NFF National Scholar-Athletes
LB – The College of the Holy Cross
3.76 GPA – Economics & Religious Studies
Head Coach: Bob Chesney | Athletics Director: Kit Hughes
Faculty Athletics Representative: Dr. Sarah Petty
Recipient of the John H. McConnell Scholar-Athlete Award
One of the most decorated and highly respected student-athletes to ever play at Holy Cross, Jacob Dobbs has led the Crusaders to four-straight Patriot League titles, earning First Team All-America honors and tallying a 3.76 GPA. The Macomb, Michigan, native now becomes the school’s seventh NFF National Scholar-Athlete, following 2022 honoree Peter Oliver in back-to-back years.
On pace to graduate this December as a double major in economics and religious studies, Dobbs made the 2021 CSC Academic All-District Team and was named an FCS ADA Academic All-Star. An Academic All-Patriot League honoree, Dobbs has also landed on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll and the Holy Cross Dean’s List multiple times.
Currently leading the nation with 101 tackles and 14.4 tackles per game, Dobbs entered the 2023 season with 309 tackles, 34.5 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, four interceptions, eight pass breakups, one forced fumble and four fumble recoveries. He led the Patriot League and ranked fourth nationally with 137 tackles in 2021, and despite suffering a season-ending injury in Week 4 of the 2022 season, he continues to climb the school record books, ranking fourth in career tackles (410, needing 38 for the record) and career sacks (20.5). He is tied at third for career tackles for loss with 44, needing only 1.5 for the record.
A four-year captain for the Crusaders, Dobbs is only the second player in program history to hold this distinction. Dobbs’ impressive list of accolades includes 2021 STATS Perform First Team All-American and Second Team All-America honors from the Associated Press and the American Football Coaches Association. The 2021 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year and a three-time All-Patriot League performer, he was also a finalist for the 2021 Buck Buchanan Award as the best defensive player in the FCS.
Dobbs’ contributions have helped the Crusaders claim four conference titles and appearances in the FCS Playoffs each year. The team posted playoff wins in 2022 and 2021, giving them a final ranking of No. 6 in 2022 with a 12-1 record and a No. 19 finish in 2021 with a 10-3 record.
Known for doing everything with a smile on his face, Dobbs regularly reads to kids at local elementary schools and has participated in the Be the Match bone marrow registration drive while volunteering with the Cures for Kids Color Run. He served for several years on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
(All Stats of Oct. 25, 2023)
