Under the Friday night lights of Middle Tennessee, football was always more than a pastime for Jason Hoath Jr. It was family, faith, and a lifelong classroom built by his father — a coach who taught him that success comes from effort, not entitlement.

The Nashville native grew up around the game, spending evenings on high school sidelines while his father, Jason Hoath Sr., coached at Columbia Central and later served as an assistant at Page High. Those years shaped how the younger Hoath saw football — not just as a sport, but to build character.

"People like to throw around the term 'daddy ball,'" Hoath Jr. said with a laugh. "But my dad didn't go easy on me. He probably coached me harder than anyone else. He never pushed me to do something I didn't want to do — but if I told him I wanted to get better, he made sure I put in the work."

That work ethic guided him through a late and uncertain recruiting process. Tennessee State entered the picture just as Hoath was preparing to commit elsewhere, giving him a chance to stay home and play Division I football in front of family.

"TSU came in around the end of April," he said. "It was late, but I knew some people up here, got on a visit, and it just felt right. It was a chance to stay close to home, play at a higher level, and get my school paid for. It checked every box."

Hoath has continued to grow in his role with the Tigers, recording 12 career receptions for 97 yards entering this season. His breakout year came in 2024, when he posted nine catches for 86 yards as TSU captured the Ohio Valley - Big South Conference title and advanced to the FCS playoffs.

"Real football starts when it gets cold outside," he said, smiling. "Playing in December, that's when it's real. Getting to the playoffs and seeing this team come together like that — it reminded me of those deep high school playoff runs. My family was so proud. It was full circle."

When former head coach Eddie George stepped down last offseason, many players across the program faced tough decisions about their future. Hoath chose to stay, crediting Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Performance Scott Holsopple with keeping the team grounded and united during the transition.

"Coach Holsopple is the standard," Hoath said. "When he talks about what it takes to win championships, you listen, because he's been there before. When everything felt uncertain, he was the one telling us, 'We're going to be okay.' You could trust him because he's lived it."

That trust carried over into the arrival of Head Coach Reggie Barlow, whose leadership, Hoath says, has begun to reshape the team's identity.

"It's been different," he said. "The coaches came in at different times, so finding our identity has taken a minute. But the talent's here. We're just a couple plays away. Once everything clicks, people are going to see who we really are."

Off the field, Hoath leans on his faith and his family — both of which remain central to his life. Whether it's spending time with his siblings, cheering for his brother's amateur fights, or visiting his fiancée, he keeps family close.

"Family time is everything for me," he said. "I love watching my siblings play. My sister cheers, my younger brothers play baseball and soccer, and my other brother is into fighting now. I'm also recently engaged, so spending time with my fiancée means a lot too."

When he's not with family or teammates, Hoath finds peace in quiet moments of reflection.

"Getting into my Bible and praying is something that really grounds me," he said. "It's that reminder that no matter how crazy things get with football or classes, I can always turn to God."

With homecoming week underway, Hoath's focus remains on his purpose — both on and off the field.

"I didn't come here to party," he said. "Homecoming's great, but it's not for football players. We came here to win games, get degrees, and make an impact. That's the job."

From backyard routes with his father to representing his hometown school, Jason Hoath Jr. embodies what it means to be a Tennessee State Tiger — grounded in family, driven by faith, and determined to leave his mark in the city that raised him.