When the Middlebury College football team gathered for the first training camp practice of the season earlier this week, Marblehead native Drew Jacobs officially kicked off his junior season as a Panther.
In his two seasons with the team, Jacobs, a running back who played his high school football at Milton Academy, has tallied 536 rushing yards on 170 carries. A dual threat at the running back position, Jacobs has also caught 38 passes for 281 yards in 15 games.
Jacobs began his Middlebury career on a high note when he ran for 339 yards as a freshman in 2014, but was forced to sit out the 2015 season with a foot injury. He bounced back in 2016, his sophomore season of eligibility, by totalling 197 yards on the ground and another 106 on the air.
Now that he’s gearing up for his junior season, Jacobs is looking to continue to make key contributions for the Panthers offense.
“I just want to go in there and compete and try to help the team,” Jacobs said of his goals for the upcoming season. “Hopefully I get some carries and have some success. I just want the team to do well. I’m hoping to get on the field, whether it’s running or catching the ball, or blocking. We should have a pretty good offense so I’m just hoping to do my part.”
Last season, Jacobs and the Panthers went 6-2 on the year. Middlebury, which competes in Division III NESCAC, started the year on a high note by winning its first five games but tailed off towards the latter part of the season, dropping two of its final three contests.
“We lost to Trinity, who won NESCAC,” Jacobs recalled. “They were a tough and deep team, and then we lost to Tufts who had a terrific running back who just graduated.”
With experienced players returning at key positions, Jacobs expects the Panthers will be right back in the thick of things this fall.
“We should be competitive,” Jacobs said. “We didn’t lose too many players from last season. Our starting quarterback and our receivers are back, so we should be competitive. We start the season with Wesleyan and they’re a competitive team. I know it’s cliche but we’re going to take it one game at a time.”
With two seasons of competing against tough NESCAC teams under his belt, Jacobs acknowledged that the Panthers will have to bring their best week in and week out to make a statement in the conference this season. Middlebury went 6-2 in conference play last fall and the Panthers are seeking similar success in 2017.
“It’s a pretty good league,” Jacobs said. “The top players and the top teams are pretty good. You’ll get a lot of guys that had Ivy League offers or transferred from Division I leagues. It’s a strong academic league. It’s fun to be able to play college football and be able to get on the field. The games are pretty competitive.”
Jacobs also acknowledged that he feels he’s at full health and top-notch strength as the fall quickly approaches. He spent the summer working at Marblehead Fitness Center as a fitness coach and had the added bonus of being able to train at the facility.
“I worked at Marblehead Fitness Center as a fitness coach for high school and other college athletes,” Jacobs said. “I was able to use the gym and I did a lot of Olympic weightlifting, and a lot of yoga to help prevent injuries.
“I feel healthy going into camp and I think I’m in good shape,” Jacobs added. “I’m excited to start playing football.”
On the academic side of things, Jacobs, who’s entering his senior year, has found himself a home as a history major at Middlebury. Jacobs said he’s enjoying his courses and appreciates that Middlebury, which has a student population of 2500 undergraduates, offers small classes that give him the opportunity to engage in discussions.
“Things are going well academically,” Jacobs said. “I’m a history major and I need one more class for my Spanish minor. The classes are great. Middlebury’s a small school so we’re able to do a lot of discussing in classes and if you want to meet with professors after class, you can. I like history and I really enjoy debating about it.”
Middlebury kicks off the new season on September 16 when the Panthers host NESCAC rival Wesleyan.
“I’m excited for the season,” Jacobs said. “It’s always nice when you can go into the season healthy. I’m just hoping the team competes hard. Hopefully we’ll all buy in and we’ll have a great year.”
