Jackson, Sorsby Competing for Indiana's Starting Quarterback Job

A pair of redshirt freshmen, Brendan Sorsby and Tennessee transfer Tayven Jackson, are competing to be Indiana's starting quarterback during spring practice. Indiana football coach Tom Allen expects the competition to extend into fall camp.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Four games, 10 pass attempts.

That's the extent of Tayven Jackson and Brendan Sorsby's combined in-game college football experience as they compete for Indiana's starting quarterback job.

Along with that comes a thorough learning process and a competition that Indiana coach Tom Allen expects to stretch past spring practice, through summer workouts and into fall camp.

"It's really going to be difficult to make a decision prior to [fall camp], I would think," Allen said. "Especially when you have two guys that don't have a lot of experience in games. But at the same, I love the way they're working, and I'm excited about them. I think they've both shown they can run our offense and lead our football team, which is great."

Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Tayven Jackson (3) during the second half against the Akron Zips at Neyland Stadium / Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports

Jackson, the younger brother of Indiana basketball's star forward Trayce Jackson-Davis, transferred from Tennessee to Indiana in January. Learning behind veteran quarterbacks Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton at Tennessee, Jackson appeared in three games as a true freshman against Ball State, Akron and UT-Martin. He completed 3-of-4 passes for 37 yards, while gaining 10 yards on the ground with a rushing touchdown.

Winning two state titles with Center Grove High School in Greenwood, Ind., Jackson was a four-star recruit, ranked No. 198 in the nation. At 6-foot-3, he has a strong arm and can make plays with is feet. 

Sorsby was a true freshman on the 4-8 Hoosiers in 2022, slotted behind Connor Bazelak and Jack Tuttle on the depth chart. He appeared in one game last year, getting his number called ahead of Dexter Williams II on Nov. 5 against Penn State. In that game, Sorsby completed 3-of-6 passes for eight yards and an interception, but he didn't see the field in the final three games.

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Brendan Sorsby (15) throws a pass during the second half at Memorial Stadium / Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

Allen said Indiana is past the point of initial install, and now the focus has shifted to mastering offensive coordinator Walt Bell's system and practicing situational football. Because of Jackson and Sorsby's lack of experience, Allen has emphasized the importance of creating as many game-like situations as possible. 

The Hoosiers have had two fully-padded spring practices, and Tuesday was the first time they ran two-minute drills. Allen has attempted to create as much stress, pressure and chaos on the quarterbacks during practice, because he believes that's the only way to prepare for a game.

Allen knows practice can never truly simulate a game, but he's hoping hard work over the next five months will prepare his quarterbacks for the season opener on Sept. 2 against Ohio State.

"One thing about experience is there's only one way to get it," Allen said. "So when you don't have it, you have to find ways to manufacture that. So that's why the time we have between now and September is going to be huge in everything we do ... I think it's definitely a challenge without question, but at the same time, there's been other redshirt freshmen that have come in and played, even at the [quarterback] position, so that's what this situation demands."

Allen said it's always an interesting dynamic when two players are competing for a starting job, but he thinks Jackson and Sorsby have been great with each other in the meeting rooms, practice field and off the field.

"I just think you've got two high-quality young men that have a lot of talent, that are highly competitive," Allen said. "They both want to be the guy, without question, but I think the thing that sticks out to me is just they encourage each other. It's not like they're trying to be the guy's adversary. I don't sense that whatsoever, and they're teammates."

Jackson and Sorsby are part of Indiana's leadership council, and gaining the respect of their teammates is another step in this ongoing process.

"They're both naturally that way," Allen said. "They're both guys that don't have a hard time communicating and speaking and they have that confidence about them, which is really good. I think any time you come in new, you've got to establish yourself in the weight room, establish yourself with how you're going to work, how you're going to practice and how you handle when things go your way or when things don't go your way."

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