Venice adds talented five-offer 2025 QB Jayce Nixon to roster
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Like the elite college football programs, Venice High School (Fla.) just reloads top talent year after year maintaining their perch as one of the Sunshine State’s best. The Indians made another run to the state title game in 2023 under the direction of 2024 quarterback Jadyn Glasser. When action goes live this fall, Jayce Nixon (6-0, 205) is gearing up to lead his new squad back to the game’s biggest stage.
For those not familiar with Nixon’s abilities in the pocket, he has been playing at a high level for years. During his sophomore campaign with Tampa’s Gaither High School, Nixon spun it for 3,269 yards with 36 scores while rushing for 252 yards with another touchdown.
Last fall, Nixon was doing more of the same completing his passes at a 68 percent clip covering 3,172 yards with 29 touchdowns while adding 404 yards on the ground making five trips into the end zone.
What the stats don’t tell, Nixon showed full command of the Cowboys’ offense checking down and looking off defensive backs creating monster windows for his receivers. A capable runner, Nixon still relies on his arm moving around the pocket allowing his receivers to get open while taking the occasion shot as he releases a strike downfield.
The Class of 2025 talent has offers from Maryland, Toledo, Tennessee-Martin, Rhode Island, and Jackson State with a load of recruiting interest coming his way.
“FAU, North Dakota State, Kentucky, USC with coach (Trey) Tinsley (OA), Wake Forest, and Ivy League programs like Dartmouth and Columbia,” Nixon stated. “Navy has sent some stuff too.”
The Rockets got Nixon up to the Glass Bowl to check out a game.
“It was great,” Nixon said. “I already had the offer from them. I got to watch coach (Robert) Weiner (QB) in action. After the game I met up with him; we had a great conversation. My family got to meet him. It was pretty cool.”
Spring trips are being planned.
“I am thinking of visiting FAU,” Nixon shared. “Their coach has reached out about visiting; I have to pick a date. I should be there sometime in March.”
As Nixon’s name makes the rounds among next level scouts, they will get to see how he and the Cowboys started peaking in time for the playoffs.
“I think the season went great,” Nixon stated. “We went through a lot of ups and downs; we went into the playoffs at 5-5. But then we went to the final four and lost to St. Thomas Aquinas.”
Running a Spread concept, Nixon spoke about the attack, “Really, we used every route there is to throw to – slants, digs, some screens, flies, a lot of out routes, some whips, corners, posts – really everything in the route tree.”
Nixon continued, “I think mentally I really grew a lot last year. Stat wise from my sophomore to junior year, my rushing yards improved. I was able to use my legs a lot more this year.”
Asked if there are overlooked aspects to his game, Nixon replied, “The mental part is a big part of my game. My pre-snap reads, in the Gaither offense I could call the offense; there was trust there with my coach. I could adjust for the defense and execute the play.”
During the winter break, Nixon made the move to Venice.
“I am just now getting with coach (John) Peacock about learning the playbook,” Nixon said. “I know it will be a fast-paced and up-tempo offense.”
Nixon talked about his offseason focus, “Mainly my strength, flexibility, and my speed. I am trying to look the part for when coaches come see me. I was working with BJ Hall when I was in Tampa, but now that I am here, the staff at Venice is really good. Coach Denzel Nickerson will be helping me while I am here.”
The new Venice Indian QB will get extra reps this winter and spring playing in 7-on-7 tournaments with Prime Truth.
*Click the link for the July 30 RNG interview with Jayce Nixon.