01 / Biography
Life and background
Childhood and Maryland
Jacob grew up in a stable, supportive Tampa home with football central to family life. He chose Maryland because it offered the best opportunity for playing time and development.
A two-sport prospect
Jacob also played basketball. NFL teams questioned whether he actually wanted to commit to football, contributing to his fall to the seventh round. Tampa Bay selected him with pick 26 of that round in 2005.
Retirement and coaching
Jacob retired after 2017 satisfied with his playing career and ready to move on. He became involved in his community and entered college coaching.
He served as Maryland’s offensive coordinator from 2025 through 2027, then head coach from 2028 through 2044. He won two national titles as head coach.
Private life
Jacob’s girlfriend was Addison Cooper. He had no children. He enjoyed drawing, reading and nature, and later lived in Denver.
Addison Cooper
Addison was warm, patient and grounded, as well as quiet, thoughtful and observant. She and Jacob knew each other growing up. She enjoyed sports and fitness, and art.
02 / Career & Football Identity
The player and the résumé
Ewers was one of Mac’s most trusted targets and a central part of the “thin but concentrated” receiving-support story.
03 / Personality
The person behind the record
Jacob was reserved and introverted, with a dry sense of humor. He rarely trash-talked and preferred not to speak simply for the sake of talking.
04 / Relationships
People in the record
05 / Legacy & Analysis
What the life and résumé mean
He complicates both extremes of the Mac support debate: the group was thin, but the best options were elite.