QB Tayven Jackson Attends IU Basketball Game With IU Football Coaches Tom Allen, Walt Bell

Former Tennessee quarterback Tayven Jackson, the younger brother of Trayce Jackson-Davis, is attending the Indiana basketball game with Indiana football coaches Tom Allen and Walt Bell

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – It's a big day for both programs.

As the Indiana men's basketball team battles the No. 18 Wisconsin Badgers at 1 p.m. at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, quarterback Tayven Jackson is on a recruiting visit with Indiana football head coach Tom Allen and offensive coordinator Walt Bell. The trio was seen sitting and talking behind the basket during pregame warmups.

Jackson entered the transfer portal on Friday after one season at Tennessee.

"I love Indiana and it’s always home," Jackson told HoosiersNow.com on Friday. "Me and coach Allen are going to the men’s basketball game tomorrow against Wisconsin. To talk ball."

Indiana football offensive coordinator Walt Bell (left), quarterback recruit Tayven Jackson (middle) and head coach Tom Allen (right) talk before the Indiana versus Wisconsin basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 14 at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. 

Jackson is the younger brother of Indiana basketball star forward Trayce Jackson-Davis. He attended Center Grove High School in Greenwood, Ind., where he won back-to-back undefeated Class 6A state championships. Jackson holds the school record for career passing yards, completing 329-of-547 passes for 4,813 yards and 47 touchdowns.

Jackson was four-star recruit in the class of 2022, ranked No. 198 overall and No. 13 among quarterbacks, according to the 247Sports Composite. He stands at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds.

Jackson appeared in three games for Tennessee in 2022 in a backup role. In total, he completed 3-of-4 passes for 37 yards and rushed four times for 10 yards and one touchdown.

Tennessee quarterback Tayven Jackson (3) looks for an open receiver during the NCAA college football game against UT Martin on Saturday, October 22, 2022 in Knoxville, Tenn :: Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

Indiana football coach Tom Allen is looking to add a quarterback to the 2023 roster.

"The goal is to add an additional [quarterback], an older one would be ideal," Allen said on Dec. 21.

"So that's the plan in terms of being able to have four guys on scholarship in that room and especially with Dexter's status. We're just working through that process every single day. It's neverending. It will continue these next several weeks, and the goal is to have the guy in place here for second semester."

Indiana quarterback Dexter Williams II showed flashes of promise during his redshirt sophomore season in 2022, but he suffered a knee dislocation with significant structural damage in the 2022 season finale against Purdue. Williams underwent knee surgery this offseason, and his timetable to return is uncertain at this point.

Former Indiana quarterback Connor Bazelak entered the transfer portal after starting nine games in his lone season as a Hoosier in 2022. Jack Tuttle is transferring to Michigan, and quarterback Grant Gremel is also in the transfer portal. As it currently stands, Williams II, Brendan Sorsby and incoming freshman Broc Lowry are the only scholarship quarterback on the Indiana roster entering 2023. 

Related stories on Indiana football

• TAYVEN JACKSON IN TRANSFER PORTAL: Tennessee quarterback Tayven Jackson, the younger brother of Indiana basketball star forward Trayce Jackson-Davis, has entered the transfer portal. Jackson will be in Bloomington, Ind. on Saturday for the Indiana versus Wisconsin basketball game at 1 p.m. ET. CLICK HERE
• INDIANA FOOTBALL TRANSFER PORTAL TRACKER: In our Indiana football transfer portal tracker, you can find a complete list of Hoosiers that have entered the transfer portal, declared for the NFL Draft, exhausted their collegiate eligibility and players that are transferring to Indiana for the 2023 season. We will frequently update this list throughout the offseason. CLICK HERE
• 2023 RECRUITING CLASS: Indiana signed 16 players during the early signing period on Dec. 21, including 11 high school players and 5 collegiate transfers. Here's a full breakdown of each player, complete with quotes from coach Tom Allen. CLICK HERE