By Jeff Honza
Associate Director of Athletics for Strategic Communications
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – A long line of transfer quarterbacks has come through the Southeast Missouri football program under Head Coach
Tom Matukewicz.
Come August 30 when SEMO travels to Football Bowl Subdivision and Sun Belt Conference member Arkansas State,
Jax Leatherwood will be the eighth transfer quarterback to start for the Redhawks with Matukewicz at the helm.
SEMO's starting quarterback is the tallest player on the roster at 6'8" and 253 pounds.
Leatherwood initially got connected with the help of Doug Brady, a former assistant coach at SEMO. Brady coached Leatherwood in San Diego and first contacted the Redhawks about him.
While Brady had a hand in the process, Leatherwood credits Matukewicz for selling him on SEMO.
"Coach Tuke was the main reason I decided to commit to SEMO. Everyone knows what type of guy he is. He didn't sell a dream to me. Instead, he told me he wanted me to join the program, but I needed to earn the starting job myself. I appreciated his honesty."
Leatherwood's hometown of San Diego, California is 1,889 miles west of Cape Girardeau and getting acclimated to the Midwest has been an adjustment.
"I wouldn't describe it as culture shock," he explained. "It's definitely a lot different than San Diego, but I think the people around me and the people in this community have helped make it a smooth transition."
While adapting to the ins and outs of SEMO's football program, Leatherwood is learning a new offense alongside first-year coordinator John Holt.
"As a quarterback, having a coach who understands the intricacies of the game and can lead the offense is invaluable. Coach Holt's knowledge and passion for football were evident from day one. I know under his leadership that we have the potential to do something special."
Leatherwood started 11 games at San Diego Mesa College as a redshirt-freshman in 2024. He completed 210-of-377 passes for 2,472 yards and 26 touchdowns, averaging 224.7 passing yards per start. Leatherwood ran for 94 yards and three more touchdowns helping lead the Olympians to their first playoff appearance in program history.
"My experience at San Diego Mesa College prepared me well for the opportunity to play football at the NCAA Division I FCS level," commented Leatherwood. "Junior college football taught me how to handle adversity, become a true leader and perform in high-pressure situations."
Prior to San Diego Mesa, Leatherwood redshirted as a true freshman at Nevada.
As a prep, Leatherwood was a multi-sport athlete at Scripps Ranch High School, where he played football, basketball and volleyball.
With the start of the 2025 season a little over two weeks away, Leatherwood is ready for his next chapter and the daunting task of replacing
Paxton DeLaurent. DeLaurent ended his three-year career as SEMO's all-time leader in passing yards (8,563), touchdown passes (63) and total offense (9,022).
"The expectations are high and I'm fully aware of the shoes I have to fill," he said. "I'm proud to be a part of a program with such a rich history and legacy of successful quarterbacks. I'm ready to take on whatever comes my way and bring success to this program."
SEMO's preseason camp ends with an intrasquad scrimmage at Houck Field Friday night. Start time is 6 p.m., CT. Classes at SEMO begin Aug. 18.
SEMO's Transfer Starting Quarterbacks under Matukewicz
Kyle Snyder (Ohio University, 2014)
Tay Bender (Iowa Western CC, 2015)
Jesse Hoskett (East Central CC, 2016-17)
Daniel Santacaterina (Northern Illinois, 2018-19)
Andrew Bunch (Nebraska, 2021 spring)
CJ Ogbonna (Hutchinson CC, 2021 fall)
Paxton DeLaurent (Central Methodist, 2022-24)
Jax Leatherwood (San Diego Mesa College, 2025)
