Doug Meacham confirms Sam Jackson will remain Oklahoma State QB

Few programs have had as much quarterback turmoil this season as Oklahoma State. Currently, it’s receiver Sam Jackson who is lining up as the starting quarterback, and that won’t change this week against Cincinnati.

Interim coach Dough Meacham confirmed that the plan is to stick with Jackson. Starter Hauss Hejny suffered a broken foot in the first game of the season and backup Zane Flores has since gone down hurt.

“We’re just kind of looking forward to getting back in it and see how much improvement we can make at quarterback and get Sam going,” Meacham said. “Just overall don’t think that, again, we may have played our best game and hopefully it’ll happen this week. So that’s about it.”

Asked directly if Sam Jackson would be the starter against Cincinnati, Meacham confirmed. It will be his second consecutive start.

In his first outing last week, Jackson went 7-for-16 passing for 84 yards and an interception. He’ll need to play better for Oklahoma State to have a chance this weekend.

“I just appreciated that he would do that for his teammates,” Meacham said of Sam Jackson. “I know he loves playing quarterback, but I think he feels like moving forward if he had a chance at the next level it would probably be as a return guy or a slot receiver. So he’s kind of making a sacrifice, as well.”

Jackson has bounced around quite a bit during his career. He initially began at TCU after being recruited as a quarterback. But he threw only six passes in two years.

Then he landed at California in 2023, where he played significantly more quarterback. He went 51-of-96 passing for 556 yards and five touchdowns, against two interceptions.

He then transferred to Auburn, where he played quite sparingly as a receiver before moving on to Oklahoma State. The plan there for Sam Jackson was to play receiver. But he’s been pressed into duty in a weird year for the Cowboys.

Meacham was just grateful for how willing Sam Jackson has been to make the move. It’s been needed.

“He’s put a few games on tape, which demonstrates the ability to be a slot and a return guy,” Meacham said. “And I know that just like all these kids there’s a lot of opinions coming at them, and I just appreciate him doing what we need as a team and that’s what he’s doing. He’s a good teammate, good kid. Just kind of glad we have him right now.”