Joshua Cordell Jacobs, born February 11, 1998, is a professional football running back for the Green Bay Packers in the NFL.
He played college football at Alabama and was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Jacobs has achieved significant milestones, including leading the league in rushing yards in 2022 and being named a Pro Bowler.
In 2024, he signed a four-year, $48 million contract with the Packers, where he has excelled, rushing for 1,285 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, tying a franchise record with seven consecutive games scoring touchdowns.
Parents
Jacobs is the son of Marty Jacobs and Lachelle Jacobs.
He has four brothers: Christopher, Marty Jr., Isaiah, and a sister named Shaleya.
After their parents divorced in 2006, Marty raised the children, often facing financial hardships, including periods of homelessness.
Jacobs has a close bond with his father, who played a significant role in his life and career, while his relationship with his mother remains distant.
College career
Jacobs played college football at the University of Alabama from 2016 to 2018, where he was part of a highly competitive program under head coach Nick Saban.
He joined the Crimson Tide as a freshman in 2016 and made an immediate impact, playing in 15 games primarily as a backup running back and on special teams.
Jacobs rushed for 567 yards and scored four touchdowns during his first season.
In 2017, he continued to develop his skills and played a crucial role in Alabama’s national championship run.
Jacobs had a standout performance in the Sugar Bowl against Clemson, rushing for 98 yards and scoring a touchdown.
That season, he finished with 284 rushing yards and one touchdown.
By his junior year in 2018, Jacobs had established himself as a more prominent player, rushing for 640 yards and 11 touchdowns while also contributing as a receiver with 247 receiving yards.
Senior career
After declaring for the NFL Draft, Jacobs was selected by the Oakland Raiders with the 24th overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
He quickly made his mark in the league during his rookie season, rushing for 1,150 yards and scoring seven touchdowns, which earned him the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
His performance established him as a central figure in the Raiders’ offense.
Jacobs continued to excel in his second season in 2020, rushing for 1,065 yards and adding 12 touchdowns to his impressive resume.
However, it was in the 2022 season that he truly broke out, leading the NFL in rushing yards with an impressive total of 1,653 yards while scoring 12 touchdowns.
This remarkable performance earned him a spot in the Pro Bowl and recognition as an All-Pro player.
During this time, he also improved his receiving skills significantly, catching 53 passes for 400 yards.
In March 2024, Jacobs signed a four-year contract worth $48 million with the Green Bay Packers.
This transition was highly anticipated as he aimed to bring his elite running skills to a new offensive scheme.
Jacobs has continued to perform at an elite level with the Packers, rushing for 1,285 yards and tying a franchise record by scoring touchdowns in seven consecutive games.
