Arkansas Football: Two Hogs make pre-season top 100 players list, KJ Jefferson nowhere to be found

Talking season is upon us, and with it comes pre-season accolades, honors, and top *insert random category here* lists.

On3 Sports released its pre-season top 100 college football players for 2023 on Thursday. Nick Schultz recognized 100, mostly power-5 players out of a pool of over 15,000 athletes. These players are at the top of the top, the crème de la crème of college football. Arkansas, according to Schultz, has two of those players.

No. 38 Raheim “Rocket” Sanders

If there’s one Hog that undoubtedly deserves to be in the top 100, it’s Raheim Sanders. Flying somewhat under the national spotlight last season, Sanders had one of the best performances by any non-QB Razorback since Alex Collins in 2015. Now, he comes back as one of the premier running backs in college football.

ESPN has ranked him as the 3^rd best RB in the nation behind Blake Corum of Michigan and Quinshon Judkins of Ole Miss, respectively. On3, however, is a little less impressed with Sanders and ranks him No. 4 behind Corum, Judkins, and Nicholas Singleton of Penn State.

After seeing the effects of losing your starting quarterback, taking care of KJ Jefferson will be of the utmost importance. That means fewer carries for Arkansas’s play caller. With QB runs limited, a revamped offense, and an ever-improving offensive line, Sanders has a legitimate opportunity to prove himself the best RB in the country.

No. 91 Dwight McGlothern

In early January, Arkansas fans were down in a bad way. Players were leaving every day, Kendal Briles left for TCU, Basketball had fans asking when baseball season started, and to top it all off, Tusk V passed away. Much like his performance on the field in 2022, Dwight McGlothern became the only bright spot during a very turbulent time when he announced his return to Fayetteville.

Even after a great portal class that continues to grow, Sam Pittman’s greatest recruiting job this offseason was convincing KJ Jefferson and Dwight McGlothern to stay a Razorback for one more year. McGlothern was by far the best defensive back on the team, but according to Pro Football Focus, he was one of the best in the country.

🔒🔒🔒 pic.twitter.com/wmPL4LCFDR

— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 2, 2022

With a top 100 returning defensive back returning and all the great talent Arkansas has brought in from the portal, Arkansas could have the greatest year-to-year difference in performance that college football has seen.

No KJ Jefferson in the Top 100?

Now you might be thinking, “Where’s KJ Jefferson”? That’s what I’m wondering, too.

Jefferson has more than once put the entire time on his back and willed his way to a win. He’s a true dual threat with an imposing 6’3, 246-pound frame and now has an upgraded QB coach. It’s not that his numbers are bad. Jefferson logged 2,648 yards for a completion percentage of 68 and 640 yards on the ground after missing two games and playing another hurt.

Jefferson also had a better QBR (165.2) than seven QBs in front of him: No. 96 Devin Leary (130.9), No. 75 Quinn Ewers (132.6), No. 70 JJ McCarthy (155), No. 52 Sam Hartman (159.4), No. 36 Jordan Travis (160.1), No. 11 Michael Penix JR (151.3), and No. 2 Drake May (157.9). Just three QBs on the list have better QBRs—Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, and Joe Milton—but Milton only played two games with significant snaps.

Maybe he shouldn’t be top 50 considering all the new faces around him, but Jefferson should certainly be in the top 100.