While at the University of Texas, Jacob garnered many All- American honors. In 2008, during his junior year, he led off the NCAA Indoor Championship winning DMR. He also ran on the World Record setting DMR earlier that season. In the spring, Hernandez was a key factor in Texas' sweep of the 3 distance relays at the Penn Relays. He ran on both the winning DMR and 4x800. His split on the 4x800 was the fastest of the meet. He continued to roll throughout the season, winning his first individual NCAA title, taking the 800m crown.
In his senior season, Jacob won his first indoor 800m title at the NCAA Championships and again anchored the winning 4x800m at the Penn Relays. A hamstring injury during the Big 12 4x400m kept him from defending his Outdoor NCAA title.
