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          Josh Jacobs' harrowing personal tale part of ESPN's 'Draft Academy' series

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          SC Featured: Josh Jacobs' journey from homelessness to 1st-round pick (6:58)

          Going from being homeless to becoming a first-round selection in the draft, RB Josh Jacobs has defied the odds to achieve his dream of playing in the NFL. (6:58)

          • Paul Gutierrez, ESPN Staff WriterApr 28, 2019, 12:00 PM
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              Paul Gutierrez joined NFL Nation in 2013 and serves as its Las Vegas Raiders reporter. He has a multi-platform role - writing on ESPN.com, television appearances on NFL Live and SportsCenter, and podcast and radio appearances. Before coming to ESPN, Gutierrez spent three years at CSN Bay Area as a multi-platform reporter, covering the Raiders and Oakland Athletics as well as anchoring the SportsNet Central cable news show. Gutierrez votes for the Baseball Hall of Fame and is also a member of the Professional Football Writers of America and currently serves as the PFWA's Las Vegas chapter president. He is also a member of the California Chicano News Media Association and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Gutierrez has authored three books: Tommy Davis' Tales from the Dodgers Dugout, 100 Things Raiders Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die and If These Walls Could Talk: Stories from the Raiders Sideline, Locker Room and Press Box with Lincoln Kennedy. You can follow Paul on Twitter @PGutierrezESPN
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          Former Alabama running back Josh Jacobs is one of six players profiled on their respective roads to the NFL in the ESPN+ eight-part documentary series Draft Academy. Jacobs, who was drafted by the Raiders with the No. 24 overall pick, was the first running back selected.

          Jacobs had one of the more compelling personal stories as he grew up homeless at times, sleeping in the family car with his father some nights.

          “For me, football is kind of like my peace,” Jacobs said after the Raiders selected him and his journey brought him to the team headquarters. “It’s like the one place I feel like I can do no wrong.

          "Growing up and going through everything that I’ve been through -- being homeless, living in hotels and stuff -- football was always an outlet. That’s what kind of drives me and that’s where I found the love of the game and that’s why I play with so much emotion.”