Hoptown’s Aiden Jesse Inks With Olivet Nazarine

Hopkinsville senior Aiden Jesse made his college choice official on Wednesday, signing to continue his football career at Olivet Nazarene University.

Jesse was one of Hopkinsville’s top pass-catching threats after transferring over from Christian County. After catching 10 passes for 158 yards as a sophomore, he hauled in 54 passes for 730 yards and four touchdowns for the Colonels in 2024.

In his lone season at Hoptown, Jesse developed into a deep threat for the Tigers, catching 39 passes for 853 yards and 11 touchdowns. He caught seven passes for 185 yards and three touchdowns in Hoptown’s Class 6A playoff game against South Warren.

Head coach Dustin Lopez said the signing was the reward for Jesse’s persistence in finding the right college fit.

“I’ve known Aiden for a long time. He’s a high-quality young man, and it makes today special because he has worked his tail off to try and find the right fit,” Lopez said.

Jesse said the transition of moving schools helped prepare him for the next step in more ways than one.

“I think this year prepared me because I had to be more vocal because my teammates and coaches that really didn’t know me,” Jesse said.

Jesse said Olivet Nazarene stood out because of its offensive approach and the way the coaching staff made him feel during the recruiting process.

“I was looking for a school that liked to pass the ball since I’m a receiver and when the coach came to the school and met me, he showed me that they loved to pass the ball,” Jesse said.

In addition to football, Jesse said he plans to study electrical engineering at Olivet Nazarene.

Olivet Nazarene University, located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, competes in the NAIA and is a member of the Mid-States Football Association.

Olivet Nazarene posted back-to-back 6-4 records in 2024 and 2025 after a 7-4 finish in 2022.