MIAMI GARDENS — The distance between Fort Pierce Central High School and Miami Gardens is just under 125 miles.

Which meant that for Cobras legend and New England Patriots rookie Gabe Jacas, Sunday’s Week 8 game at a rainy Hard Rock Stadium was essentially a homecoming.

It sure sounded like a home game at times, with the Patriots contingent out in full force and roaring with every positive play. That included dozens of Jacas' family members as well as members of the Central community, many of them wearing No. 50 jerseys.

“Just seeing all of my family here, 24 of my family members, and a lot of people from Central, like teachers and administration, it feels pretty special,” Jacas said after the game.

Jacas finished with 1.5 sacks, a tackle for loss and three total tackles during New England's 24-19 AFC East victory over the Miami Dolphins.

The Patriots rookie linebacker did not play most of the second half because of a knee injury.

“Any divisional game is pretty huge, and winning on the road is pretty important, too,” Jacas said. “It was fun. It was good playing with my teammates and the guys around me.”

Jacas was first inserted during the Patriots' second defensive drive and immediately went to work. The pass rusher was credited with a pressure on his first play, which resulted in a sack of Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis. Two plays later, he got home for a shared sack with Christian Barmore.

Early in the Dolphins' fifth offensive drive, Jacas jumped offsides and was flagged, only to pick up a sack on the next play. Lined up at right defensive end, Jacas thundered through the interior on a stunt to bring down Willis for a 5-yard loss.

Jacas played 20 snaps in the first half but was on the field for only one snap after halftime.

Boston Herald reporter Doug Kyed reported on X that Jacas entered the blue medical tent soon after. He was later announced as questionable to return.

The rookie spent the rest of the night standing on the sideline with his helmet off.

“I feel good. It was a little bump, but I'll be good for next week. I'll be ready,” he said. “I'm just protecting my body and will continue to take it one day at a time, and we'll see where we're at.”

'He learned how to win'

When New England traveled to Jacksonville during Week 3, 10 of Jacas' supporters made the trip to EverBank Stadium. Pat Seidel was one of them.

Seidel was Jacas' wrestling coach at Central. The former Cobras coach said he was emotional watching his former wrestler take the field in Jacksonville. But he experienced the game differently in Miami.

“I’m at the point where I just really enjoy watching him compete,” Seidel said. “I know what he’s capable of doing, and I just like to see the execution."

Under Seidel, Jacas won state wrestling championships during his junior and senior seasons before starring on the football field at Illinois. Jacas has noted in numerous interviews how the skills he learned on the mat has translated well to football. His former coach agrees.

“Wrestling was the catalyst for him to be successful in anything because that's where he learned how to win. He learned how to figure it out,” Seidel said.

'It's a proud feeling'

Drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, Jacas has made a name for himself during his rookie season.

He recorded his first career sack in New England's season opener at Seattle before following it with an interception the next week against Pittsburgh. Through eight games, Jacas has totaled 24 tackles and three sacks.

“The main thing I've done is improve each game and feel more comfortable being out there. That's something I continue to do, and that's something my coaches continue to preach to me: 'You're improving,'” Jacas said. “It's not always about the stats. It's about affecting the quarterback and being sound in the run game. ... Speaking humbly, I just want to continue to improve and continue to do the things that win games for my teammates.”

Although his time on the field was limited, Jacas may have delivered his best performance of the season in front of many of the people who helped him get to where he is today. He hasn't forgotten those people, or the places he called home.

“Being a kid from Fort Pierce Central, I'm already defeating the odds,” Jacas said. “Coming from that school and not being highly recruited, people from that school don't get highly recruited. I'm just pursuing my dreams. Being from a city like Port St. Lucie and representing my high school, it's a proud moment for me. It's a proud feeling, and I just want to continue that for however many years I play and continue to represent the right way.”