The Evolution Of Quarterback Jace Wilson, 2023 SWAC Newcomer of the Year

Discover the inspiring journey of Jace Wilson from Texas Southern Tigers, named the 2023 SWAC Newcomer of the Year.

When Jace Wilson transferred from Furman to Texas Southern University, he never expected that starting quarterback Andrew Body would be out for the season after the Tigers lost to Prairie View A&M in the Labor Day Classic. Body wasn't 100% healthy, and the coaching staff inserted the Missouri City native as the starter, and everything changed.   

"The great thing about being from Houston, I knew kind of half the team before I even transferred here," Wilson told HBCU Legends. "Coach McKinney made me my first offer out of high school. I feel like the locker room didn't skip a beat when there was a change at quarterback. And they galvanized around me."

Texas Southern Quarterback Jace Wilson; 2023 SWAC Newcomer of the Year; Credit: Kyle T. Mosley, HBCU Legends

Wilson embraced the enormous challenge to fill in for Body, and seized the opportunity to lead the football team. "They told me in the morning of the Toledo game that I was going be the starter," Wilson said. After his first two outings at Toledo and Rice, he and the receivers "were kind of figuring each other out." The following week after Rice, it started to come together.  

In Week 4 at Grambling, Jace Wilson had the SWAC take notice of the ` TSU offense. "We started figuring each other out that game," Wilson noted. "We had two receivers get hurt in that game as well. I think I had about 200 [total] yards and three touchdowns that game. And like you said, everything was hitting." He completed 14 out of 24 (58.3%) passes for 159 yards, three touchdowns, and 41 rushing yards in the 35-23 loss.

Over the next seven games, Jace firmly took charge and ultimately evolved into the 2023 Southwestern Athletic Conference's Newcomer of the Year.  With over 1700 passing yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023, Jace's stellar performance speaks for itself. However, he credits his teammates for their support, showing the true essence of teamwork and camaraderie on and off the field.

During the offseason, he'll continue training in Missouri City with Pure Sports Texas to withstand hits and work on his mechanics. "I will be "working on my throwing mechanics and throwing from different arm angles and also just getting to different reads and the progression, and so everything's mental," Wilson mentioned.

Jack Wilson vs. Rice; Credit: Kyle A. Mosley, HBCU Legends

Texas Southern is searching for its' new head football coach after five seasons under Coach Clarence McKinney. Instead of jumping into the NCAA transfer portal like most young student-athletes amid a change, Wilson has decided to return in 2024.  

Like most signal-callers, he has a preference. "I definitely want a pass-first coach to come in and bring a good offensive mind." Based on our conversations with Dr. Kevin Grangers, the athletics department seeks a successful leader who will connect well with the players, fans, and alumni.

Next season, with Jace Wilson and Andrew Body, the Tigers will be a formidable foe to tangle with in the SWAC.

"I'm all in, man. I'm good where I'm at, home in Houston. I like going home on the weekends, getting home-cooked meals, and being here for this university. I feel like God led me here for a reason, man."

OTHER QUOTES FROM THE JACE WILSON INTERVIEW

The Future of the Team: "I kind of feel like some of the time, in some of the games I could have made a play or two.  We're that close." — Jace Wilson  

College Football: "I grew up around the program. And so just seeing the amount of growth that he [Coach McKinney] took this program from when he first got here until now, it was a beautiful thing." — Jace Wilson 

His Analysis: "I've played well against every quarterback we played. Even with those L's, man, obviously, I'd rather take the W." — Jace Wilson 

'Family Support: "Being with him, being back in the city with him, and being able to train is gonna be big for me this offseason." — Jace Wilson