Jacob Seth Lofland was born in Briggsville, Arkansas, to Debra and Billy Lofland. Jacob began his film career playing Neckbone in Jeff Nichols' Mud (2012), with Matthew McConaughey and Tye Sheridan. Lofland was quick to recognize that he fit every adjective of Neck's personality description, as well as bringing the boating and cycle riding experience Jeff was looking for. Less than three weeks after seeing the open casting call in the paper, he took his first plane ride to Austin, Texas, to audition for Jeff Nichols and producer Sarah Green. He was offered the role within 24 hours, and within a month found himself on location with a full movie crew. When Lofland is not acting he enjoys fishing, boating, hunting, and riding dirt bikes, which he began at the age of six. By age 11, after attending dirt track races with his family, he became interested in racing go-karts, and soon graduated to the 600 MiniSprint.