Former Tennessee QB named starter for AAC program, per report
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Tayven Jackson was named the starting QB at North Texas on Wednesday, according to a report from CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz. The former 4-star prospect is set to lead the Mean Green as they take the field against Indiana in Week 1.
It’ll be a familiar foe for Jackson. Interestingly, the former Vol played 2 seasons in Bloomington after spending his freshman season at Tennessee.
The former Vol committed to Tennessee as a 4-star prospect in the Class of 2022, but entered the transfer portal after being placed third on the depth chart behind Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton with 5-star prospect Nico Iamaleava set to join the fray in 2023.
Jackson landed at Indiana and struggled to make an impact. He transferred to UCF after two seasons with the Hoosiers and was named the Knights’ starter. For the 2025 season, Jackson totaled 2,151 yards, 10 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.
Jackson is now set to take over for standout Mean Green quarterback Drew Mestemaker, whose 4,379 passing yards led all of college football in 2025. Mestemaker and North Texas accomplished a lot, finishing 11-2 and just missing out on a spot in the College Football Playoff after losing to Tulane in the AAC Championship game.
With Mestemaker now at Oklahoma State, Jackson is set to run the show in Denton.
Ethan Stone is a Saturday Down South News Editor and an advocate for the return of the Seattle Supersonics.
