spatial awareness as a pass-catcher with sneaky run-after-catch ability; per 247Sports' Gabe Brooks he 'finds vulnerable spots' as a short-to-intermediate target and showed rising production (5 receiving TDs, IFCA second-team all-state as a junior)
- Willing, committed blocker who plays with consistent strength and flashes hand pop — not just a finesse pass-catcher, which raises his floor as an in-line option
Areas to Improve
- Sudden explosion and play speed — evaluators flag him as a 'one-speed' athlete; improving short-area burst and acceleration out of breaks would unlock the big-play element his frame promises
- Lower-body strength and overall mass to anchor as a true in-line Y at the SEC level; needs an NFL-style strength program to hold up against power-conference edge defenders while maintaining route mobility
College Projection
Likely a developmental redshirt or rotational year early at Texas A&M while he adds mass and refines route nuance, then a multi-year starter at the Y. Splitting time with basketball may slow his football-only physical development slightly, but his ceiling as a matchup-problem pass-catcher gives him a clear path to a featured red-zone and seam role in the SEC by his second or third season.
NFL Outlook
As a four-star (0.8967 composite) with rare size and translatable basketball traits, Jacobson profiles as a legitimate eventual NFL Draft candidate if he develops. The comparison archetype is the converted-hoops, big-bodied receiving tight end; his draft stock will hinge on whether he can add the explosion and in-line strength to be more than a situational red-zone target. Mid-round upside with developmental Day 2 potential if the burst improves.
Best Fit
A pro-style or spread offense that deploys a true Y/move tight end and prioritizes him in the red zone and on vertical seam concepts — exactly what Texas A&M's SEC offense can offer. He maximizes in a scheme that flexes him out to create mismatches against linebackers and safeties while still asking him to block in-line, letting his catch radius and basketball instincts carry the receiving load rather than relying on raw speed.
Player Comparison
Similar size at 6'5" 230 lbs with an Iowa background that emphasizes fundamentals and high football IQ. Hockenson was also a highly-rated recruit who developed into a reliable, technically sound player with the versatility to play multiple roles, matching this prospect's strong evaluation metrics and regional dominance.