Former SWAC Newcomer Of The Year Commits To FCS Conference Co-Champion

Wilson commits to a new football program that co-shared the OVC title with Tennessee State in 2024. He was the 2023 SWAC Newcomer Of The Year at Texas Southern University

Jace Wilson Commits To Tennessee Tech | Credit: Kyle T.Mosley, HBCU Legends

HOUSTON - Jace Wilson, former Texas Southern Tigers starting quarterback, has committed to Tennessee Tech University. He entered the NCAA transfer portal after the 2024 football season.  

Wilson is completing his undergraduate degree in sports management from Texas Southern University on May 9. Jace was searching for a new home with at least two prerequisites:

1. An opportunity to compete as the starting quarterback
2. An accelerated pathway to obtain a master's degree

MAKING THE DECISION

"I just got back from my visit," Jace Wilson told HBCU Legends. "Everything was just perfect for me. Cookeville is a nice small town. It's about forty-five minutes from Nashville. There are no distractions out there. I only have one more year left. There's nothing to do out there but grind, get bigger and better, come in and learn the playbook, and ultimately go out there and win some games. Also, try to make a playoff run. That was another big thing. Like, I want to go play in the playoffs."

Last season, Tennessee Tech was 7-4 overall and 6-2 in the OVC. The Golden Eagles shared the OVC-Big South conference title with Eddie George's Tennessee State team, which they defeated 24-14 on Sept. 24 in Cookeville.  

Bobby Wilder, a former quarterback, is Tennessee Tech's head coach who quickly committed to Wilson and runs an offense he believes suits his skills. " They had a quarterback who threw for a bunch of yards and touchdowns. It's getting back to the Air Raid, which I think fits me the best."

Under the offensive concept at Texas Southern, rushing the football was the emphasis of offensive coordinator Steven Smith. With running backs like Athean Renfro, Da'Veon Ford, and Quintell Quinn, the Tigers did not rely on the quarterback to pass as much after KJ Cooper's injury.  

Wilson won't be alone in Cookeville, as two former Texas Southern teammates could be joining the Golden Eagles. He mentioned that the elusive running back, Quintell Quinn, transferred to Tennessee Tech in January. Additionally, Coach Wilder might strengthen his offensive line with the 6-foot-7, 360-pound lineman Kaylin Brice, who is also considering an offer.   

WILSON'S JOURNEY

The SWAC's athletic directors and SIDs voted Wilson the 2023 SWAC Newcomer of the Year in football. He participated in ten games, completing 144 passes for 1,633 yards and only five interceptions.

Tigers starter KJ Cooper was injured in the season opener against Prairie View A&M in 2024. During that season, Wilson made eight game appearances, completing 75 passes for 737 yards, with four touchdowns and six interceptions.

Throughout his collegiate career, he has passed for 3,905 yards, completing 335 passes and throwing 24 touchdowns, resulting in a passer efficiency rating of 119.10. Wilson averaged 130.17 yards per game.

The Tigers finished with a 5-6 overall record and 4-4 in the SWAC under first-year head coach Cris Dishman.  

"I have 12 games of guaranteed football left, so Tennessee Tech looked like the right place for me. And it felt like a weight lifted up my shoulders when I could commit and focus on bettering myself, getting down there, being with the team, and getting on a roll. So everything just felt right."

Tennessee Tech kicks off the season at home versus Cumberland on Aug. 30. That same night, Texas Southern will face Prairie View A&M at Shell Energy Stadium in the annual Labor Day Classic.

KEY: HBCU FOOTBALL | JACE WILSON | SWAC | SWAC FOOTBALL | FCS FOOTBALL | TENNESSEE STATE | TEXAS SOUTHERN | GOLDEN EAGLES FOOTBALL

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The NCAA Portal is active, with several HBCU football starters entering the system this week. One transfer to watch is in Houston, as the Texas Southern Tigers may lose starting quarterback Jace Wilson.

Wilson announced his graduation on social media and intends to utilize his final year of eligibility as a graduate transfer to another football program.

Jace Wilson Announces Entering NCAA Transfer Portal | Credit: Jace Wilson

The former Furman transfer was named the 2023 SWAC Newcomer of the Year and was invited to participate in the Manning Passing Academy this past summer in Louisiana.

Texas Southern hired Coach Cris Dishman on Jan. 12, 2024. As the new coach, he refrained from naming starters during the offseason evaluation process.

Wilson and newcomer K.J. Cooper competed for the starting job at quarterback in summer workouts. Each shared most of the reps in those sessions until a few weeks before the start of the season.

Texas Southern quarterback Jace Wilson steps back to pass the football against the Rice Owls. | Texas Southern quarterback Jace Wilson (16) steps back to pass the football against the Rice Owls. Texas Southern at Rice in Rice Stadium, Houston, TX; Sept. 7, 2024; Mandatory Credit: Kyle A. Mosley, HBCU Legends

Coach Dishman designated Cooper as the starting quarterback just before the season opener against Prairie View A&M. However, Cooper sustained a lower-leg injury during the 27-9 Labor Day Classic victory over the Panthers, prompting Jace Wilson to come off the bench and finish the game.

He started in place of the injured Cooper the following week against Rice University but was pulled after throwing a pick-six in the 69-7 rout at Rice Stadium.

Wilson didn't see playing time for three games due to the coaching staff's preference for backup Jordan Davis. Texas Southern went 1-2 during that stretch and turned to Wilson as the starter against Southern University at Shell Energy Stadium.

He led the Tigers to a 19-12 advantage until a botched punt attempt out of the endzone with 18 seconds left gave the ball to Southern at the 16-yard line. The Jags scored to tie the contest at 19.

Jace Wilson | Credit: Kyle T. Mosley, HBCU Legends

Southern eventually won 22-19 (OT) as Wilson completed 13-of-19 passes for 90 yards and rushed six times for 27 yards.

Dishman started Wilson in the season's final five games, in which the team registered 3 wins and 2 losses. One of his best outings was against Grambling State as he guided the Tigers to a 24-17 victory after throwing for 128 yards on 11 completions and 2 touchdowns (1 passing, 1 rushing).

Wilson made eight game appearances for the TSU Tigers this season. He completed 75 passes for 737 yards, four touchdowns, and six interceptions and had a passer rating of 97.95 under the new offensive coordinator Steven Smith.

In 2023, Wilson passed for 1,633 yards in ten games, completing 144 passes, achieving 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions, with a passer efficiency rating of 120.7.

The Missouri City native has 30 game appearances in his collegiate career. He completed 335-of-598 throws for 3,905 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, and a passer efficiency rating of 119.1.

During his career as a dual-threat option, Wilson rushed 220 times, accumulating 903 total yards, 467 net yards, and nine rushing touchdowns.

HBCU Legends was told that he has a desire to compete for a championship at a university that offers graduate studies in his field of interest.

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