How Indiana Chose Tayven Jackson as Starting Quarterback: 'He Plays Better Than He Practices'

Indiana's quarterback competition between Tayven Jackson and Brendan Sorsby extended through the first two weeks of the season, as coach Tom Allen felt he needed to see the fellow redshirt freshmen perform in a game setting. Heading into a Week 3 contest against Louisville, Allen named Jackson Indiana's starting quarterback.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – When Tayven Jackson announced his decision to transfer to Indiana in January, most figured he was the odds-on choice as Indiana’s starting quarterback in 2023. The chorus grew even louder after Jackson’s Friday night performance against Indiana State.

On Monday, Indiana coach Tom Allen agreed. He announced Jackson as the starting quarterback for Indiana’s Week 3 game against Louisville at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, a fond setting for Jackson.

It’s now Jackson’s job to lose, as Indiana has no plans to keep alternating between Jackson and Brendan Sorsby mid-game. There’s the looming return of quarterback Dexter Williams II from ACL surgery, which could be around midseason, but Jackson now has a chance to take the job and run with it, literally and figuratively.

“I felt like we needed to get a full game evaluation, because it was so close,” Allen said. “There's nothing like the game, the ebbs and flows of the game, emotions of the game. I felt like there was just a poise to that part of it and an ability to move our team down the field. At the end of the day, that's really what it comes down to, being able to score points.”

In Indiana’s 41-7 win over Indiana State, Jackson completed 18-of-21 passes for 236 yards and led the Hoosiers on three consecutive scoring drives to start the game. He didn’t pass for any touchdowns, but he scored his first career touchdown as a Hoosier on a 10-yard rush. Jackson avoided turnovers in his first two games, as well.

Indiana's Tayven Jackson (2) passes during the first half against Indiana State at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023 :: © Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK

Sorsby completed 9-of-16 passes for 108 yards and ran the ball six times for 28 yards. An eight-play, 55-yard drive led by Sorsby was wiped away by a Jaylin Lucas fumble. For the most part, Sorsby was adequate in two games.

Allen and staff broke down film from the first two games, analyzing 76 snaps from Jackson and 62 from Sorsby. Indiana offensive coordinator Walt Bell said one’s play in practice or a game is never as good or as bad as it seems live, and their decision was much more film-based than a gut reaction.

Allen said he was not going to make a decision when he walked off the field Friday, because he wanted to take a deep breath, evaluate the film and make sure the staff was on the same page.

Because the competition was so close in practice and neither had much in-game experience at all, Allen said the final piece to the evaluation process was how they played on game day.

“I think [Jackson] plays better than he practices in regards to even some executional things. Some guys are like that, when the lights are on and the pressure's on and you've got to make those throws and you've got to make plays and people are in your face, you're getting hit. But I thought it was pretty telling.”

Allen said he made the decision Saturday, then communicated his choice Sunday. Following a lift and team walkthrough, Allen welcomed Jackson and Sorsby into his office and delivered the news. Allen said when making these decisions in the past, he told the quarterbacks individually, but he felt it was important Jackson and Sorsby got the same, crystal-clear message – Jackson has to perform, and Sorsby has to be ready.

“It was a dream come true.” Jackson said. “It’s everything that you want to hear from a coach. Coming here, it’s been a struggle. It’s been hard going through a quarterback battle, but that’s life. So it’s a relief.”

Jackson comes from an athletic family, who he often leans on for advice. His father, Ray, played cornerback at Washington State and was a member of the Cougars’ 1998 Pac-10 champion and Rose Bowl team

“When I found out I was going to be a starter, my dad called me and told me, ‘Check on Sorsby because you would want Sorsby to check on you,’” Jackson said. “And he puts it in perspective of, ‘What if you didn’t get that nod. How would you feel? You would want someone to be there for you,’ and I think my dad does a phenomenal job of doing that.’’

His brother, Trayce Jackson-Davis, was a first-team All-American on the Hoosiers’ basketball team last year and now plays for the Golden State Warriors. He congratulated his younger brother winning the job.

“Good job, young king. Don’t look back,” Tayen recalls Trayce saying. “My brother is not a very emotional guy, but I am toward him. Getting that from him, that speaks louder than what he actually said.”

Jackson was humble in his first press conference after being named the starter, saying he walked off the field Friday simply happy that Indiana won and not focused on whether he did enough to win the job. He knew it was ultimately the coaches’ decision, so all he could control was his attitude and effort, which allowed him to play freely.

After beginning his career at Tennessee, Jackson said the number one task since joining a new program has been learning every facet of the offense, from the offensive line to the receivers, and of course, his responsibilities. Bell agreed that system knowledge has been Jackson’s biggest area of growth since January.

“You call something, and he’s at a point now where he can start to see it in his brain,” Bell said.

Jackson now approaches his second-career start – his first as the undisputed QB1 – and it’ll come against an undefeated Louisville squad in a familiar setting. Attending Center Grove High School in Greenwood, Ind., Jackson lost his first shot at a state title in 2021, when Center Grove fell to Carmel High School at Lucas Oil Stadium. But during his junior and senior seasons, Jackson helped the Trojans win 28 consecutive games and back-to-back state titles.

Indiana held a fall camp practice at Lucas Oil Stadium on Aug. 18, which brought back fond memories for Jackson and helped the Hoosiers prepare for their pivotal Week 3 contest. Jackson said it’s a different feel playing inside a dome versus an outdoor stadium, so it was especially helpful for the wide receivers adjusting to the bright ceiling lights.

For Jackson, the practice brought memories of high school success with his coach, Eric Moore, a five-time state champion and member of the Indiana High School Football Hall of Fame. Saturday represents a chance to replicate those winning ways.

“I kind of know about everything, the environment,” Jackson said. “So I’m just going to go in there and try to win the football game.”

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