Welcome to the third and final chapter of Joseph’s Gems 2026.

But before we move forward — what’s a Gem?

Gems are measured by a select handful of categories:

Size — How they compare amongst traditional NFL counterparts

RAS — Do they possess the athleticism to compete at the highest level?

Stats — When on the field, did they make plays?

Competition — How did they perform when the lights were the brightest?

All-Star Recognition — Following recent Packers trends, did the prospect receive an invite to an All-Star Game, and how did they perform?

Based on these parameters, prospects can be classified as follows:

0 out of 5: Coal

1 out of 5: Very Included

2 out of 5: Included

3 out of 5: Slightly Included

4 out of 5: Gem

5 out of 5: Diamond in the Rough

So, for our next Gem of 2026, we’ll stay in the trenches and take a look at Syracuse defensive lineman Kevin Jobity Jr.

Kevin Jobity Jr. hails from Buffalo, New York, where he played for Maryvale High School. A three-star defensive end and the No. 8 prospect in the state, Jobity drew considerable interest from programs like Army, Harvard, Lehigh, Princeton, Syracuse, Villanova, and Yale, among others. He made it clear early that Syracuse was the choice, taking just one official visit before committing to the Orange soon after. Primarily a basketball and soccer player, Jobity didn’t fully turn to football until his senior year — and when he did, he took off. He finished with 68 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles, earning First Team All-State and First Team All-Section VI honors.

Jobity saw the field almost immediately for the Orange, working his way into the rotation as a freshman before mid-season and finishing with 2 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss. He followed that up with a sophomore campaign where he appeared in all 13 games, tallying 30 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. Everyone expected his junior year to be the breakout — but it was cut short by a season-ending injury. He came back with something to prove, however, closing out his Syracuse career with 30 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, a forced fumble, and even a pass defensed.

You can look at Jobity's highlights here:

When I turned on the tape, the first thing that stood out was how disruptive Jobity can be. He’s quick off the ball — cat-like — and it shows up immediately. He collapses the pocket with that burst, giving guards and centers problems with how quickly he gets into gaps. He fires low, stays compact, and shoots through space like a basketball player attacking the rim, making himself small to slip through and finish. And once he’s in it, he’s in it. He’s got a bit of a Reggie White-esque hump move that works really well for him — something he’ll pair with a swim or a swipe to keep blockers off balance. You love to see it, because when it hits, it hits clean. But he leans on it a bit too much, and that’s likely a product of where he is developmentally. It’s rare to see him out of the frame. He finds his way into the play one way or another, keeping his head on a swivel and working back toward the ball — whether that’s chasing down cutbacks or tracking a scrambling quarterback.

So is Jobity a Gem? Hmmm....

Size

At 6'4, 308lbs with 33.5-inch arms, Jobity has the frame you’re looking for along the defensive line, with the versatility to line up across the front. Given Gannon's multiple-front approach, Jobity can make personnel for these schemes soooo easy because he doesn't have to come off the field; it's just a simple change of assignment. He’s not a massive interior presence just yet, but there’s enough there to work with — especially if he adds more strength at the next level. Check.

RAS

Jobity's versatility is confirmed right here. 8.87 as a traditional defensive tackle, 8.68 as a three-tech, and 9.15 as a nose. If Jonathan Gannon can't find a spot for this guy, I have many questions.  Check.

Stats

30 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks to close out his career is solid production, especially coming off a season-ending injury the year prior. You’d like to see a bit more consistency over time, but the flashes are there, hence the double digits in sacks and tackles for loss. Check.

Competition

Playing in the ACC, Jobity faced legitimate offensive line talent and still found ways to be disruptive. His quickness translated, and he showed he could affect the pocket against quality competition. That matters. Check.

All-Star Recognition

None. No check.

Certification

With a score of 4 out of 5, Syracuse’s Kevin Jobity Jr. is a CERTIFIED GEM who should hear his name called in the 5th Round with the upside to far outplay that selection.

Are the Packers interested in Kevin Jobity Jr.?

Possibly.

The Green Bay Packers were in attendance for Syracuse’s Pro Day — as was most of the league — so the exposure is there.

What makes this interesting is the class itself. This defensive line group is full of “one-trick ponies.” You don’t see many guys who can comfortably fit across multiple fronts — most are scheme-specific, and this year especially skews toward even fronts. For a team like the Packers that values versatility and mixing looks, Jobity could be one of those players who rises higher than expected.

On paper, the room has bodies. Javon Hargrave is there to handle nose duties, but if he misses time, things get complicated quickly. Karl Brooks likely becomes the first man up behind Devonte Wyatt, but beyond that, you’re asking questions. Warren Brinson and Nazir Stackhouse haven’t shown they’re long-term answers. And when you start looking at odd front personnel, it gets even murkier. Who’s setting the edge? Wyatt was drafted into a different system and didn’t fit as a 3–4 end — we’ve seen that story already. Repeating that experiment doesn’t make much sense. That leaves names like Anthony Campbell and Jaden Crumedy trying to piece together a role — and that’s not exactly comforting.

Jobity, on the other hand, gives you something stable. He provides a comfortable floor with a ceiling that’s still largely undefined — and that’s a direct result of how new he is to the game. You’re talking about a player with roughly four and a half years of football under his belt. There’s still room to grow, physically and technically. Put him in an NFL strength program, let a coaching staff get their hands on him, and at minimum, you’re looking at a rotational player who can spot start. At best? There’s real upside here. The question isn’t what Jobity can become — it’s whether the Packers are willing to invest in finding out.

That wraps up the 2026 class of Gems. Will the Packers select any of the three? Less than 24 hours to find out. I'll catch you guys on the CHTV Live Stream Thursday night, where we break down selection by selection of the 1st Round.

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