Curtis Jacobs Bio
Curtis Jerome Jacobs Jr. (born February 18, 2002) is an American professional football linebacker. Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing around 240 pounds, he plays the position with a blend of speed, instincts, and physicality that has allowed him to compete at multiple levels of the sport. After a distinguished college career at Penn State, Jacobs signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2024 and has since bounced between several NFL organizations, currently listed with the New York Giants. His journey from a highly recruited prep standout in Maryland to a professional linebacker illustrates the determination required to succeed in modern football.
Early Life and Background
Curtis Jerome Jacobs Jr. was born on February 18, 2002, in Glen Burnie, Maryland. He grew up in the Baltimore metropolitan area, a region well known for producing tough and athletic football players. From a young age, Jacobs showed a passion for competition and a natural feel for the defensive side of the ball, traits that would later define his professional identity as a linebacker.
Jacobs attended the McDonogh School in Owings Mills, Maryland, where he developed into one of the most sought-after defensive prospects in the state. At McDonogh, he lined up at both wide receiver and defensive back, showcasing his versatility and athleticism on both sides of the football. His performance in high school earned him a selection to the prestigious 2020 Under Armour All-America Game, an honor reserved for the nation’s top high school football talent.
Following his senior season, Jacobs committed to Penn State University, choosing the Nittany Lions over several other scholarship offers. The decision allowed him to remain close to home while competing in the Big Ten Conference, one of college football’s most storied leagues. His prep résumé, highlighted by his All-America appearance, positioned him as a player to watch once he arrived in State College.
Path to American Football
Jacobs arrived at Penn State in 2020 and quickly adapted to the speed and complexity of college football. As a true freshman, he appeared in eight games and recorded nine tackles while learning the linebacker position. The limited but meaningful playing time gave the coaching staff confidence that he could handle the demands of major college football and prepared him for a larger role the following season.
In his sophomore campaign in 2021, Jacobs earned a starting role and delivered one of the strongest seasons of his college career. Over 12 games, he tallied 61 tackles, three sacks, and an interception, demonstrating his ability to impact the game as both a run defender and a pass rusher. His production confirmed his status as a foundational piece of the Penn State defense.
Jacobs continued to ascend during the 2022 season, starting all 12 games and registering 52 tackles, four sacks, and an interception returned for a touchdown. Despite his strong junior season, he chose to return to Penn State for his senior year in 2023, opting to further develop his game rather than enter the NFL Draft. The decision reflected both his confidence in his trajectory and his desire to refine his skills before turning professional.
Curtis Jacobs Career
Early Career (2024)
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Curtis Jerome Jacobs Jr. signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. The opportunity placed him within one of the league’s most successful organizations, providing valuable access to elite coaching and a championship-caliber locker room. He was also selected by the DC Defenders in the eighth round of the 2024 UFL Draft on July 17, an indication of the broader professional interest in his skill set.
Jacobs’ initial stint in Kansas City was brief. On August 27, 2024, he was waived by the Chiefs as the team finalized its regular-season roster. Despite the short tenure, the experience offered a firsthand look at NFL standards and expectations, lessons that would shape his approach as he transitioned to his next opportunity.
New England Patriots (2024–2025)
On August 28, 2024, just one day after his release from Kansas City, Curtis Jerome Jacobs Jr. was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots. The move gave him a clear pathway to regular-season playing time in a defense known for its emphasis on fundamentals and discipline. He appeared in nine games for New England during the 2024 season, contributing four combined tackles while continuing to adjust to the pace and demands of professional football.
Jacobs’ time with New England ended on March 21, 2025, when he was released as the team reshaped its linebacker group during the offseason. Although his snap count was limited, his ability to remain on an active roster throughout an entire NFL season represented an important milestone in his professional development.
Tennessee Titans (2025)
On March 24, 2025, Curtis Jerome Jacobs Jr. was claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans, marking his third NFL organization in less than a year. The Titans provided another chance to compete for a depth role within their linebacker rotation. He was waived on August 27, 2025, as Tennessee trimmed its roster ahead of the regular season.
Jacobs returned to the Tennessee Titans later in 2025, signing with the team’s practice squad on September 26. His second stint with the organization was also short-lived, as he was waived on October 21, 2025. The repeated movements through practice squad and active roster transactions reflect the precarious nature of life at the bottom of an NFL depth chart.
New York Giants Era (2025–Present)
On September 16, 2025, Curtis Jerome Jacobs Jr. signed with the New York Giants practice squad, joining one of the NFL’s most historic franchises. The move offered a fresh opportunity to impress a new coaching staff and earn a longer-term role within the organization. His time on the Giants’ practice squad was brief, as he was released on September 23, 2025.
Despite the short stay, Jacobs’ most recent affiliation with the New York Giants represents his current professional listing. He continues to pursue opportunities across the league, relying on his college pedigree and prior NFL game experience to secure his next opportunity.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Curtis Jerome Jacobs Jr.’s career are his selection to the 2020 Under Armour All-America Game, a mark of elite prep status, and his consistent production at Penn State across four collegiate seasons. His ability to record sacks and interceptions at the college level demonstrated his versatility as a modern linebacker. Reaching and playing in NFL regular-season games as an undrafted player remains a notable accomplishment in his young professional journey.
Curtis Jacobs Career Wins
As a linebacker, Curtis Jerome Jacobs Jr.’s statistical achievements are measured primarily through tackles, sacks, and interceptions rather than traditional win totals. Across his college career at Penn State, he accumulated more than 120 tackles, multiple sacks, and interceptions, including a pick-six in 2022. His professional statistical résumé currently includes four combined tackles recorded during his time with the New England Patriots in 2024.
Penn State Highlights
During his four seasons with the Penn State Nittany Lions, Curtis Jerome Jacobs Jr. emerged as a reliable starter and productive defender. His sophomore season in 2021 produced 61 tackles, three sacks, and an interception, while his junior year in 2022 added 52 tackles, four sacks, and a touchdown via interception return. Those numbers cemented his place among the program’s recent linebacker standouts.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his college statistics, Curtis Jerome Jacobs Jr. earned recognition through his selection to the 2020 Under Armour All-America Game, one of the premier showcases for high school football talent. His ability to appear in nine NFL regular-season games as an undrafted free agent also stands as a meaningful professional milestone.
Curtis Jacobs Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Curtis Jerome Jacobs Jr.’s immediate family remains limited. He was raised in the Glen Burnie area of Maryland and attended the McDonogh School in nearby Owings Mills, where his football talents were refined before college. Detailed records about his parents and siblings are not widely documented in verified sources.
Personal Life
Curtis Jerome Jacobs Jr. maintains a presence on social media, where fans can follow his professional football journey. Beyond his commitment to the sport, few additional details about his personal life have been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a period of transition for Curtis Jerome Jacobs Jr., marked by multiple moves between NFL organizations. After being released by the New England Patriots in March, he was claimed by the Tennessee Titans, waived in late August, and then returned to the Titans’ practice squad in late September before another release in October. Each transaction reflects the competitive nature of linebacker depth charts across the league.
His brief practice squad stints with the New York Giants in mid-September 2025 further underscored the fluid nature of his 2025 campaign. While on-field statistical production has been limited due to short tenures, his continued movement through organizations indicates that teams remain interested in his skill set and college pedigree.
Looking ahead, Curtis Jerome Jacobs Jr. will aim to secure a more stable roster position and accumulate meaningful regular-season snaps. His combination of collegiate experience, prior NFL game action, and positional versatility position him to compete for a depth linebacker role as the 2025 season progresses.