Betting on himself: DeJesus finds new home in Las Vegas
Former Manteca High football star Jacob DeJesus has committed to UNLV after an All-American career at Modesto Junior College.
By JAMES DENNIS
The Tower
Jacob DeJesus is a former Manteca High football player with a long list of honors.
During his time as a Buffalo, DeJesus, a diminutive offensive star, guided the football team to two Sac-Joaquin Section titles and earned Valley Oak League MVP honors as a senior.
DeJesus went on to play at Modesto Junior College, where he excelled in the Pirates’ NASCAR offense as a slot receiver and kick returner. Though is collegiate career was slowed by COVID, DeJesus burst onto the scene in 2021 alongside former Manteca High teammate Gino Campiotti, a transfer quarterback.
As a sophomore, DeJesus took a star turn. he had 64 receptions for 914 yards and five touchdowns in his second season in coach Rusty Stivers’ high-octane offense. He also rushed 26 times for 177 yards and a touchdown. His versatility and explosiveness was rewarded with an All-American honor.
“I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today without going there. I have them to thank for helping me get out and it’s a very good college.”
The spotlight didn’t come easily for DeJesus, often undersized and overlooked, but his passion and perseverance paid off with a Division I offer. DeJesus recently received and accepted a full scholarship offer to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
The Tower caught up with one of the all-time Buffalo greats shortly after his arrival in Las Vegas.
The Tower: What inspired you to take the JUCO route?
Jacob DeJesus: I saw other players do it from Manteca High and get Division I scholarships, so I felt like I could do that too. If I went the JUCO route, it felt like it would give me a chance to put myself out there more for coaches to come see me. I always dreamed about playing at the D-I level, so I took the chance to go JUCO instead of taking the D-II and D-III offers out of high school.
TT: What made you commit to UNLV? Did you have anywhere else?
JD: I had Idaho State looking at me. They were trying to get me on an official visit, but UNLV was in contact with me first and it’s a bigger school and it’s an FBS school. I really felt like I was wanted here. (Wide receivers coach Del Alexander) called me and sounded like he really wanted me. When I went on my visit over here, it was everything that I wished for. The facilities were great. The coaching staff was great. It just made me feel really special to here and that’s why I chose to commit to UNLV.
Jacob DeJesus (right) led Manteca High to two Sac-Joaquin Section titles during a storied prep career.
TT: What made you keep playing after high school?
JD: It’s always been my dream since I was 6 years old to play in the NFL. After high school, I didn’t have a lot of D-I offers and I still loved football and didn’t want it to end. I love the game so much that I decided to keep playing and it worked out for me. I am truly blessed and just happy and grateful for this opportunity to keep playing the game.
TT: How was your experience at MJC?
JD: It was a very good experience. I met a lot of good players and coaches there, and they really helped to push you out as much as they can. I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today without going there. I have them to thank for helping me get out and it’s a very good college.
TT: What was your preparation like to get to this point?
JD: My weekly routine would consist of a lot of running and sprinting and position/skill stuff, like running routes with the quarterbacks and other wide receivers. It would be two times a day where I would go run routes and lift the same day. It was hard to maintain doing that as a student-athlete (because) you have school and I also have a kid. It was hard. I would suggest doing something Monday through Friday, because that’s how you’re going to make it. It’s all hard work and dedication.
TT: What is your goal at UNLV?
JD: My goal going into UNLV right now is to become a starter. My ultimate goal here is to have a career here, get my degree and hopefully, it’s my dream to go to the NFL. Right now, my first goal is to work hard in spring ball and earn a starting spot in the upcoming season.
TT: What is your message to everyone out there that wants to take the JUCO route?
JD: I would say to go for it 100 percent. If you don’t have much going on as far as recruiting for you out of high school and you really feel like you have the D-I potential, I would say bet on yourself and go to MJC or other good JUCOs in the area. Work hard because it is a grind. It’s tough being in community college and being a student-athlete. The financial problems are hard. I would say once you get there and ball out, you can make it. I feel like it’s a bigger platform than high school. I feel like you have more of a chance going D-I from a JUCO if you didn’t have anything coming out of high school.
Jacob DeJesus led Modesto Junior College with 64 receptions for 914 yards during the 2022 season, earning All-American honors.