Two former Truman Tigers who starred on their new hometown football field and then moved on to play collegiately have made commitments to continue their academic and athletic careers at high-level Division 1 programs.
Truman football alumnus and athletic wide receiver Makai Jackson, class of 2022, will transfer from Appalachian State to Indiana University, joining a program that just qualified for the NCAA’s FBS 12-team national championship playoff, and rugged defensive lineman David Blay, class of 2021, will move from Louisiana Tech to perennial national power University of Miami.
During the 2024 season at Appalachian State, Jackson hauled in 46 receptions for 745 yards and five touchdowns, and ran the ball five times for 90 yards and a touchdown. Jackson also returned two punts and eight kickoffs this year, so he could fill a variety of roles for the Hoosiers, coming off the best season in school history.
Prior to two seasons at Appalachian State, Jackson began his career at Saint Francis in Pennsylvania. During the 2022 season, Jackson led the Red Flash with 85 receptions and 991 yards.
The highly coveted Blay committed to Miami over interest from Penn State, Kentucky, and USC.
Blay was named First-Team All-Conference USA for his efforts in 2024, totaling 46 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks. Blay played 443 defensive snaps in 2024 playing as a nose tackle. Blay's most impressive performance came against Arkansas in Week 13 of the season. Blay totaled five tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, and one pressure against the Razorbacks.
After graduating from Truman, Blay began his career locally at Division II West Chester, but now will play in the highly competitive Atlantic Coast Conference for a legendary program in the Hurricanes.
“We are very proud of Makai and David and wish them continued success,” Truman Principal and former head football coach Jon Craig stated. “Their success truly shows that our students can do great things at the highest level of any arena.”