Between baseball games and basketball team camps, one might assume it’d be difficult for Parkers Chapel’s Caleb Jacobs to find a lot of time for football this summer.
That assumption would be very, very wrong.
The Trojans’ quarterback and senior-to-be has already logged plenty of miles, attending individual football camps at UA-Monticello, Arkansas Tech, Southern Arkansas University and Louisiana Tech. Next week, Jacobs plans to attend the nationally renowned Manning Passing Academy for the second year.
The event will be held from Thursday through Sunday at Nicholls State University in Thibodeaux, Louisiana. Jacobs said he went to the academy last year for the first time.
“There’s probably thousands of kids that go to this camp, mostly quarterbacks, receivers and fullbacks. It’s a pretty fun thing,” said Jacobs. “They’ll help you out with drills. They’ll give you some advice. It’s like you’re on a college team. They have a schedule. You’ve got practice in the morning. It’s a really good experience. I think it’s probably the best experience I’ve ever had at a camp before.”
Jacobs said he learned different techniques and drills last year and hopes to add more skills to his own game again. This year, it’s also about competition as he throws his name into the hat among the college prospects.
“This year, I still want to get better with the fundamental parts. I’m just trying to perfect my form and everything so I can help my team out this year. I want to have everything on point this year since it’s my last year. I’ll work on more drills and just compete the whole time. I just want to be the best out there,” said Jacobs, who said playing in front of Archie Manning and his Super Bowl winning sons Peyton and Eli, gets the competitive juices flowing.
“You’re with college quarterbacks and Peyton Manning so it’s real competitive. You want to look good out there. You better act like it’s a job interview.”
For Jacobs, this summer is about honing his game. But it’s also about his future. The son of former El Dorado and Arkansas State quarterback Elliot Jacobs, he’s trying to put himself in the hunt for a college scholarship.
“Just trying to get my name out there, put myself out there and Parkers Chapel out there. I’m just trying to get recruited and compete,” he said. “Whoever is there, I’m going to compete against you and I’m going to try to beat you every single time no matter what drill it is. I want to be the best out there.”
Jacobs said he’s still waiting on an offer. The three schools that have shown the most interest have been UAM, SAU and Arkansas Tech.
The Boll Weevils actually looked at Jacobs as a defensive back. As a free safety last season, he recorded 52 tackles, including one sack, with three interceptions, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
“UAM is looking at me as a defensive back and I’m fine with that,” said Jacobs. “Wherever you want me to play, I’ll try my best at it. I’ll do whatever I can to help that team out. If you want me at defensive back, I’ll put in the work and try to do the best I can.”
As a junior quarterback, he threw for 1,758 yards, completing 121-of-257 passes for 20 touchdowns with just nine interceptions. He also rushed for 513 yards and three touchdowns.
The lefty displayed all the requisite skill set as a signal caller. At 5-foot-9 and between 150 and 155 pounds, his size might be his biggest drawback for the next level.
“I’m trying to put on some weight this summer. If I can weigh around 170 or 180, that would be the perfect weight for me. I’m trying to get it up there,” said Jacobs, who acknowledged his measurables could be holding him back.
“That’s always a problem with people looking at me is my size. I just have to find loopholes, I guess you could say, to help me with my size. I’ve gotta have speed. I’ve gotta have hands. I’ve got to have IQ. I’ve got to have something to help me out with my size.”
While Jacobs hopes to gain more pounds, there’s not much he can do about his height.
“It can kind of get frustrating. You go to camps and you know the college coaches are looking at the taller receivers, quarterbacks. It does get somewhat frustrating,” he said. “I get mad, but it helps me out because it makes me want to do more. It makes my motor just keep going. It doesn’t frustrate me to where I shut down. It just keeps me to where I compete more and more. It makes me want to beat you even more to prove you wrong.”
Jacobs said he tries to turn the negativity into a positive. Those that doubt him because of his height only add fuel to his competitive fire.
“I love it. If a college coach wants me to go against someone who is 6-4, 6-3, I don’t care how tall you are, I’m going to compete. That’s just plain and simple,” he said. “I’m going to do whatever I can. I’ll figure out a way. You’ve got that height. I’m still going to jump as high as I can or I’m going to mess with you. I’m going to do something to get you off so I can win this battle. You just have to find out what the other person doesn’t have that you have.
“I’m pretty quick. My IQ is pretty high. I’ve got fast hands. I can beat you off the ball or I can do something, figure it out mid-play.”
As far as his football career, Jacobs said, “This is the most important summer I’ll probably have.”
That hasn’t stopped him from tending to his other athletic commitments.
As of last week, the four-sport athlete in football, basketball, baseball and track, was competing on the Trojans’ summer baseball team. He participated in PC’s basketball team camp at El Dorado and was one of eight players to go to a 7-on-7 tournament in Monticello.
“I never have an off-week, really never have an off-weekend, either,” he said. “I’m constantly having football practice, basketball practice, basketball game, baseball game, baseball practice. I’m constantly doing something every week. I think it’s just a fun thing to do. I love it.
“Playing ball is fun to me.”