Indiana QB Tayven Jackson Fourth in Pro Football Focus Pass Grade Week 2

Following a full weekend of games, Pro Football Focus (PFF) considered Tayven Jackson's effort against Indiana State one of the best passing performances of the entire slate. Jackson received a 93.2 pass grade from PFF, which ranked fourth highest out of 209 graded quarterbacks.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana may have found its quarterback.

Following a 41-7 win over Indiana State on Friday, Indiana coach Tom Allen said he and staff will evaluate the first two weeks of play, then decide on a starter between Tayven Jackson and Brendan Sorsby. The fellow redshirt freshmen both played against Ohio State and Indiana State, with Jackson taking 76 snaps and Sorsby, 62. 

Jackson played especially well against Indiana State, leading three consecutive touchdown drives to start the game. He finished the night completing 18-of-21 passes for 236 yards, zero touchdowns and zero interceptions. A 10-yard rush in the first quarter marked Jackson's first career touchdown as a Hoosier.

Following a full weekend of games, Pro Football Focus (PFF) considered Jackson's effort one of the best passing performances of the entire weekend. Jackson received a 93.2 pass grade from PFF, which ranked fourth highest out of 209 graded quarterbacks. 

It's the highest grade of any Big Ten quarterback, behind only Arkansas' KJ Jefferson, South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers, who only attempted four passes, and Toledo's Dequan Finn.

PFF gave Jackson a 91.6 grade for offense, which factors in the holistic performance and not just passing. This ranked among the nation's best, too, coming in at No. 9 out of 209.

Jackson's 85.7 completion percentage ranks No. 3 on Indiana's single-game charts. He is just the second Hoosier with a completion percentage above 80 on 20-or-more attempts, behind Payton Ramsey, who did it against UConn in 2019 and Virginia in 2017.

Indiana QB Tayven Jackson dropping dimes on Indiana State
https://t.co/6O3Nbgg9hZ

— NFL Highs (@frito_paw) September 8, 2023

Against Indiana State, Sorsby received an 83.0 pass grade from PFF, as he completed 9-of-16 passes for 108 yards, zero touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also ran the ball six times for 28 yards. PFF gave Sorsby a 70.2 pass grade against Ohio State, a solid number given the daunting opponent in his first collegiate start. Jackson received a 52.6 pass grade in Week 1. 

Sorsby has been adequate through two weeks, but it seems Jackson has done enough to win the job. Next weekend, Indiana has one of its most pivotal games of the season, matching up with Louisville on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

After rotating quarterbacks the first two weeks, Allen wants to ultimately settle on one for the Louisville game.

"I think our guys played well in both of them, to be honest with you," Allen said after Friday's game. "But at the same time, you got to have a guy. I really do believe that's important."

Related stories on Indiana football

• GAME STORY: Coach Tom Allen and the Indiana Hoosiers defeated Indiana State 41-7 on Friday at Memorial Stadium. It was a dominant win for IU, led by quarterback Tayven Jackson and an unforgiving defense, though it was clear all night that the visiting team was overmatched. CLICK HERE
• JACK'S TAKE: With an incredible diving catch, Indiana wide receiver Cam Camper claimed the No. 2 spot on SporstCenter's Top 10 Plays. Camper caught three passes for 37 yards before leaving the game with an injury. CLICK HERE
• PODCAST RECAP: Indiana quarterback Tayven Jackson's performance was the story of Friday night's game against Indiana State, so naturally, his potential status as the full-time starting quarterback was the topic of discussion on today's Hoosier Roundtable Podcast. CLICK HERE
• WHAT TOM ALLEN SAID: Indiana football coach Tom Allen met with media following the Hoosiers' 41-7 win over Indiana State Friday Night at Memorial Stadium. Here's everything he said. CLICK HERE
• WHAT JAYLIN LUCAS SAID: Indiana State had no answer for Indiana running back Jaylin Lucas Friday night, as he rushed for 88 yards and two touchdowns, while also hauling in four receptions for 39 yards. Here's what Lucas said after the game. CLICK HERE