Ryan Nelson

Gonna start a Throwback Thursday kind of thing going forward where we highlight a former player each week, anyone from 1904-2024. With that being said we aren’t going back far to start. Zion Webb 2017-2023 Webb went to Central High School in Phenix City and committed to JSU over Georgia Southern. He redshirted his first year and played a significant role in the next 6 seasons. Played mostly a backup role in 2018 and 2019, but really showed his potential in the Covid spring season (2021) earning First Team All-OVC honors. He lead Jax State to the FCS playoffs and a first round slaughtering of Davidson. Round two saw Delaware come to town but a first quarter injury put an unfortunate end to both Zion and JSU’s campaign. After not seeing the field in the fall 2021 season due to the injury against Delaware, he put together a great 2022 campaign leading JSU to an ASUN championship in their last season as an FCS team. With all that being said, his legacy was left behind in 2023. Leading a team transitioning from the FCS, JSU had a surprise 9-win season and a come from behind New Orleans bowl victory. His role during 2023 can’t be understated, while he did split some time with Logan Smothers, Zion was always QB1. Never was it more evident than on the final drive against Louisiana to force OT and the eventual victory in the New Orleans Bowl. Zion Webb might be the 2nd or 3rd QB that comes to mind when remembering the best quarterbacks from the recent past. However the role he played during the transition and his longevity arguably means he is one the most important players in Jax State history, I don’t think it is at all far fetched to say that this team wouldn’t have had the same success in spring 2021 and the transition years without him.