By Jimmy Hyams
Quarterback Tayven Jackson has an adjustment to make.
The Tennessee signee will soon be operating in a hurry-up offense that ranks among the fastest in the nation.
In high school, that wasn’t the case.
“I probably ran the slowest offense in high school history,’’ Jackson said. ‘’It’s a really old, old offense. It’s the Wing-T offense.
“But I’m very capable of doing that because I play basketball and run track. That’s all fast.’’
Jackson watched Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker operate the Vols’ up-tempo attack with great effectiveness and envisioned himself in a similar role.
“I kind of just put myself in his shoes,’’ Jackson said. “I feel like I have the skill set, almost the same as Hendon Hooker. We can both run, we can both pass. I can’t wait to meet him and learn from him next year. … I couldn’t ask for anyone else to come in and model my game after.’’
While some incoming quarterbacks might prefer that the veteran depart so the competition is open, Jackson doesn’t see it that way.
“I was very excited (when Hooker said he was returning,),’’ Jackson said. “He brings great energy and he is a leader. I’m excited to see how much better he’ll get in the offseason and come out next season and light it up and hopefully he gets the Heisman.’’
Jackson said it was “awesome’’ to watch UT’s offense this past season. The Vols averaged 38.8 points per game, over 450 total yards, and scored 28 first-quarter points against Missouri and South Carolina.
“It was crazy because everything coach (Josh) Heup (Heupel) told me they would do, they did it, and they did it very well. They had a great scheme every game.
“You don’t want a coach that tells you something and does something difference. But that’s not coach Heup. He’s very real and truthful.’’
Jackson committed to Tennessee in April, four months before the Vols teed it up in the fall. The quarterback from Greenwood, Indiana, had a belief in the system.
“I trusted coach Heup the minute I talked to him,’’ Jackson said. “And I knew he was always about love. I knew he would do this (have a good season) just by talking to him. It was great to watch them play this year. I believed in him.’’
Jackson will be joined at Tennessee by what he called “the best receiving class in ’22.’’
It includes Cam Miller, Squirrel White, Chas Nimrod and Kaleb Webb.
“These guys are fast,’’ Jackson said. “They play hard, run crisp routes. I can’t wait to get out there throwing the ball to them. They’ll make (No.) 15 look really good. … They’ll be a great asset to the offense.’’
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