The North Texas Mean Green have named fifth-year senior Tayven Jackson as their starting quarterback for the team's Sept. 5 road opener against the Indiana Hoosiers. Jackson secured the starting position over sophomores Chaston Ditta and Chris Jimerson Jr., and freshman Ziondre Williams.
Jackson joins North Texas after playing for Indiana from 2023-24 and spending the 2025 season with the UCF Knights. During his time with UCF, he recorded 2,151 passing yards, 10 passing touchdowns, and eight interceptions, with a passer rating of 126.2. He also contributed three rushing touchdowns. This marks Jackson's fourth collegiate stop, having previously played for the Tennessee Volunteers in 2022 before transferring to Indiana.
At Indiana, Jackson made six starts between the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He is the younger brother of Trayce Jackson-Davis, a former Indiana standout forward and current NBA player for the Toronto Raptors.
North Texas is under new leadership this season, with former West Virginia and Troy coach Neal Brown taking over as head coach. The Mean Green are coming off a program-best 12-2 season, but lost their previous head coach, Eric Morris, to Oklahoma State.
Indiana, which is coming off its first National Championship title, will feature former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover under center. Hoover's statistics over the past two seasons show an average of 3,710.5 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns, and 12 interceptions per season, with a completion rate of 66.2%.
The Week 1 matchup between Indiana and North Texas will be broadcast by FOX's "Big Noon Kickoff."