Quarterback Star Jackson is leaving Georgia State, according to a report.
Jackson, a standout at Lake Worth who signed with Alabama but transferred to Georgia State after his freshman year, has left the fledgling program, the AJC‘s Ken Sigiura reported.
Jackson was a highly regarded recruit coming out of high school. (Photo by Larry Hauck/ESPN.com)
Georgia State coach Bill Curry said Jackson left the team for personal reasons.
Jackson, a 6-foot-3, 209-pound dual-threat quarterback who was the Palm Beach Post’s 2007 Large Schools Offensive Player of the Year, will have to sit out a year before playing at another FCS (Division I-AA) school. After that, he would have one year of NCAA eligibility left.
On Thursday, Jackson’s plans were unclear. Playing at a Division I school appears unlikely, given his track record. Junior college or an NAIA school could be options.
Jackson appeared in five games as a redshirt freshman for Alabama. He completed 13 of 18 passes for 113 yards. He nearly won the Georgia State starting QB job last fall, but appeared in four games off the bench.
Jackson, who was a ballyhooed transfer from Alabama last summer, played four games off the bench after nearly winning the starting job in preseason practice. He faces limited options to continue playing, as he would have to sit out a year if he transferred to another NCAA school and then only have one year of eligibility remaining.
“I’m very sad about that,” Curry said. “We’re very sorry. We were thrilled when he came here. He is a tremendous talent. We wish him well. We’re going to help him with whatever he does next.”
After Jackson’s senior season, during which he threw for 1,677 yards and 13 touchdowns, Scout.com rated him the No. 11 quarterback in the nation. The 2007 U.S. Army All-American finished career at Lake Worth with more than 3,500 passing yards and 32 touchdowns.
Curry also said former Glades Day standout Bo Schlechter would return to quarterback. He started fall practice in 2010 as a quarterback, but switched to wide receiver and punted last season for the Panthers in their first season as a program. He’ll be one of two QBs at spring practice.
