Jacob Hobbs is going back to school, in more ways than one.

The 6-foot-3, 303-pound offensive lineman from Schenectady High School was signed to a contract as a free agent by the New York Giants this weekend, and will be on the training camp roster when the Super Bowl champions return to the University at Alb­any, where Hobbs played for four

seasons, in July.

This will also be Hobbs’ second shot at an NFL roster; he played in four preseason games with the Philadelphia Eagles last year before being cut on Sept. 1.

“I think it helps a lot to know what to expect,” he said. “I’ve got some experience. You’ve just got to be real efficient with your work. Everybody knows that job security is not tight.”

Hobbs is the first UAlbany player signed by the Giants, who have been holding training camp at the school since 1996.

He started all 10 games at left tackle as a senior for the Great Danes in 2006, earning Football Gazette Mid-Major All-America second-team and All-Northeast Conference first-team honors, and played in three games with the

Albany Conquest of arenafootball2 this spring before being invited to a Giants minicamp last weekend.

“I got used to the faster game in arena football, and the angles are different,” Hobbs said. “It was good, because I had to practice my technique, and I stayed in shape. There is an adjustment I’ll have to make, such as not declaring myself as a tight end. I caught myself doing that a couple of times in minicamp.”

Hobbs, a Class AA second-team all-state defensive end for Schen­ectady, will leave for New York next Thursday and work with the Giants right up to training camp, which is scheduled to begin with the first practices on Friday,

July 25.

He said he doesn’t expect to be distracted by the familiar surroundings once he’s back on his old practice fields in Albany, even though he expects plenty of friends and family to stop by to watch practice.

“Everybody’s happy, and telling me they have a reason to go now,” he said. “I’ve been a Giants fan since they started coming to my school. I always had my eye on them. It’s a big opportunity, and I’m grateful and humble to have it. Whenever you’re going against the best of the best, it’s a little intimidating, but I’ll just use that as motivation.”

At minicamp, the free agents and rookies went through regular non-contact practices in shorts and helmets, but no pads.

“I just went in there with the mindset of working hard, and worrying about the things I can control,” Hobbs said. “Honestly, I didn’t think it [NFL callup] would happen this quickly. I thought I was going to have to work my way up through the Arena Football League.

“The Giants called me the day

after the draft, and asked me if I was still playing ball. They said I need to get a little heavier and a little stronger. They said I have good feet. I guess they saw something in me that was coachable.”

Hobbs is the second Conquest player to be invited to an NFL minicamp this spring. Receiver Antwun Williams worked out for the New York Jets two weeks ago, and is back with the 3-3 Conquest, who have lost two straight and will play at division-leading Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Friday night.

Hobbs’ agent is Cal Robinson, who also represents Amsterdam High School graduate Josh Beekman, the former Boston College star who will be in his second NFL season after being drafted in the fourth round by the Chicago Bears last year.

Other UAlbany players who have signed as NFL free agents include Andre Coleman (San

Diego), Kurt Campbell (Oakland), Geir Gudmundsen (Buffalo), Dan Gmelin (San Diego), Seth Thomas (Carolina) and Matt Caliandro (Carolina).

“When I was in high school, this is something I never thought would ever happen,” Hobbs said.

The Giants’ training camp schedule is expected to be finalized next month.

They are expected to again hold some evening practices, which have proven to be popular in the past.

Their first preseason game will be Thursday, Aug. 7, at Detroit.