Josh Jacobs played college football at the University of Alabama. He was part of a loaded backfield that featured two other future NFL running backs in Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough during his freshman season. As a freshman, he rushed 85 times for 567 yards and four touchdowns. Jacobs was named the MVP of the 2018 SEC Championship Game against the Georgia Bulldogs after rushing for 83 yards with two touchdowns. He was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.