Jackson Waring gives Illinois State a proven dual-threat QB with championship pedigree
Waring is a strong fit for teams wanting a quarterback who can create both as a passer and runner: at Grand View in the 2024 season, he won NAIA Player of the Year after throwing for 2,382 yards and 21 touchdowns while adding 541 rushing yards and 13 scores, and he carried that momentum into Illinois State, where he started five games in 2025 and completed 54.6% of his passes for 879 yards. His appeal is his playmaking mobility, competitive edge, and experience winning at a high level, though his passing efficiency still has room to grow.
