RECRUITING PROFILE: Nick Jacobs

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LSU offer ‘a dream come true’ for TE/OL Jacobs

By RICHARD MEEK
Tiger Rag Recruiting Contributor

Long before Many tight end Nick Jacobs drew the attention of such high-profile suitors as Alabama, Ole Miss and Mississippi State, his choice of college was set.

Jacobs’ epiphany came during his sophomore season when he set as his goal playing for LSU.

“This is a dream come true,” said Jacobs while taking his official visit this past weekend with the Tigers. “I’m excited to be here this weekend. I’m meeting all of the coaches and having a good time.”

The next step may be where to play the 6-foot-5, 265-pound Jacobs, who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.83 seconds. Many coach Keith Menard is not so sure.

Admitting Jacobs has “all of the tools” to be a tight end, Menard is quick to add left tackle might be his best position.

“(LSU coach) Les Miles likes him at tight end,” Menard said. “He’s a much improved pass catcher.

“With his build, he could be 300 pounds and still look thin. Have you seen many 300-pound tight ends?”

“He loves to block and can dominate the line of scrimmage,” Menard added. “He can also play defensive end.”

Not so fast, Jacobs counters. He said he was recruited as a tight end and that’s where he’ll stay.

“It’s a lot of fun catching passes, scoring touchdowns and getting people in the stands excited,” said Jacobs, who had 13 receptions for 206 yards and two touchdowns, both coming in a 43-7 rout of Oakdale in the season opener this past season.

“I do like to block,” added Jacobs, who is a starter on the Tigers’ basketball team. “I like going down and making a block and have people in the stands ask, ‘How did he do that?’”

Jacobs is one of three tight ends in the 2010 class, joining Cameron Fordham of Northview High School in Duluth, Ga., and Travis Dickson of Ocean Springs Highs School in Ocean Springs, Ms. Fordham, and defensive end Houston Bates of St. Paul’s in Covington are likely to be red-shirted and are expected to be moved to the offensive line in the Tigers’ continuing effort to bolster an area that sorely lacks in experience.

Because of his size, diversity and ability to dominate as a blocker, Jacobs may have the best chance of starting as a freshman.

“I have the confidence I can come in and start,” he said. “The coaches have already told me that. I believe I will fit into (coach Les Miles’) system because I am a good blocker and catch the ball well.”

“He has a lot of upside,” Menard said. “They pay (the LSU coaches) a lot of money to make those decisions and they will have it figured out (by the fall).”