​BIRMINGHAM, AL – Jackson State football quarterback Jared Lockhart didn’t have much time to prepare before he was thrust into the starting role as a true freshman last season.Filling in for an injured JaCobian Morgan, he started the final four games of the regular season, leading the Tigers to four straight wins and clinching the SWAC East title.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNow, as a sophomore, Lockhart is the starting quarterback for coach T.C. Taylor’s offense.“He’s changed his body physically,” Taylor said at SWAC Media Day on July 15. “He’s gotten bigger. He’s gotten stronger. I think the spot play that he played last year allowed his teammates to believe in him. They trust him. They know that we can win when he’s on the football field.”Although Morgan is no longer at JSU, Lockhart is carrying all the lessons he taught him into his first season as a full-time starter. He’s hoping to have the same success as Morgan, who led JSU to a SWAC title and HBCU national championship in the Celebration Bowl in 2024.“Having a guy like JaCobian Morgan, coming in, I just wanted to soak in knowledge from him,” Lockhart said. “And just having that knowledge throughout this season, it just brings more fuel to the fire. Being able to be in this position as a true sophomore, it’s just a blessing. Just ready to lead this team to the Celebration Bowl.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOne of the main things Lockhart learned from Morgan was how to be a leader. He says being more vocal is one of the biggest changes he’s made entering his sophomore season, drawing respect from his teammates.“The future is bright,” Jackson State defensive back Kam Sallis said of Lockhart. “I talk to him every day, try to get him under my wing, try to talk to him, give him knowledge. But he’s coming along as a leader, not even just a quarterback, just a leader of the team. But he’s growing as a player.”Even though Lockhart is striving to follow in Morgan’s footsteps of leading JSU to a Celebration Bowl title, he’s already started to pave his own path.One of the main ways Lockhart differs from Morgan is his play style and willingness to throw the ball downfield. Last season, both players threw for 1,187 yards even though Lockhart had 16 less completions.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMorgan completed 92 of 153 passes and had 11 touchdowns with two interceptions. Lockhart completed 76 of 113 passes with eight touchdowns and three interceptions. Both played in seven games.“He’s taken that group offensively, and now with JaCobian gone, he’s made it his own,” Taylor said. “We’ll be able to do some things that you want to be able to do as an offense, as far as slinging the ball around a little bit. He’s a gunslinger. … He’s had a great summer. It’s been a great offseason for him and those receivers. I’m excited about him.”Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her a