2025 Interview with Jackson Szabo from Worthington Kilbourne High School

 


Jackson Szabo

Worthington Kilbourne High School

I played free safety when I was in 6th grade; however, I’ve always been a quarterback.

202 5’10, 180 lbs.

Jersey Number:

Awards won or earned: I earned 1st team all OCC, 1st team all district, and honorable mention all state in my first year of varsity.

Post a small recap of last season with personal highlights and any other big moments you have and/or memories you have from last season, whether it be a game, the bus ride to or from the game, or any other thing that sticks out.

Last season was amazing. It was definitely a huge step up from 8th grade football to varsity; however, I think I handled it pretty well. I would say my favorite memory from last season would be beating Walnut Ridge in the first round of the playoffs. It was just so surreal rushing the field after the win. For most of the guys on the team, it was their first playoff win. So just to experience that with my teammates was just so surreal. What are your personal goals for the 2025 season?

I want to throw for 2500+ yards, run for 1000+, and account for 35+ touchdowns.

What goals are you setting for your team?

I think last season was a big step up from the year before that; however, I don’t think it was up to my standard. My goals for this team are to be determined to go further than we did last year and ultimately just improve from last season.

What’s the toughest part of being a quarterback?

I would say how much you have on your plate every week leading into a game. Just the amount of film study of defenses I play against and knowing the right reads every week. I would say I handle pressure pretty well; however, as a quarterback, all eyes are on you. If you make a good play or a bad play, all eyes are on you. So just knowing how to adapt to certain situations and having good mental toughness is key.

What is the best part of being a quarterback?

Probably just having everything on your shoulders and knowing that the game could be on your shoulders.

Which part of your game do you believe is the strongest?

I would say my athletic mobility and the ability to extend plays is definitely my biggest strength.

What have you done in the off-season to help you in becoming a better player?

Working with my quarterback coach, Matt D’Orazio, has been big. Waking up on Tuesdays and Thursdays from January to the end of May helps with timing with receivers and working on my release and motion. I'm working with my speed coach, Eric Lichter, to get faster. And then getting in the weight room to get bigger.

What makes you a good teammate?

I would say I’m easy to come to. After a bad play or a missed assignment, I’m easy to talk to and get it right. I am also looking out for my teammates, making sure they’re on the same page.

Which game are you looking forward to the most?

Definitely our rival Thomas Worthington. We beat them last year, and in week two of the season, it should be a pretty cool atmosphere.

Which defense do you love to go up against?

I would say a passive cover 4 defense for sure. At Kilbourne we run a lot of zone concepts, and we see Cover 4 a lot, so it’s pretty nice having concepts get open underneath.

What is the worst type of weather for you as a quarterback to play in?

Definitely the rain. It makes it super hard to throw and get any grip on the ball.

What is the best part of being a student-athlete at Worthington Kilbourne?

I would say the flexibility I have with my teachers. They know I have a lot on my plate with practices and games, so just having that flexibility with getting my work done at a good time for me and them.

What is your favorite part of practice?

We have a 7-on-7 period during practice where there’s no line, and it’s just throwing on DBs and linebackers, and I like that because I can see the coverage and take good mental notes without linemen in my face.

Who are your role models?

I have a few, and they’re all quarterbacks. The first one is Ryder Lyons. He is one of the top quarterbacks in the nation for his class, and just seeing his work ethic day by day has made me motivated to work even harder. My second is Josh Allen. He is my favorite NFL quarterback, and his story inspires me to keep going.

What is the one song that can get you fired up right before you take the field?

Without a doubt, Dreams and Nightmares by Meek Mill.

What is your favorite hobby?

Golfing and hanging out with friends


Follow me on X @HEARTLANDFAN15

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