Michael Jacobson Bio
Michael Jacobson (born April 4, 1997) is an American professional football tight end who currently plays in the National Football League. Jacobson attended Waukee High School in Iowa before playing college basketball at the University of Nebraska and Iowa State University. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and has since spent time with the Seattle Seahawks, Indianapolis Colts, and New Orleans Saints organizations.
Early Life and Background
Michael Jacobson was born on April 4, 1997, in Waukee, Iowa, to parents Bill and Katie Jacobson. His family has deep roots in athletics. His grandfather played football and baseball at Iowa State University, while his father Bill Jacobson played basketball at the University of Omaha during the 1980s before becoming an orthopedic surgeon. This athletic heritage provided Jacobson with early exposure to competitive sports and helped shape his development as a multi-sport athlete.
During his junior year at Waukee High School, Jacobson established himself as a standout basketball player, averaging 17.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game while earning second-team all-state recognition. On February 3, 2015, he delivered a remarkable performance, scoring 34 points and grabbing 9 rebounds in an 82-57 victory against Mason City High School. As a senior, Jacobson elevated his game further, posting averages of 18.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game while earning First-team All-CIML honors.
Path to Professional Football
Jacobson received scholarship offers from multiple colleges for basketball, including programs at Harvard, Lehigh, UTEP, Indiana State, and Drake. He ultimately chose to accept an offer from the University of Nebraska, where he began his collegiate basketball career as a freshman, making 25 starts while averaging 4.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game on a Cornhuskers team that finished with a 16-18 record.
Jacobson continued his development during his sophomore season at Nebraska, starting 31 games and averaging 6.0 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Following the season, he decided to transfer and ultimately signed with Iowa State University, a program he had supported since childhood. Due to NCAA transfer regulations, Jacobson sat out his redshirt season and spent the year practicing against fellow transfer Marial Shayok, preparing for his junior campaign with the Cyclones.
Michael Jacobson Career
College Basketball Career at Iowa State (2018-2020)
Jacobson began his junior season at Iowa State in a unique situation. Coach Steve Prohm initially inserted Jacobson into the starting lineup due to the suspension of Cameron Lard, but Jacobson retained his spot in the rotation upon Lard’s return because of his strong on-court performance. On November 20, 2018, Jacobson scored a career-high 23 points in an 84-68 victory against Illinois, demonstrating his ability to contribute offensively at the major-conference level.
Jacobson finished his junior season averaging 11.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game while shooting 57.6 percent from the field, helping the Cyclones earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament. His performance during the Big 12 Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament earned him Big 12 All-Tournament team honors, as he averaged 9.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game during the tournament. Additionally, Jacobson was recognized as the 2019 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, highlighting his accomplishments both on and off the court. During his senior season, he averaged 7.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game before concluding his collegiate basketball career.
Transition to Professional Basketball (2020-2021)
After completing his college basketball career at Iowa State in 2020, Jacobson pursued professional opportunities in basketball. On August 17, 2020, he signed his first professional contract with Kyiv-Basket of the Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague. This stint provided Jacobson with international professional experience following his collegiate career, though he would ultimately redirect his athletic focus to American football.
NFL Journey and Breakthrough (2021-Present)
Jacobson made the transition to professional football in 2021. On August 6, 2021, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League as an undrafted free agent. However, his tenure with Seattle was brief, as he was waived on August 10, 2021, before being re-signed to the practice squad on September 15. He was released from the practice squad shortly thereafter on September 25.
Jacobson joined the Indianapolis Colts organization on October 5, 2021, signing to their practice squad. He demonstrated consistency and dedication during his time with the Colts, ultimately signing a reserve/future contract with the team on January 10, 2022. This contract indicated the Colts’ interest in retaining him for the following season. However, on August 30, 2022, Jacobson was waived by the Colts. He re-signed with Indianapolis on August 5, 2023, only to be waived again on August 27, 2023, as part of the team’s final roster cuts before the 2023 season.
Jacobson continued pursuing his NFL career by signing with the New Orleans Saints practice squad on September 13, 2023. Following the conclusion of the 2023 regular season, the Saints signed him to a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024, securing his place on the roster for the 2024 season. On August 27, 2024, the Saints waived Jacobson but re-signed him to the practice squad. He signed another reserve/future contract with New Orleans on January 6, 2025, though he was waived again on August 25, 2025.
Playing Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 7 inches and 244 pounds, Jacobson possesses the size and frame that NFL teams seek in a tight end. His background as a college basketball player at the power-conference level demonstrates his athleticism, body control, and hand-eye coordination. His experience transitioning between sports showcases his adaptability and football IQ as he continues developing at the professional level.
Michael Jacobson Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Jacobson comes from a family with distinguished athletic credentials. His grandfather played football and baseball at Iowa State University, establishing a multigenerational connection to the institution that would later play a significant role in Jacobson’s own athletic career. His father, Bill Jacobson, played basketball at the University of Omaha during the 1980s before pursuing a career in medicine as an orthopedic surgeon. This family tradition of athletic excellence provided Michael with both genetic advantages and valuable mentorship throughout his development.
Personal Life
Jacobson maintains strong ties to his Iowa roots. His parents, Bill and Katie Jacobson, have supported his athletic journey through multiple sports and transitions. Growing up in Waukee, Jacobson was a longtime supporter of Iowa State University, which ultimately became his college destination after transferring from Nebraska. His social media presence shows connections to both his football and basketball backgrounds, with accounts reflecting his continued commitment to his athletic career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked another chapter in Jacobson’s ongoing NFL journey with the New Orleans Saints organization. His trajectory demonstrates the challenges that undrafted players face in establishing themselves at the professional level, particularly when transitioning from college basketball to football. The Saints have shown continued interest in Jacobson’s development, providing him opportunities to contribute on their practice squad while he refines his technique and learns the intricacies of the tight end position at the professional level.