Tom Allen and the Indiana football program have landed its starting quarterback for the 2023 season in Tennessee transfer, Tayven Jackson.
Coming out of Center Grove High School from the 2022 class, Tayven Jackson was a four-star recruit and many high-level college scouts believed him to be one of the best quarterbacks in the 2022 class.
Jackson was ranked as the 13th-best quarterback in the 2022 recruiting class according to 247Sports but found himself serving as a backup behind a senior Heisman candidate, Hendon Hooker, who finished the 2022 season with 3,152 passing yards (30th in FBS), 69.6 completion percentage (9th in FBS), and 27 touchdowns (tied for 18th in FBS).
Adding to that, Tennessee also brought in the No. 3 overall quarterback from the 2023 recruiting class, Nico Iamaleava, and it just seemed like it was meant for Jackson to come back home. It almost seemed like Jackson was getting pushed out the door in Knoxville.
The 6-foot-3 quarterback appeared in three games for Tennessee as a freshman, completing three of his four pass attempts for 37 yards and totaling four rushing attempts for 10 yards and a touchdown run against Akron on September 17.
The sophomore, brother of senior Indiana basketball star, Trayce Jackson-Davis, seemed to find comfort in Bloomington alongside his brother and head coach, Tom Allen.
Prior to his commitment to transfer to Indiana, Jackson attended his brother’s game against No. 18 Wisconsin on Saturday, January 14th. The Hoosiers dominated the Badgers, 63-45, and along with it, Hoosier Nation helped out a bit with a “Tayven Jackson” chant during the game.
Looks like IU's potential future QB1 Tayven Jackson enjoyed his name being chanted in Assembly Hall today. Even #IUFB coach Tom Allen joined in on the fun.@WISH_TV @IndianaFootball @IUBarstool @barstoolindy pic.twitter.com/JKTlIWJ7fa
— Angela Moryan (@SidelineStormer) January 14, 2023
Just three days later, Tayven Jackson announced his official commitment to Tom Allen and the Indiana football program and it looks like the Hoosiers have found their starting quarterback for the 2023 season, especially with the injury to Dexter Williams II.
It seems as though as much as Tom Allen and Hoosier Nation already love Jackson, the feeling is mutual coming from Tayven as well:
"“I love Coach Allen. I love his energy and his enthusiasm. He coaches with a chip on his shoulder and I play with a chip on my shoulder. We have a great relationship, and hopefully can grow on that.”"
Will Jackson thrive in the cream and crimson like his brother or will he fold under the pressure that is building up from Indiana football fans? I’ve got a great feeling about this hometown Hoosier and cannot wait to see him play!