Jacolby Criswell

Jacolby Criswell (born October 16, 2001) is an American gridiron football quarterback. He previously played for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels, the Arkansas Razorbacks, and the East Tennessee State Buccaneers.

Early life Criswell attended Morrilton High School in Morrilton, Arkansas. He was rated as a four-star recruit and committed to play college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels.

College career North Carolina As a freshman in 2020, Criswell completed three of four passes for 16 yards and an interception and rushed for 26 yards. In 2021, he played four games and made one start; he completed 13 of 21 passes for 179 yard and a touchdown and rushed for 68 yards and a score. In week 12 of that season, Criswell made his first collegiate start against Wofford, filling in for injured starter Sam Howell. He completed 11 of 19 pass attempts for 125 yards, and ran the ball five times for 66 yards and a touchdown, playing in the first half of the Tar Heels' 34-14 win.

Arkansas Criswell transferred back to his home state of Arkansas, to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Again serving as a backup, he completed 17 of 27 passing attempts for 143 yards and three touchdowns, while also adding 44 yards on the ground. After the season, Criswell entered the NCAA transfer portal.

North Carolina (second stint) On April 30, 2024, Criswell transferred back to North Carolina after one season at Arkansas. He returned to Chapel Hill during the summer, and joined the quarterback competition with Max Johnson and Conner Harrell. Johnson initially won the starting position before getting injured, moving both Harrell and Criswell up the depth chart.

After backing up Harrell against Charlotte, the two split time the following week against NC Central, with Criswell completing 14 of 23 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown in a win. He was named the starter for the Tar Heels' matchup versus James Madison, throwing for 475 yards and three touchdowns to two interceptions in a 70-50 loss. His 475 passing yards were third most in a single game in program history. Criswell started the next week also, against rivals Duke, going 21 for 39 with 251 passing yards and two touchdowns. He threw a game-sealing interception on the final possession as the Tar Heels fell 21-20.

In his fifth start of the season, Criswell threw for 293 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-14 victory over rivals Virginia, ending a four-game losing streak. The following week, he completed 13 of the 17 passes for 211 yards and a touchdown in a 35-11 win over FSU. On January 15, 2025, Criswell entered the transfer portal.

East Tennessee State On January 21, 2025, Criswell transferred to East Tennessee State University.

Statistics Season Team Games Passing Rushing 2020 North Carolina 6 0 — 3 4 75.0 16 4.0 0 1 58.6 9 26 2.9 0 2021 North Carolina 4 1 1–0 13 21 61.9 179 8.5 1 0 149.2 7 68 9.7 1 2022 North Carolina 4 0 — 2 6 33.3 9 1.9 0 0 45.9 4 39 9.8 0 2023 Arkansas 4 0 — 17 27 63.0 143 5.3 3 0 144.1 23 44 1.9 0 2024 North Carolina 12 10 3–7 186 320 58.1 2,459 7.7 15 6 134.4 71 103 1.5 3 2025 East Tennessee State 8 4 4–0 85 138 61.6 1,130 8.2 9 2 149.0 56 277 4.9 0 FBS Career 30 11 4–7 221 378 58.5 2,806 7.4 19 7 133.7 114 280 2.5 4 FCS Career 8 4 4–0 85 138 61.6 1,130 8.2 9 2 149.0 56 277 4.9 0

Professional career On May 5, 2026, Criswell signed with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).