Illinois' Gabe Jacas, Xavier Scott Named to Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

Illinois football continued to earn national recognition this week as seniors Gabe Jacas and Xavier Scott were named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy preseason watch list, awarded annually to college football’s top defensive player. The duo’s inclusion highlights Illinois’ growing reputation for producing elite defenders and sets the stage for another impact season on that side of the ball in 2025.

Two of the nation's best on the defensive side of the ball.

Gabe Jacas and Xavier Scott earn spots on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list. pic.twitter.com/NUsLxUyAjW
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) July 29, 2025

Presented by the Football Writers Association of America, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy is one of the sport’s most prestigious defensive honors. Past recipients include college football legends such as Ndamukong Suh, Chase Young and Will Anderson Jr. – a group both Jacas and Scott will now aim to join as they enter their final seasons in Champaign.

Jacas earned All-Big Ten third team honors in 2024 after wreaking havoc on Big Ten blockers off the edge all season. He racked up 74 total tackles, 8.0 sacks, and three forced fumbles, ranking among the Big Ten leaders in multiple categories. A relentless pass rusher with elite closing speed, Jacas enters 2025 as the heartbeat of Illinois’ front seven and a potential first-round pick in next year's NFL Draft.

When a guy jumps out the way I weren’t expecting…gotta share it with you guys.

Illinois ED Gabe Jacas

•listed 6’3/275
•former state champ wrestler
•freshman All American in 2022

Jacas has the kind of versatility and play-strength that can be moved across the front. His… pic.twitter.com/pTLtlAXJ97
— David Syvertsen (@Ourlads_Sy) June 17, 2025

In the secondary, Scott emerged as one of the Big Ten’s most reliable defenders, earning first team All-Big Ten honors from the media and a Thorpe Award semifinalist nod. He started all 13 games in 2024 and recorded 49 tackles, four interceptions and six pass breakups.

#Illinois CB Xavier Scott is a really fun study for the 2026 NFL Draft—and a guy who I could see play himself into the 1st round.

Natural feel in zone coverage, advanced route recognition, quick processor, versatile, great at the catch point pic.twitter.com/ZCmTB0FLcp
— Andy (@AndyyNFL) July 26, 2025

Although spots on preseason watch lists are no guarantee of end-of-season hardware, Jacas and Scott serve as a testament to Illinois football's ability to develop players (Jacas and Scott were both three-star recruits coming out of high school) who deliver on Saturdays and can later compete to play on Sundays.

Illinois' Gabe Jacas, Xavier Scott Named to Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

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