An HSOT All-State honorable mention quarterback will play college football in Tennessee.

Cleveland High School rising senior passer Jackson Byrd announced his commitment to East Tennessee State on his X account on July 3. He is planning to graduate after the fall semester and get started at the Division I FCS program in the winter.

Byrd is listed at six feet tall and 190 pounds. He carries a 4.1 GPA.

The multi-year starter was named the Greater Neuse River Conference player of the year in 2022 and won the offensive player of the year in 2023. He is one of the top returning passers in the state.

Byrd has been a staple of the Cleveland program since he was a child on the sidelines.

Over his recruitment, Byrd received offers from Miami (OH), NC Central, Lenoir-Rhyne, NC A&T, Mercer, Gardner-Webb, Alabama State, East Tennessee State, and Johnson C. Smith.

As a junior, Byrd completed 243 of his 360 passing attempts (67.5%) for 3,624 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He also rushed for 417 yards and 11 touchdowns on 60 carries.

He has 6,557 passing yards, 76 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions over his career. His career rushing stats are 147 rushes for 1,090 yards and 26 touchdowns.

Byrd is 24-2 as a varsity starter. Last year, Cleveland finished with a 13-1 overall record and made it to the fourth round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s 4A East playoffs.

Source: highschoolot.com