Jason Cabinda

Though he will not generate the same attention as former Penn State stars LaVar Arrington, Paul Posluszny or Navarro Bowman, the Nittany Lions' well-earned reputation as "Linebacker U" was in good hands with Cabinda, who leaves Happy Valley having earned All-Big Ten honors after each of the past three years. Like many of Penn State's standout slobber-knockers of the past, Cabinda's production and penchant for big hits was his calling card. After logging 17 tackles as a true freshman (earning one start), Cabinda leapt to what wound up being a career-high 98 stops in 2015, including 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks while splitting time between weakside and middle linebacker. For his efforts (which also included five pass breakups and the only interception of his career), Cabinda was honored by league coaches and media with Honorable Mention All-Big Ten accolades. Cabinda was being counted on to post even better numbers as a junior but he suffered an undisclosed arm injury after the season-opener, missing the next five games. He returned with a vengeance, recording a season-high 13 tackles (including two for loss) and a pass broken up in Penn State's 24-21 upset over Ohio State, ultimately finishing with 80 tackles (albeit just four for loss) in just nine games as a junior, earning Third Team All-Big Ten honors by league coaches, as well as honorable mention accolades by the media. Voted a team captain prior to the season, Cabinda led the Nittany Lions with 90 tackles in 2017, setting career-highs in tackles for loss (7.5) and sacks (3.5). The flashy final season earned him Second Team All-Big Ten honors from rival coaches as well as an invitation to the East-West Shrine Game. Cabinda leaves Penn State ninth in team history for overall tackles with 285 over his career. BACKGROUND A three-year letterman and starter at linebacker and running back for head coach Matthew Perotti at Hunterdon Central High School...Named team captain as a senior...Is the school record-holder with 50 career touchdowns from his running back position...Named first-team all-metro, the MSG Varsity Tri-State Player of the Year and second-team all-state as a running back and linebacker during his senior season...Missed four games during his senior season due to appendicitis, but still racked up 1,258 yards and 17 touchdowns in eight games...Led the Red Devils to the NJSIAA Group IV State Championship in 2013...As a junior, gained 1,793 rushing yards and scored 24 touchdowns... Named a three-star prospect by all four major recruiting services and was a Top 100 national recruit as a multi-position player...Also earned three letters in basketball...

in our view

Cabinda possesses the awareness, frame and physicality teams are looking for in a traditional downhill inside linebacker. Unless he continues to make strides as a tackler and in pass coverage, however, Cabinda could struggle to find a niche in the NFL as there are few rosters spots available for two down linebackers anymore.

strengths

Cabinda looks the part of a glass-eating, blue-collar inside linebacker with a compact, power-packed frame including broad shoulders and a thick lower half. He attacks would-be blockers with gusto, striking opponents with a heavy-handed punch that can stagger opponents and leave him free to make tackles at the point of attack. Cabinda looks to intimidate ball-carriers, dropping his shoulder into them and bringing his hips to deliver forceful blows. He is an effective pass rusher, showing vision to locate gaps, as well as enough lateral agility and flexibility to avoid blockers. In coverage, Cabinda keeps his head on a swivel and trusts his eyes, showing some feel for zone coverage and closing quickly on the ball. - Rob Rang 2/2/2018

compares to

Bryce Hager, Rams - The 6-1, 237 pound Hager was overshadowed by Baylor's explosive offense just like Cabinda and the Nittany Lions' defense was by Saquon Barkley and Co. in Happy Valley but he's stuck in the NFL for three years now after being drafted in the seventh round (224th overall) by the Rams in 2015.

weaknesses

Cabinda is only an average athlete among inside linebackers, lacking the straight-line speed to beat speedy backs to the edge and appearing as if he is running through sand, at times, when changing directions in coverage, chugging his way around the field... More troubling is his tendency to miss tackles, even in tight quarters. Too often Cabinda simply whiffs, ducking his head in an attempt to gather himself to create impact collisions and failing to wrap his arms securely around ball-carriers. - Rob Rang 2/2/2018

A three-year letterman and starter at linebacker and running back for head coach Matthew Perotti at Hunterdon Central High School

Named team captain as a senior

Is the school record-holder with 50 career touchdowns from his running back position

Named first-team all-metro, the MSG Varsity Tri-State Player of the Year and second-team all-state as a running back and linebacker during his senior season

Missed four games during his senior season due to appendicitis, but still racked up 1,258 yards and 17 touchdowns in eight games

Led the Red Devils to the NJSIAA Group IV State Championship in 2013

As a junior, gained 1,793 rushing yards and scored 24 touchdowns

Tallied 687 yards and seven scores as a sophomore

Was a three-time all-county, all-area, All-West Jersey and All-Skyland Conference selection

Was invited to play in the Chesapeake Bowl and the North-South Offense/Defense all-star games

Named a three-star prospect by all four major recruiting services and was a Top 100 national recruit as a multi-position player

Also earned three letters in basketball

Attained all-area and all-county honors in basketball

Was a three-year member of the Honor Roll and earned the school’s Bradshaw Award for academic and athletic success.

Full name is Jason W. Cabinda

Son of De-Gaulle and Natalie Cabinda

Has older twin sisters, Linda and Loretta

Enjoys playing basketball, finding new music and watching ESPN’s “30 for 30” documentary series

Majoring in economics

Interested in a career in investment banking

Born March 17, 1996 in Buena Park, California.

2017

fumbles
REC	LOST	FUM
1.0	0.0	0.0

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
6.5	1.0	88.0	0.0	3.0	2.5	34.0

2016

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
4.0	1.0	80.0	0.0	3.0	1.0	36.0

2015

interceptions
TD	AVG	YDS	INT
0.0	0.0	0.0	1.0