Evan Jacobson

Physical Profile

Exceptional vertical length at 6-7 with arms that play even longer — easily the most distinguishing trait in the 2026 TE class at his ranking tier. Frame is currently lean at 220-230 and clearly built to carry another 20-25 functional pounds without sacrificing fluidity. Hip flexibility and change-of-direction are above average for the height, a direct byproduct of high-level basketball reps, and he sinks into breaks more naturally than most prospects in this size band.

Play Style

Tape shows a vertical-stretching seam threat who plays bigger than his already-elite measurables because of basketball-trained spatial awareness. He runs past or through high school defenders rather than around them, frequently boxing out at the catch point and using long arms to swat away contact. As a blocker he is engaged and physical rather than dominant — wins through positioning and length more than pop. Lines up flexed, in-line, and as an oversized slot, suggesting a coaching staff that already views him as a multi-aligned hybrid.

Strengths

• Catch radius and contested-catch ability — basketball-trained hands and the ability to high-point or shield with his frame turn 50/50 balls into manufactured completions, particularly in the red zone where his height becomes a structural advantage
• Mismatch versatility — he is too big for safeties and too fluid for most linebackers, with the tape showing him split out wide, flexed into the slot, and aligned in-line, which fits cleanly into modern hybrid Y/F usage
• Competitive blocking demeanor — uses length and basketball-style positioning to wall off and stalk in the run game, a willing finisher rather than a finesse-only receiving option

Areas to Improve

• Functional mass and play strength — at 220-225, he will get displaced by SEC edge defenders in the inline run game until he gets to roughly 245-250 in a college program; this is the single biggest gating factor on his early playing time
• Route nuance versus equivalent athletes — Iowa 4A defenders rarely test him, so he wins by being bigger rather than by tempo manipulation, stem deception, or release diversity, all of which need development to translate to the SEC

College Projection

Most likely redshirts in 2026 to add 20+ pounds and acclimate to SEC strength demands. By Year 2 he profiles as a rotational TE2 in 12 personnel and a designated red-zone target where his height neutralizes most coverage. Year 3 starter projection is realistic with a sophomore breakout in line if the weight gain holds, particularly in A&M's tight end usage under the current staff. Floor is a reliable rotational piece; ceiling is an All-SEC seam-stretcher.

NFL Outlook

Day 2-3 draft projection is on the table specifically because of the size/length combination — NFL evaluators routinely overpay for 6-7 tight ends with proven hands. Realistic ceiling is a mid-round developmental Y/F who carves out a long career as a sub-package and red-zone specialist. Floor as a priority free agent or late Day 3 pick if the play strength never catches up to the frame. The basketball background is a meaningful tiebreaker in this archetype.

Best Fit

A pro-style or spread offense that lives in 12 personnel and treats the tight end as a true field-stretcher rather than a sixth lineman. Texas A&M is a strong scheme fit — Mike Elko's staff has used TEs as legitimate vertical pieces, and the SEC strength program is exactly the environment that will accelerate the necessary weight gain. Any system that flexes him out and isolates him on linebackers in the red zone will maximize what is already a premium trait profile.