University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Football
Jacob Dobbs
- Title:
- Defensive Analyst, Linebackers
- Alma Mater:
- Holy Cross, โ23
- Year at UCLA:
- 1st in 2026
- Email:
- jdobbs@athletics.ucla.edu
Jacob Dobbs enters his first year as a defensive analyst working with linebackers at UCLA in 2026.
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Dobbs begins his second season in the collegiate coaching ranks after capping a prolific six-year playing career at linebacker under head coach Bob Chesney.
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He started his coaching career in 2025 as a quality control coach and assistant linebackers coach at James Madison, working under Chesney. That season, the Dukes ranked fifth nationally in total defense (266.6 yards allowed per game) and 13th in scoring defense (18.4 points allowed per game), while holding opponents under 200 yards of total offense in five games.
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As a player, Dobbs recorded more than 500 career tackles with 432 at Holy Cross from 2019-23 and 74 during his final season at James Madison in 2024. He was a William V. Campbell Trophy finalist and a three-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-American.
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Dobbs earned All-Sun Belt Second Team honors in 2024 and was named to the Butkus Award Watch List. At Holy Cross, he was a two-time Stats Perform Buck Buchanan Award finalist and a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award. He was also a two-time Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year and a First Team All-American in 2021 and 2023.
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Dobbs graduated from Holy Cross as the Patriot Leagueโs all-time leader in tackles with 432, ranking second in program history in the category. One of only two four-time team captains in Crusader history, he also set the school record with 46.5 tackles for loss.
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A native of Macomb, Michigan, Dobbs earned his bachelorโs degree in economics and religious studies from Holy Cross in December 2023.
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Dobbsโ Coaching Experience
2025 โ Quality Control Coach/Assistant Linebackers Coach, James Madison
2026 โ Defensive Analyst (Linebackers), UCLA
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Dobbs begins his second season in the collegiate coaching ranks after capping a prolific six-year playing career at linebacker under head coach Bob Chesney.
ย
He started his coaching career in 2025 as a quality control coach and assistant linebackers coach at James Madison, working under Chesney. That season, the Dukes ranked fifth nationally in total defense (266.6 yards allowed per game) and 13th in scoring defense (18.4 points allowed per game), while holding opponents under 200 yards of total offense in five games.
ย
As a player, Dobbs recorded more than 500 career tackles with 432 at Holy Cross from 2019-23 and 74 during his final season at James Madison in 2024. He was a William V. Campbell Trophy finalist and a three-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-American.
ย
Dobbs earned All-Sun Belt Second Team honors in 2024 and was named to the Butkus Award Watch List. At Holy Cross, he was a two-time Stats Perform Buck Buchanan Award finalist and a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award. He was also a two-time Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year and a First Team All-American in 2021 and 2023.
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Dobbs graduated from Holy Cross as the Patriot Leagueโs all-time leader in tackles with 432, ranking second in program history in the category. One of only two four-time team captains in Crusader history, he also set the school record with 46.5 tackles for loss.
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A native of Macomb, Michigan, Dobbs earned his bachelorโs degree in economics and religious studies from Holy Cross in December 2023.
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Dobbsโ Coaching Experience
2025 โ Quality Control Coach/Assistant Linebackers Coach, James Madison
2026 โ Defensive Analyst (Linebackers), UCLA
Lined Up with UCLA Football: Black History Month Edition
Tuesday, February 24
Coach Chesney Signing Day Interview on Big Ten Network (Feb. 4, 2026)
Wednesday, February 04
UCLA Football Donor Dinner 2026
Thursday, January 29
The First 48 Hours - Head Coach Bob Chesney Welcomed at UCLA
Friday, December 12
