2022 four-star quarterback Tayven Jackson is the first quarterback that will play at Tennessee that was specifically recruited in high school by Vols head coach Josh Heupel.

Jackson, 6-foot-4/195 lbs from Greenwood, IN, committed to Tennessee in late April. He's rated in 247Sports' composite rankings as the No. 13 overall quarterback in the 2022 recruiting class.

The Indiana native is an athletic passer who can improvise when a play goes south. He also has a gifted arm. Physically, he's a great fit for Heupel's offense.

The athletic ability is great, but that's not the main reason Jackson is a perfect match for Heupel and the Vols.

It's because Jackson has the intangibles that Heupel desires in a quarterback — elite leadership and loving football more than the average player.

"It's about the makeup and the guy inside as much as it is anything," said Heupel in January during his introductory press conference when asked about what he likes in a quarterback.

"How competitive are they? I think that's extremely important. What drives them every day? What is their ability to react and respond to adverse situations? Can they wipe the slate clean from the previous play? Can they handle all the noise and all the pressure that's going on around them, not just on game day, but in everyday life as they walk through campus? Can they meet the expectations and the work habits that you have to have?"

Jackson has the exact mindset that Heupel described nine months ago.

"You have to be a leader off the field," said Jackson during a recent interview with VolQuest. "You have to show how to do the right thing and how to handle criticism as a quarterback. I think off the field leadership is great but on the field leadership is also great. You’ve got to work hard in practice. You have to show great leadership, great power, and great tenacity."

"Some quarterbacks, you know, if a player sees you’re being soft, they aren’t going to want to mess with you or get on your train. Or be led by you. I think that’s what I need to bring into Tennessee. To bring toughness and grit.”

That's exactly the kind of attitude that a quarterback needs to thrive in the SEC. And that's one of the big reasons why I think Jackson has the potential to be a star for the Volunteers in the coming years.

Heupel is just getting started at Tennessee. Once he gets some depth and some more talent, it's going to be game on in the SEC East.

Featured image via Rivals.com