You know those players who just seem to be everywhere on the field at once? The guys who look like they have a tracking device locked onto the football? That’s basically Jacob Dobbs. If you’ve been following the Jacob Dobbs NFL draft cycle, you’ve probably realized he isn’t the loudest name in the room. He isn’t the guy with the five-star pedigree or the flashy Power 5 highlight reel that gets played on loop. But honestly, that’s exactly why he’s one of the most interesting prospects to talk about right now.
He’s a tackling machine. Seriously. Between his time at Holy Cross and his final year at James Madison University (JMU), the dude has racked up stats that look like they belong in a video game.
The Road from Holy Cross to James Madison
Jacob Dobbs didn't start his journey in the spotlight. He spent four years at Holy Cross, where he wasn’t just a good player—he was the heartbeat of that defense. We’re talking about a guy who left that program as the Patriot League’s all-time leader in tackles. 432 career tackles. That’s not a typo.
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Most players would take that resume and just hope for a late-round flyer. Dobbs didn’t. He bet on himself and transferred to JMU for the 2024 season. He wanted to prove that his production wasn't just a byproduct of "playing down" in the FCS. And he did. At James Madison, he stepped right into a high-level Sun Belt defense and continued to be a heat-seeking missile. In just nine games in 2024, he posted 74 tackles and three sacks.
It’s one thing to be productive. It’s another to be a leader. Dobbs was a four-time captain at Holy Cross. You don't see that often. Coaches love him because he’s basically a second coordinator on the field. He’s the guy making sure everyone is lined up correctly before the snap.
Why NFL Scouts Are Intrigued (and Hesitant)
Let’s be real for a second. If Dobbs were 6'3" and ran a 4.4, we wouldn't be calling him a sleeper. He’d be a first-round lock. But the NFL can be picky about measurables.
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Dobbs stands about 6'0" and weighs in around 235-237 pounds. In the modern NFL, that’s actually a pretty decent size for an off-ball linebacker, but some old-school scouts still want more "thump." However, what he lacks in sheer size, he makes up for in pure explosiveness.
During his Pro Day in March 2025, Dobbs turned some heads. He posted a vertical jump of 39.5 inches. To put that in perspective, that’s better than almost every linebacker who attended the 2025 NFL Combine. His 40-yard dash time usually clocks in around the 4.6 range—not elite, but more than fast enough to play on Sundays.
The biggest knock? Sometimes he gets caught in the wash. When a 320-pound offensive lineman gets their hands on him at the second level, it can be a struggle for him to disengage. He’s a "read-and-react" player who relies on his brain to beat the blocker to the spot. If he’s a half-step late, he can get neutralized.
Special Teams: The Secret Weapon
If you’re an undrafted or late-round linebacker, your ticket to a roster spot is special teams. Period.
Dobbs is a coach’s dream in this department. He’s disciplined, he’s a sure tackler, and he has a high football IQ. When the Baltimore Ravens invited him to their rookie minicamp in April 2025 as an undrafted free agent (UDFA), it wasn't just because of his defensive highlights. It was because they knew he could cover punts and kicks at a high level.
The Ravens are notorious for finding gems like this. They value the "underrated producer" more than almost any other franchise. For a guy like Dobbs, landing in a system that prizes intelligence and versatility is the best-case scenario.
Breaking Down the Numbers
It's easy to get lost in the "he's a good kid" narrative, but the stats back up the hype. Look at his 2023 season at Holy Cross before he moved to JMU:
- 123 total tackles
- 12 tackles for loss (TFL)
- 6 sacks
- 3 forced fumbles
That’s a "do-it-all" stat line. He isn't just a guy who waits for the runner to come to him; he’s an active playmaker in the backfield. When you transition that to the NFL, you’re looking at a player who can potentially play as a "spy" against mobile quarterbacks or a situational blitzer.
What Most People Get Wrong About Small-School Prospects
There’s this weird bias that if a guy didn't play for Alabama or Georgia, he’s somehow less "pro-ready." Honestly, that's kind of a lazy take. Players like Jacob Dobbs often have more experience because they were forced to be the primary playmaker for four or five years.
Dobbs has over 40 career starts. He’s seen every formation, every shift, and every trick play you can imagine at the collegiate level. While a high-profile recruit might have more raw athleticism, Dobbs has the "mental reps" that allow him to play faster than his 40-time suggests.
NFL speed is a real thing, though. The window to make a tackle closes twice as fast in the pros. The question for the Jacob Dobbs NFL draft story isn't whether he's a good football player—he obviously is. The question is whether his processing speed can stay ahead of the physical speed of NFL running backs.
Actionable Insights for Following the 2026 Season
If you’re tracking Dobbs or similar prospects trying to make the leap from UDFA to a permanent roster spot, here is what you need to look for:
- Watch the Preseason Snap Counts: Usually, guys like Dobbs will play the entire fourth quarter. If he’s starting to get reps in the second or third quarter with the "twos," that’s a massive sign the coaching staff trusts him.
- Special Teams Participation: Count how many "phases" he plays on. Is he on the punt return, kickoff, and field goal block units? If he’s on three or more, he’s almost lock for the 53-man roster.
- The "Weight Room" Factor: Keep an eye on his frame. If he can add 5-8 pounds of lean muscle without losing that 39-inch vertical, he becomes a much more viable option for taking on NFL guards.
Jacob Dobbs might not have been a household name on draft night, but players with his tackle production and leadership don't just disappear. He’s the type of player who ends up being a fan favorite because he simply refuses to be outworked. Whether he’s wearing a Ravens jersey or landing elsewhere after the final cuts, he’s earned every bit of the attention he’s finally getting.