When the New England Patriots selected Gabe Jacas in the second round of the NFL Draft, they knew they were getting a player with immense potential. But what they might not have anticipated was the rookie's commitment to greatness—a commitment that led him to train this summer with one of the most dominant pass rushers in league history.

According to a report from the Boston Herald's Doug Kyed, Jacas connected with Justin Houston through the Illinois coaching staff, spending a week in Atlanta working alongside the four-time Pro Bowler. For a young player looking to make an immediate impact, this kind of mentorship is invaluable.

"When I got him in front of somebody that’s a positive influence, like Justin Houston, and he invested the time to go train with him, he came back with a whole different outlook," Illinois' Skill Development Coordinator Joe Kim shared. "He started asking, 'What do I put in my body? What’s my workout plan? What’s my skill development plan every day? What am I going to do during training camp?'"

The choice of mentor is telling. Houston, who retired with 112 career sacks and over 500 tackles across 13 NFL seasons, is widely regarded as one of the greatest edge rushers of his era. In 2014, he delivered a performance for the ages, recording 22 sacks in just 16 games—the third-highest single-season total in NFL history—along with four forced fumbles and 23 tackles for loss, earning him first-team All-Pro honors.

For Patriots fans, this summer training partnership is another encouraging sign that Jacas is serious about his craft. Learning from a player who dominated at the highest level could be the edge the rookie needs to transition smoothly into the pros. If his offseason dedication is any indication, New England might have found a gem in the 55th overall pick.