Bowling Green State University Athletics
NFL Talk? He'll Pass
August 16, 2005 | Football
Aug. 9, 2005
By MAUREEN FULTON, Blade Sports Writer -
BOWLING GREEN - Junior Omar Jacobs' Heisman Trophy campaign centers around the slogan "The Fantastic 4."
As in his jersey, No. 4. As in the 4,000 yards he threw for last season. As in his 41 touchdowns and just four interceptions.
But there's some foreboding, too. It's the worry on many Bowling Green State University fans' minds about No. 4's fourth season.
Jacobs could be one of the top pro quarterback prospects for 2006, even though he would have one year of college eligibility left.
He's often called the next Ben Roethlisberger. Falcon fans hope that's true. Roethlisberger led Miami to a 13-1 record and a Mid-American Conference title in 2003. But Roethlisberger also left college a year early and became a first-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Jacobs said after BGSU's first practice Sunday he only thinks about leaving early when someone asks him about it. But he admits it's in the back of his mind.
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"This team is first right now. The MAC championship is what we're focused on. When that time comes at the end of the season, you guys will be first to know."
Web prognostications and a feature article in this week's ESPN The Magazine are putting eyes around the country on Jacobs and whether he will be able to match his stellar statistics from last season. He's become a chic reference in numerous season preview publications as this season's Cinderella candidate for the Heisman Trophy.
"The national attention is great, but Omar is a very grounded young man," BGSU coach Gregg Brandon said. "He's going to focus on what he needs to do."
The Falcons have four national television games scheduled, including the season opener at Wisconsin Sept. 3 on ESPN. With that increased exposure along with all the preseason hype, if Jacobs continues to perform at a high level he can only expect the NFL issue to come up more often.
He pledges he won't let it get to him.
"It kind of started last year ... it comes with the territory," Jacobs said. "[My coaches] are monitoring it. They know too much can be a distraction."
