By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director

JACKSONVILLE – Former Cherokee County High School football standout running back Jacob Cornejo has taken his talent to Jacksonville State University.

Cornejo is currently listed on the Gamecocks’ 2026 football roster and has been with the team since the beginning of their summer workouts.

Listed at 6-foot, 212-pounds, the junior played his last two seasons of football at Cumberland University in Tennessee. He ran for 538 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman and was named the Mid-South Freshman of the Year following the Phoenix’s 7-3 campaign. Cornejo was also a second-team all-conference selection in 2024.

Last year, Cornejo gained 854 yards with nine scores as a sophomore in leading the Phoenix to a 7-4 record.

During his prep career at Cherokee County High School, Cornejo guided the Warriors to back-to-back Class 4A state runners-up. He set a school record by rushing for 3,003 yards and 36 touchdowns on 321 carries in those two seasons. He was named the Class 4A Back of the Year following the 2023 season by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.

Cornejo was also a finalist for the ASWA’s 4A Back of Year as a junior.

The Gamecocks went 9-5 last season, which included a 7-1 mark in Conference USA, and capped off with a 17-13 victory over Troy in IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl. They open their 2026 football season on Saturday, Aug. 29 at North Dakota State. Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m.

Jax State plays its first home game a week later on Sept. 5 against Eastern Kentucky at 6 p.m. at AmFirst Stadium in Jacksonville. JSU begins Conference USA play at home against Middle Tennessee on Sept. 26 at 6 p.m.