Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

Former Tennessee Vols QB Tayven Jackson learns his fate in UCF's starting quarterback battle

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Zach Ragan | Last updated Aug 21, 2025 4:36 PM ET

Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Tayven Jackson spent the last two seasons playing for the Indiana Hoosiers.

Jackson, a former four-star recruit who spent his true freshman season at Tennessee, transferred to UCF after the 2024 season. The Indiana native has passed for 1,300 yards and six touchdowns in his college career. He's also rushed for five touchdowns.

Part of the reason Jackson transferred to UCF was to compete for the starting quarterback job.

Unfortunately for Jackson, it appears he came up just short in the starting quarterback competition.

CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz reported on Thursday that UCF is expected to name FAU transfer Cam Fancher as the program's starting quarterback.

UCF is set to name FAU transfer Cam Fancher as its starting quarterback, sources tell @CBSSports.

Had been competing with Indiana transfer Tayven Jackson and former Miami QB Jacurri Brown. Fancher has made 26 career college starts at FAU and Marshall. pic.twitter.com/9noDvgycCs
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) August 21, 2025

Jackson was the No. 12 quarterback in the 2022 recruiting class. He's an extremely talented player, but he hasn't been able to earn consistent playing time -- and it's obviously tough to find success without consistent playing time.

The former Vol could still make a big impact for UCF this fall, but for now, it sounds like he's going to be relegated to a backup role in Orlando.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: