Jones also came to MSU five years ago and has worked his way up in the rankings to the No. 9 spot among 157-pounders. But that’s about where the similarities end. Jones speaks softly, keeps to himself and lets his wrestling do the talking.

But when the pair is called upon to lead the rest of the Spartans into battle, Jacobs and Jones do so with mastery by utilizing their own unique styles.

“Anthony leads by example,” Jacobs said. “He’s not a very vocal guy, but he doesn’t have to be with his work ethic. I’m pretty vocal, I’m pretty animated. I like to think I also lead by example, but still make the guys laugh.”

This season, Jacobs has posted an overall record of 22-8 — 10-4 during duals — second only to Jones’ 11-3 dual mark. Jones also has accrued a 19-6 overall record this season and has not fallen in a major decision.

Both wrestlers were selected to compete in the upcoming Big Ten championships, Jacobs at the No. 6 seed in his class, and Jones at the No. 4 seed.

Jones missed all of last season due to a shoulder injury, but said the experience, and the support of his teammates, helped him grow both as a wrestler and a person.

“Definitely a humbling experience, but my teammates helped me through it; coaches and family helped me through it,” he said. “They kept me strong physically and mentally.”

Head coach Tom Minkel said he has been impressed with the way both wrestlers have evolved in their time with the team.

“Anthony was just a little quiet and, I think, a little shy when he came to college,” he said. “But since he’s been here, it’s been really fun to watch his development, his maturity as a young man and as a wrestler.”

But as impressed as Minkel has been with Jones’ growth, he was equally surprised with Jacobs’ emergence as a leader.

“I don’t think anyone would have predicted (Jacobs) to be a nationally ranked wrestler here at Michigan State,” he said.

“But his technical skills and abilities on the mat have really, really grown, particularly in the last couple years. So I think that, combined with his outgoing personality — and he really cares about his teammates — those things all together have molded him into a guy that the team looks up to.”

But when Jones and Jacobs step off the mat, they’ll be headed in near opposite directions again.

Jones said he will continue his wrestling career, and hopefully one day compete in the Olympics, a goal Minkel said is certainly attainable thanks to his connections to the international wrestling world.

Jacobs on the other hand, is less interested in continuing his wrestling career and more interested in pursuing his love of acting. A theatre major, Jacobs has acted in several plays, including productions of “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “As You Like It.”

After graduation, Jacobs plans on flying out to Las Vegas to meet with former UFC fighter and actor Randy Couture, a personal friend of Minkel’s. Jacobs said he hopes to be introduced to Couture’s agent and hopefully begin a long career in the acting world.

Wherever Jones and Jacobs end up, both said they won’t ever forget their time or the relationships that they built.

“That bond that we as senior teammates have made … we came together, and now we’re extremely close,” Jacobs said. “Going back to my senior teammates, just looking at them and knowing they’re doing exactly what I’m doing, going through the same regiments, the same schedule. And the strength that I took from them; that’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”