Highland Park’s Jacob Youra was ready for change. More important, he was prepared to make it happen.

Youra hardly played early last season. Then he suffered an ankle injury that sidelined him as the formerly winless Giants reeled off three straight victories to finish the season.

“I probably made it to around 90% of our workouts and lifts in the offseason, which I hadn’t done in the past,” Youra said. “Once I was done with physical therapy, I realized I had to lock in.

“I went into the offseason saying, ‘I have to play a lot. It’s my senior year, and it’s my last chance.’”

Youra, whose offseason work also included track and field in the spring, looks back at a joint practice with Libertyville over the summer as another turning point.

“That was the first competition-based playing that I was able to participate in, and I loved it,” he said. “The summer was huge for my confidence.”

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Youra is playing like it this season. He’s not only starting at defensive end for the Giants (2-0) but also finding ways to affect the outcome of games.

Highland Park’s Jacob Youra, shown during a practice at Wolters Field in Highland Park on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, had two sacks and a fumble recovery against rival Deerfield last week. (Brian O’Mahoney / News-Sun)

Youra’s best game to date was Highland Park’s 28-21 come-from-behind win against rival Deerfield last week. He had two sacks and recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter that was integral to the Giants’ comeback.

Youra’s second sack came on fourth down in the game’s final seconds and clinched Highland Park’s first win over Deerfield since 2017.

“That final play was one of the best feelings ever,” he said. “The whole game had sort of a surreal feeling, and it meant so much for us to get that win.”

It had extra meaning for Youra. He was operating more as an outside linebacker, largely because the player manning that spot in the opener, Marco Volpentesta, suffered a torn ACL in that game.

“It all went well because we were playing for him,” Youra said.

Playing in the front seven is an interesting twist for Youra, who was a cornerback and running back last season. He set the stage for that move by gaining significant weight and muscle during the offseason.

“He worked his tail off in the weight room and not only gained a lot of muscle but has some of that senior swagger in him now,” Highland Park coach Anthony Kopp said. “In the summer, we had him in a couple of different spots, but we knew he’d be on the field once the season came around.

“That’s one of the coolest things about high school football, and you see it every year, is when guys like Jacob emerge.”

Youra is grateful for the opportunity to do so at a position he loves.

“Even when I was playing cornerback, I knew more about the edge,” he said. “I love watching guys like Micah Parsons and Myles Garrett. I’m genuinely intrigued about how good they are and the art of trying to take out the quarterback.”

Highland Park’s Jacob Youra practices at Wolters Field in Highland Park on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (Brian O’Mahoney / News-Sun)

Youra’s teammates are happy to see him doing that too.

“If he hadn’t played like he did last week, we may not have won,” Highland Park senior middle linebacker Gabe Leon said. “You could see it start to click in the offseason, and his speed is really a strength. It’s also him not giving up on plays, and he always goes 100% until the whistle blows.”

Youra and his teammates have the chance to achieve Highland Park’s first 3-0 start since 2016. The Giants will tangle with Schaumburg and Conant before jumping into conference play in the Central Suburban North.

Youra is making sure to stay as grounded as possible.

“I’m taking things step by step, and that’s also how the team is approaching this,” he said. “We’ll take it one week at a time. I’m going to keep getting practice because the job isn’t done.”

Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/11/football-highland-park-jacob-youra/