Ohio State already has its quarterback in the 2024 cycle.
That would be No. 1 overall prospect Dylan Raiola, who committed to the program on May 9 despite holding offers from a laundry list of other blue-chip programs. Ever hear of him?
Raiola looked every bit the part of a future star signal caller for Ryan Day and company when he worked out with the Buckeye coaches on the final day of Ohio State’s summer camp schedule. But he wasn’t the only 2024 quarterback in that group that garnered intrigue and rave reviews after the workout session.
Florida’s Trever Jackson may not ever earn an Ohio State offer given Raiola’s presence in the Buckeyes’ recruiting class, but he’s sure to receive plenty more Power 5 opportunities if he continues to perform like he did at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on June 21. Entering the summer with no offers at all, that’s changed in short order as Jackson has shown off his arm talent at camps around the country.
Quarterbacks throwing on the move.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) June 21, 2022
In order: Dylan Raiola, Colin Hurley, Trevor Jackson, Chase Herbstreit, Dayton Raiola and RJ Day. pic.twitter.com/UeAbe4k35x
“It’s been crazy,” Jackson said after his Ohio State workout. “Started off in Georgia at a Mercer camp, mega camps, just went all across the straight. Went from there to FAU, FSU, picked up offers from Coastal Carolina, Morehouse. Went to Pittsburgh three days ago, got offered from Pitt. That was my first Power 5, so that was real special. Just blowing up in a span of two weeks, so it was crazy. I had zero offers, so that’s how it was.”
Pittsburgh was the first Division I program to extend Jackson a scholarship spot, but it won’t be the last. Even in an Eleven Warriors video post documenting all of Raiola’s throws from the workout, commenters clamored to know: Who is the kid in the backwards black hat?
Spectators at the WHAC had the same reaction, as Jackson routinely delivered balls deep downfield with accuracy, touch and perhaps the tightest spiral among all passers in the group.
Those observations mirrored the ones Day and the Buckeye coaching staff gave Jackson following his camp performance.
“I think I did pretty well,” Jackson said. “Coaches did good one-on-one time with me and all the other coaches out there really showed me about tempo, ball placement, different balls and different routes to run. Just waiting on their breaks and what different throws to throw on their breaks. So it was pretty good.
“They said I had a great arm, just a tight spiral and they just wanted me to work on my feet and really make sure to keep improving on everything.”
Entering his junior year at West Orange High School in Winter Garden, Florida, the 6-foot-2, 180-pound quarterback is still yet to be ranked in the 247Sports composite. But the feedback he received from the Ohio State program indicates that won’t be the case for the remainder of his recruitment.
“They just talked to me, they just said they were going to watch back, see what they wanted to see,” Jackson said. “They videoed every rep so they just want to see how I did out there and they’ll come back to me later.”
Jackson plans to come back as well, saying he will “most definitely” return to Ohio State for a visit and to see a Buckeye game live once the new season begins. But Jackson is just glad he had the chance to show the program his skills in person, which is something he’s long planned to do if given the opportunity.
“Ohio State, just their background, they’ve been in the playoffs every year, championship almost every year,” Jackson said. “So I just want to be part of that. … Ohio State’s always been on my board. Always wanted to let Ohio State see how I throw. Wanted to see how they can check me out. So I love Ohio State.”
Currently holding offers from Pitt, Florida Atlantic, Morehouse and Coastal Carolina, Jackson plans on widening those horizons considerably before thinking too hard about where he wants to end up at the next level.
While things could always change in a hurry, Jackson said he plans on making a commitment decision prior to his senior season of high school football, which gives him plenty of time to continue picking up steam on the national recruiting scene.
Jackson is just starting to see his efforts on the gridiron pay off, and that’s sure to fuel his fire even further as he moves forward.
“It’s truly a blessing,” Jackson said. “It’s crazy how you put in hard work and it just pops out for you. You have a dim in your light and your light’s gonna shine if you keep on working. It’s gonna come up.”
