BIOGRAPHY
Jacolby Criswell, born on October 16, 2001, is a talented American football quarterback, who is known for his passion and skill. Over the years, he has been associated with dynamic teams like the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Criswell’s football journey starts in his home soil of Morrilton, Arkansas, where he attended Morrilton High School. His high school years were defined by a dedicated commitment to the game, and he shone brilliantly as a player. This expertise led him to be rated as a four-star recruit, a high honor that reflected his potential and prowess on the football field. Thanks to his notable skill, commitment, and, indeed, potential, he received offers to play college football. Choosing among several options, Criswell settled on the North Carolina Tar Heels, a decision that marked the exciting beginning of his collegiate career.
As a freshman in 2020, Criswell showed promising athletic Performs in his first collegiate season, completing three out of his four passes for 16 yards, and an interception, he also added some important ground yards into the mix, rushing for 26 yards.
Criswell’s talents did not wane in the subsequent year. In 2021, he featured in four games, earning one start. Throughout the season, he managed to complete 13 of his 21 passes for 179 yards, scoring a touchdown. His ground strikes remained consistent as well, and he clocked up 68 yards and a score. Week twelve of the season saw Criswell in the limelight of his career. In a match against Wofford, where he filled in for the injured starter, Sam Howell, he completed 11 of his 19 passes netting 125 yards and striking five times for 66 yards, resulting in a touchdown. This significant game led the Tar Heels to a 34-14 victory.
After Howell’s move to the NFL, a competition ensued between Criswell and Drake Maye, to be named as the team’s next starting quarterback. Despite this, in 2022 Criswell saw less action again, having lost the starting position to Maye. His season stats saw him two for six on his pass attempts, only for nine yards, but carried through with 39 ground yards on four carries before entering the transfer portal.
Transferring to a familiar location, he found himself back home in Arkansas, wearing the jersey of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Here, Criswell continued his high performance completion, throwing 17 out of 27 passing attempts and scoring three touchdowns. His strong presence on the ground saw an addition of 44 yards. However, after the season’s end, Criswell found himself in the NCAA transfer portal.
In a surprising twist, Criswell returned to the North Carolina Tar Heels, rejoining the team under intense competition with quarterbacks Max Johnson and Conner Harrell. Despite Johnson winning the starting position, an injury caused both Harrell and Criswell to move up the depth chart.
After providing support for Harrell in a game against Charlotte, Criswell found his stride in a match against NC Central. Making 14 out of 23 pass completions, he scored a touchdown and covered 161 yards, leading to a Tar Heels’ victory. His strong performance led to him being named the team’s starting quarterback for the intense match against James Madison. During this heart-stopping game, Criswell threw for a whopping 475 yards, setting up three touchdowns. Despite the team’s loss, Criswell’s passing yardage was recorded as the third most in a single game in the history of the Carolina football program.
Criswell continued to be the starting quarterback in the following week against their rival team, Duke. Despite throwing a game-deciding interception on the final possession, he demonstrated impressive skill, going 21 for 39 and securing 251 passing yards alongside two touchdowns.