At just 19 years old, Nathan Jackson has already lived an archery journey full of growth, resilience and breakthrough moments. His latest achievement - earning a scholarship at Rio Grande University after winning at the Rebel Gear Buckeye Classic - marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in both his academic and competitive career.
Jackson - from Decatur, Texas - first picked up a bow in July 2019 during a summer camp at Nock It Archery Center. What began as a camp activity quickly grew into a passion. Over his first two years of shooting, Jackson steadily progressed, hitting milestones that hinted at his potential. By his second year, he was shooting 299s on a five-spot face and a 297 on the challenging Vegas face.
His early dedication earned him a sponsorship from Elite in his first year, and by the second year he had joined the prestigious Regional Elite Development (RED) Team, opening the door to USA Archery Team (USAT) events.
Jackson’s first taste of national success came in 2023 when he won his first USAT medal at the Easton Foundations Gator Cup, the bronze in compound U21 men. That moment, he says, fueled his drive even further, though 2024 tested him.
“I didn’t place at any events which was hard on me mentally,” Jackson shared. “But I pushed through that to get better at archery.”
That persistence paid off. In 2025, Jackson delivered his strongest indoor season yet, setting personal bests at the USA Archery Indoor Nationals and placing fourth in the U21 division. At the AAE Arizona Cup, he battled through eliminations to capture gold, proving to himself that he belonged on the national stage.
He went on to secure a silver medal at the Gator Cup, followed by another strong showing at WIAWIS JOAD Nationals. But the tournament that defined his year - and his career to date - was the Rebel Gear Buckeye Classic.
Heading into Buckeye, Jackson carried the pressure of maintaining his No. 1 overall USAT ranking. Historically, Buckeye had been a difficult event for him. But this time, with new technical and mental adjustments, Jackson delivered his best performance yet.
He qualified first with a 698 and maintained his form through eliminations, ultimately winning gold in compound U21 men.
“The significance behind winning Buckeye was very important to me,” Jackson said. “It felt amazing to come out, shoot great, and enjoy it. The last arrow in the gold medal match was a moment I’ll never forget - it was my last arrow in the U21 division, and I was trying to win at the same time. That match was the greatest match I’ve ever had.”
Jackson credits his growth in archery to the coaches and family who guided him - Bryan Murphy in his early years, current coach Jessie Johnson, and his father.
“My dad also helped me improve in archery,” he said. “This sport has opened so many doors for me. I’ve made so many friends, some of my closest friends, and being part of the archery family has changed my life.”
For Jackson, winning Buckeye also opened a new door: a place at Rio Grande University in Ohio, where he is now studying welding.
His reaction to the offer was, in his words, “speechless.”
“I was excited, nervous, a little scared - it felt like a dream,” he said. “My family told me, ‘You deserve this for all the hard work you’ve put into this sport, and it’s paying off.’”
It was a surprising turn for Jackson, who had taken a year off after high school to focus on archery and potentially go into a trade school for welding or to culinary school, to follow his passion for cooking.
Instead, he now finds himself balancing education and competitive archery at the collegiate level, where his coach will be Jonathan Clemins, who said, “When I first connected with Nathan and his family after the Buckeye Classic, everything moved quickly; he had only eight days before move in.
“I believe Nathan will make an immediate impact on our team, and more importantly, he has the mindset to continue growing into an incredibly successful collegiate archer.”
Jackson will be part of a confident Rio Grande team which will head to Foley, Ala. next month for the HotelPlanner USA Archery Collegiate 3D Nationals. Clemins added, “Nathan came to us as an accomplished target archer but brand new to 3D. We had to make significant changes to his equipment, his setup, and the way he approached the game strategically. To be honest, he picked up on 3D faster than probably anyone I’ve ever coached through that transition.
“Not only has Nathan met the demanding expectations I have of every athlete in our program, he has consistently exceeded them. Beyond our team practices and workouts, he’s been proactive about learning, refining his technique, and now even looking into dialing in his nutrition to maximize his performance. That kind of commitment is exactly what I've come to expect from this team.”
As Jackson embarks on his Rio Grande journey, he carries with him the lessons, resilience, and memories of his junior career. From a shy teenager who once spent his days gaming, to a national champion with lifelong friends across the archery community, Jackson’s story is one of transformation through sport.
“Archery changed my life,” Jackson said. “It gave me confidence, friends, and opportunities I never imagined. And now, it’s taking me to college. I wouldn’t be here without it.”
Registration remains open for the 2025 HotelPlanner USA Archery Collegiate 3D Nationals until September 25. The event takes place in Foley, Ala. from October 2-4.
You can learn more about USA Archery’s Collegiate Archery Program by contacting the Outreach Program Manager at [email protected] or call (719) 866-3452.
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