“(I enjoyed) just being around the players and creating that bond, and seeing myself playing here at Tennessee. Just building a relationship, pretty much.”
Illinois hosted Jacas on an official visit the weekend of Nov. 27 for its regular-season finale against in-state rival Northwestern. He also took an official visit to USF earlier this week before visiting the Vols.
“I’ve still got some thinking to do, for sure,” he said. “Tennessee’s really top-two. You’ll have to see on Wednesday when I sign those papers.
“Making the right decision for my family and me, that’s pretty much the big thing.”
Jacas spent most of his time this weekend with Tennessee defensive line coach
Rodney Garner, who has more than 25 years of experience as an SEC defensive line coach. Jacas said Garner’s track record of developing defensive linemen is “pretty big” to him, “because he’s put some guys in the League.”
“Coach Garner, he’s a good coach,” Jacas said. “Been coaching in the SEC for 32 years, so it’s been good. … He has that background. He really checks the boxes in that area, in coaching.”
While Jacas is currently rated as an edge rusher, and several other teams are recruiting him as a projected edge rusher, he said Tennessee is recruiting him to play “strongside defensive end.” Jacas, who’s also a state champion wrestler, said the Vols envision him “just being impactful” on the defensive line.
“They want me. They need me,” he said. “(They want me) coming in the program, having an opportunity to play right away, so that’s the big thing.
“They say I’m aggressive, able to bend, use my hands. Very explosive, athletic. They talked a lot about my wrestling background, as well. That’s pretty much a big factor, as well, in my recruitment.”
He admitted he’s intrigued by his opportunity to compete for early playing time on the defensive line, where Tennessee is set to lose at least a few experienced seniors after this season.
“Obviously, I’ve got to work for it,” Jacas said. “Nothing’s going to be given to me. They can’t guarantee a spot. I have to work for it. But I have an opportunity to go in there and compete for a spot, for sure.”
Jacas said he also likes that “it’s SEC — the best of the best.” Tennessee and Mississippi State are the only two SEC teams that have extended offers to him.
“I like playing with the best of the best to challenge myself,” he said.
The Vols’ campus and facilities, he said, were “pretty much what I expected.” But he said that’s not one of the most important factors to him in deciding on a school. He said he was impressed by “just the fan base” at Tennessee.
“It’s a college city,” Jacas said. “Everything is about football. Everything is for the players — whatever they need. … (The facilities are) pretty much what I expected. But that’s not really what I look for. Just the coaching staff is what’s important for me.”
Jacas said he plans to announce his final decision and sign on Early Signing Day, which is Wednesday. He intends to enroll at the school of his choice after graduating in May.
