College Football: Pair of local products entering transfer portal

“Thank you Hawkeye nation and the whole University of Iowa football staff,” Jacobs wrote in a message posted to social media. “I appreciate everything that I have learned, the friends I have made and the memories I’ll hold forever. I will never forget the impact Iowa has not only had on me as a player but as a person as well. I would also like to thank my teammates for showing me the right way to play football and humbling me in many ways. It has truly been an honor to be a Hawkeye. Thank you all.

“With that being said, I have now entered the transfer portal.”

The 6-4, 238-pound Jacobs is a grad transfer with at least two years of eligibility remaining. Calculating eligitliby can be tricky with the 2020 season not counting because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Jacobs redshirted in 2019, played a small role in 2020 then was fifth on the team with 53 tackles last season when he started nine games and played in all 14.

He played two games this season before suffering a season-ending injury, so he might able to get a medical hardship waiver down the line if desired.

Jacobs was a four-star recruit in the class of 2019. He committed to Iowa during the summer before his senior season then rejected an offer to flip to Ohio State in the fall.

Fairfield grad Erick All is on the move as well after three seasons at Michigan.

A 6-4, 245-pound tight end, All was also a four-star recruit who committed during the summer of his senior year. He had a long list of offers from Power 5 schools including Notre Dame and Florida State.

He played 33 games for the Wolverines and caught 54 passes for 565 yards and two touchdowns. After being honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2021, he was voted a captain this year, but he played in only three games before having a season-ending surgery.

“I know some of you are wondering why I would leave and the answer to that question is unexpected,” All wrote on Twitter. “Not everything/everyone are what they seem, and I learned that from my time here at Michigan. Sometimes you have to let go and do what’s best for you and your family. Love you guys. Go Blue.”

Pedigree and experience should make Jacobs and All both hot commodities on the transfer trail assuming they fully recover from their injuries, but there is lots of competition.

According to SportSource Analytics, more than 1,000 players entered the portal since it opened Monday, and if history is any guide many will not find new homes by next year.

The NCAA reported in April that only 54% of players who entered the portal the previous year found new schools.

Based on new rules approved in August, the portal is only open for periods of time, including Dec. 5-Jan. 18 and again May 1-15 in this school year.

However, that does not apply to graduate transfers, players at schools who lose their head coach or players who have their scholarships altered or canceled by their original school.

Alter graduate Connor Bazelak previously announced he is looking for a new school after one year at Indiana, while Northmont grad Markus Allen entered the portal after coach Paul Chryst was fired at Wisconsin in the middle of the season.