The Skinny

Due largely to NCAA sanctions, Jason Cabinda did not redshirt in 2014 and went on to be a big part of the Nittany Lion defense each of his four years in State College. Cabinda would be a tackling machine during his time in Happy Valley and a team captain as a senior.

The best game of Cabinda’s career came on that fateful October night in 2016 then none of us will ever forget. Returning from injury, and with a cast on his hand, Cabinda had 13 tackles, a pass breakup, and one of the most memorable sacks of recent years in Penn State’s 24-21 upset victory over Ohio State.

As a senior Cabinda played in all 13 games and led the team in tackles with 90. He also recorded 7.5 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, 3 pass breakups, he forced a pair of fumbles, and he recovered a fumble as well.

What You’re Getting

While Cabinda will never wow anyone with his athleticism or pass coverage skills, he has a nose for the football, is a tough player, and he makes up for what he lacks in athleticism with qualities you can not see. He has a very high football IQ, good instincts, and is a relentless worker. Cabinda is a player that will live in the film room and will always be overly prepared for an opposing offense.

If he is going to make an NFL roster, Cabinda will have to prove he can play special teams as well. However, there is no reason to think he can not.

Cabinda projects to be drafted in the sixth or seventh round, or potentially be an undrafted free agent.

NFL Draft Profile