The future of Jackson State football is in good hands with Jared Lockhart.
With SWAC play approaching on Sept. 27, JSU coach T.C. Taylor elected to sit starting quarterback JaCobian Morgan for the W.C. Gorden Classic against Tuskegee on Sept. 13.
In his place, Taylor started Lockhart, a true freshman, who led JSU (2-1) to a 30-0 win over Tuskegee (2-1) at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.
"For a true freshman to go out there and throw the ball around . . . I'm very proud of him." Taylor said after the game. "A guy that's fresh out of high school going out there and operating the offense the way he did."
Lockhart finished the game with 257 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception on 14-for-20 passing attempts. He also rushed for 32 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries.
Lockhart's passing touchdown, a 21-yard strike to Jameel Gardner Jr. in the second quarter, was the Tigers' first of the season.
Lockhart impressed with his arm talent against the Golden Tigers. He completed two passes of more than 45 yards. The first was a 51-yard deep ball to Kobe Paul to end the first quarter. The play set up JSU's second touchdown of the day, a 6-yard Lockhart rush. The second was a 47-yard pass up the left side of the field to Ja'Naylon Dupree.
"He showed a lot of grit," Taylor said. "He took some shots out there, but very pleased with him."
Lockhart's lone slipup was an interception in the third quarter. JSU had worked the ball to Tuskegee's 15-yard line. Lockhart found a receiver he thought was open and hesitantly threw a pass toward Dupree. Tuskegee defensive back Quincy Crawford jumped up and snatched the ball out of the air just outside the end zone before it could reach its target.
Aside from that, Lockhart's day went about as well as one could hope for a true freshman getting his first taste of college football action.
"Jared has been putting together some solid practices," Taylor said. " . . . He's been doing well against (JSU's defense) on scout team. I've been watching the film on that . . . and he brought it out here today, so we're very excited about him."
Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at treid@gannett.com and follow her on X @tiareid65 .
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson State football's T.C. Taylor evaluates QB Jared Lockhart's debut
