Most of the discussions that have taken place this offseason about the Tennessee Vols have centered on one of two topics — five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava or current starting quarterback Hendon Hooker.

Iamaleava is the quarterback of the future for Tennessee. He's a highly touted recruit who may or may not have accepted an $8 million deal from a collective to play for the Vols.

And Hooker is the popular transfer from Virginia Tech who took over as Tennessee's starting quarterback last season after Joe Milton struggled. Hooker threw a touchdown pass in 12 straight games for the Vols and had only three interceptions last season. He's a darkhorse candidate to win the Heisman Trophy in 2022.

It's understandable why Iamaleava and Hooker are receiving most of the hype this offseason. And it's deserved.

But Tennessee fans shouldn't be so quick to forget about true freshman quarterback Tayven Jackson, a former four-star recruit who signed with the Vols during the 2022 recruiting cycle.

As long as Hooker stays healthy, he'll be the guy in 2022 for the Vols. The only way Jackson will see the field is if Hooker is injured. Or if he sees some garbage time action.

But in 2023, Nico's first year on campus, it could be Jackson that's Tennessee's starting quarterback.

In fact, I expect that to be the case.

Jackson didn't arrive in Knoxville with the same fanfare as Iamaleava, but he's a highly-talented quarterback who has the skills to excel in the SEC.

Here's the scouting report on Jackson from 247Sports:

Athletic passer with good physical traits. Has height and the body to fill in. Multi-sport guy who does athletic tasks fluidly and easily on the field. Mobile and elusive in the pocket. Can take off and make plays with his feet. Gets rid of the ball quickly, does not try to hold it too long or sandlot play despite his athleticism.

One of the most encouraging things about Jackson is that he's a winner. He led his high school team to back-to-back Class 6A state championships (Indiana). Winning in high school doesn't mean that Jackson will win at Tennessee, but I'd say it makes the odds a lot better that he will.

Jackson is probably going to be the starting quarterback for the Vols in 2023. And he could make it tough on Iamaleava to see the field early. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Competition breeds greatness. And I don't think Tennessee fans really care which quarterback starts, as long as one of them can give the Vols a shot at reaching the College Football Playoff.

Featured image via Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK