Jacobson grew up in
Sioux Falls and graduated from
O'Gorman High School in 1968, where he also played basketball. He played
college football at
Nebraska under head coach,
Bob Devaney. He was a key player of the
"Blackshirts" (Nebraska defense) for the undefeated
1970 and
1971 teams, which won consecutive
national championships.
During Jacobson's three seasons on the Huskers (1969–71), Nebraska was 33-2-1, with records of 9-2, 11-0-1, and 13-0, and three consecutive bowl victories. The 38-6 victory in the
1972 Orange Bowl over #2
Alabama was the Huskers' 22nd consecutive win, and 32nd without a loss.
As a senior, Jacobson was an
All-American and won the
Outland Trophy in
1971 for best
interior lineman; the first of eight Outland Trophies won by Nebraska players.
[2] Husker (and Giant) teammate
Rich Glover would win the award the following season in
1972.
He was the third Nebraska Cornhusker chosen in the first round of the
1972 NFL Draft (
QB Jerry Tagge - 11th,
RB Jeff Kinney - 23rd). A starter in his rookie year, Jacobson played three seasons with the
Giants. A broken leg in training camp in
1975 ended his playing career, as he failed his physical in
1976.
