UCF redshirt junior quarterback Tayven Jackson is on his third team in four collegiate season. Jackson began his career in Knoxville with the Tennessee Vols, then transferred back home to Indiana (Greenwood, IN native) for two seasons and now is restarting is career as the projected starting quarterback of the UCF Knights.
In a new CBS Sports quarterback ranking Jackson came in as the No. 13 best quarterback in the Big 12.
Brad Crawford's latest article wrote: "[Coach] Scott Frost enjoyed stellar quarterback play the last time he coached the Knights and hopes to catch lightning in a bottle with the former Tennessee signee," the article wrote. "Frost will try and put his signal caller in best position to succeed. He will the offense in 2025 while utilizing 'collaborative' opinions from his staff."
Jackson played in six games with five starts over a couple years with the Hoosiers, completing 78 o͏f 1͏28 pa͏sses for 914 yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions.
He played an important role in Indiana’s win over Washington in 2024, completing 11 of his 19 passes for 124 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception.
With two years of eligibility left, Jackson will have a battle on his hands in the quarterback room that currently has UCF's Dylan Rizk and Jaccuri Brown and FAU transfer Cam Fancher but head coach Scott Frost is leaning towards starting Tayen Jackson week 1.
Here is Frost latest quote on the QB battle this off-season:
"In spring, you know, we saw a lot from all three of them that would lead us to believe they can be successful," Frost said on ESPNU. "I'll tell you the truth, I would go into the season with any one of the three and feel good that they can go win us games."
Jacurri Brown made two starts in nine games for UCF last year after transferring in from Miami. Brown stood out on the ground with 53 rushes for 401 yards and four touchdowns.
FAU transfer Cam Fancher is also a dual threat quarterback who totaled 99 carries for 365 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Jackson again by no means has a lock on the job, but many preview publications see him as the player with the highest upside in offensive coordinator Steve Cooper’s offense. What seperates Jackson is his ability to throw the ball down field and his IQ at the line of scrimmage.
The UCF Knights take on Jacksonville State on August 28th at home in Orlando in their season opener.