Why Tennessee Vols fans should be extremely excited about true freshman QB Tayven Jackson after this week

The Tennessee Vols will have five-star sensation Nico Iamaleava on campus in 2023, but the highly touted quarterback likely won't start in Knoxville as a true freshman. That's mostly because the Vols have another potential star quarterback in Tayven Jackson, a former four-star recruit from Indiana. Jackson signed with Tennessee this past December. He's the […]

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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The Tennessee Vols will have five-star sensation Nico Iamaleava on campus in 2023, but the highly touted quarterback likely won't start in Knoxville as a true freshman.

That's mostly because the Vols have another potential star quarterback in Tayven Jackson, a former four-star recruit from Indiana.

Jackson signed with Tennessee this past December. He's the first high school quarterback that Vols head coach Josh Heupel has brought to UT.

The talented quarterback enrolled early at Tennessee, which means he's currently going through spring practice.

And so far, Jackson is receiving rave reviews.

"Tayven has been phenomenal," said Vols quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle on Wednesday. "Being a true freshman getting here early, he has not had a missed call in team yet. He has not called anything backwards, has not missed a protection call. He is completely dialed into what we are doing, which is an absolute testament to how he trained in this offseason leading into spring."

"Athletically, it is exactly what we thought, a high-level basketball player with extremely quick twitch and extremely smooth and fluid. Really, really excited with his development up to this point"

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Tennessee Vols Quarterbacks Coach Joey Halzle and spouse Cara Halzle after the NCAA football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and South Alabama Jaguars in Knoxville, Tenn. on Sunday, November 21, 2021.Utvsal1120

True freshman offensive lineman Addison Nichols was also quick to praise Jackson.

Nichols, who is roommates with Jackson, told reporters on Wednesday that the two true freshmen go over plays and signals every night together.

It sounds like Jackson, who was ranked as the No. 13 quarterback in the 2021 recruiting class, has the work ethic to be a stud in the SEC. For now, Jackson has to be the favorite to be the Vols' starting quarterback in 2023, thanks to the valuable experience he's gaining this spring and eventually this season.

Tennessee's quarterback room is certainly in a great place right now. And it's only going to get better from here.

Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

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