South Alabama linebacker Khalil Jacobs has re-entered the NCAA transfer portal, AL.com has confirmed.

Jacobs first entered the portal in January following the departure of head coach Kane Wommack to become defensive coordinator at Alabama. Jacobs reported a scholarship offer from Alabama at the time, but withdrew from the portal a few days later after offensive coordinator Major Applewhite was promoted to head coach.

The 6-foot-2, 218-pound Jacobs totaled 56 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and three forced fumbles in a part-time role as a sophomore in 2023, but was expected to be the Jaguars’ starting Mike (strong inside) linebacker and defensive leader this fall. The Niceville, Fla., native has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

With Jacobs’ departure, sophomore Blayne Myrick, senior Gavin Forsha and junior Dalton Hughes are among the candidates to start at Mike linebacker. Myrick, a Fairhope native, was ticketed to be the Jaguars’ starting Stinger (weak inside) linebacker in 2024.

Jacobs is one of two high-profile South Alabama players who entered the portal on Friday morning, along with offensive lineman Adrein Strickland. The Jaguars have lost four other players — safeties Keith Gallmon, Jamarrien Burt and Tremel States-Jones and wide receiver Caeleb Schlachter — to the portal since the end of spring practice.

Football players have until April 30 to inform their schools they are entering the transfer portal. Jacobs re-entering the portal was first reported by 247 Sports.

South Alabama went 7-6 and won the 68 Ventures Bowl in 2023. The Jaguars open the 2024 season at home Aug. 31 vs. North Texas.