Deep QB Room Could Boost Hogs to New Heights

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — KJ Jefferson is arguably the best quarterback in the SEC, but when he went down last season, immediately the Hogs chances for success went out the window.

No. 7 LSU travelled to Fayetteville late in the season last year, and the Razorback defense put the team in a position to win, holding the Tigers to 13 points. The Arkansas offense however, struggled. The absence of Jefferson due to injury showed more than most expected, and the Hogs put up a measly 10 points under the reigns of backup quarterback Malik Hornsby and walk-on Cade Fortin.

The QB room has taken a massive step forward this season, with North Carolina transfer Jacolby Criswell now backing up the veteran KJ Jefferson. The Morrilton, AR native returns to his home state after three years with the Tar Heels, and is ready to shine if the coaches call his name.

Criswell was limited during his time at North Carolina due to the talent in front of him. Sam Howell, now the Washington Commanders starter, and Drake Maye, a Heisman frontrunner, both held Criswell back.

It’s not unknown what Criswell brings to the table though, and the similarities to KJ Jefferson are a little bit absurd. Criswell loves to lay his shoulder down and get downhill running, and has an absolute cannon for an arm, as does KJ. The similarities in their play-style means offensive coordinator Dan Enos doesn’t have to run an entirely different scheme if Jefferson goes down.

Jefferson may be somewhat injury prone due to him getting out of the pocket and running downhill like mentioned earlier, but with a quick replacement in Criswell, the games won’t feel like a lost cause like last season. Arkansas would have finished 9-4 for the second straight year with a healthy Jefferson, or even a healthy Criswell.

Sam Pittman now brings in the most talented team of his tenure, and if Jefferson is injured again, the Hogs won’t need to worry about the next man up, Criswell is ready to take over.