UCF QB Tayven Jackson plans to enter NCAA transfer portal

UCF quarterback Tayven Jackson plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. It was the third school of his career.

Jackson previously played at Tennessee, then two years at Indiana. He left the Hoosiers after the 2024 campaign and landed in the Big 12 at UCF under Scott Frost.

This season, Jackson threw for 2,151 yards, 10 touchdowns, eight interceptions, a 63.5% completion percentage and added three touchdowns on the ground. Over the course of his career (27 games), he has 3,451 yards, 16 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, a 63.5% completion percentage and eight rushing touchdowns.

As a member of the Class of 2022, Jackson was a four-star recruit out of Greenwood (Ind.) Center Grove, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking. He was the No. 6 overall prospect in the state, the No. 11 quarterback in the class and the No. 186 overall prospect in the class.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

“Ups and downs,” Jackson said when asked to reflect on his season. “Some good, some bad. Learning. This was my first year of playing a significant amount of games. As the season went on, I felt more comfortable. Obviously I battled through injury almost every game this year, but that’s just football.”

He was non-committal about his future, mostly, but made it clear he had an appreciation for Frost. The 2025 team will hold a special place in his heart. When pressed whether that’s a culture he still wants to be part of, he didn’t hesitate: “Yeah.”

“When I went in the portal, Coach Frost was the first to call me,” Jackson said. “I was just looking for a place to play and showcase my talent, and Coach Frost blessed me with that opportunity.”