Position Preview: KJ Jefferson returns, QB room has adequate depth

You The Arkansas Razorback football team took a slight step back last season with a 7-6 overall record in 2022. However, they bring in plenty of experience and swagger back at quarterback.

The Unquestioned Starter

KJ Jefferson returns for his third straight season as the starting quarterback for the Razorbacks.

A man that came to the campus committed to reigniting a program that’s floundered in mediocrity and atrocity for the better part of a decade before his commitment in 2019.

The North Panola, (Miss.) product could’ve left Fayetteville when the coaches that recruited him left. Jefferson could’ve even left when Sam Pittman was hired and brought in Feleipe Franks as the starter and mentor to the quarterback room. But, Jefferson stayed.

Once Jefferson had his next opportunity to start in 2020 against Missouri, he showed the coaching staff and fans that he had arrived and was ready to take the reigns as starter moving forward.

Now, he looks to continue elevating his team as a senior with a new offensive coordinator and top running back standing next to him.

Jefferson has solidified himself as one of the all-time greats and has a chance to chisel his name into Razorback lore with another great season.

He’s already top 10 in passing yards (7th – 5,816), touchdown passes (6th – 48), total yards (5th – 7,245) and total touchdowns (4th – 67).

The rising senior only needs 1,950 yards and 17 touchdowns to set new marks for those school records set by Tyler Wilson and Brandon Allen, respectively.

Another record he could break is Matt Jones’ rushing touchdowns by a quarterback and with six scores Jefferson could break it.

BACKUPS

The quarterback situation looked elite from a recruiting situation in 2020 with Franks, Jefferson and Hornsby all together. All three were former high four stars that everyone in the south wanted.

However, after Franks left for the professional ranks and Hornsby didn’t exactly light the world on fire as a backup in 2021 or 2022. Cade Fortin eventually took over for Hornsby as the second string option.

A lot of if’s, like the LSU game that Arkansas lost by three, where if there was adequate depth in the room could’ve made a difference in the outcome.

Now, with Hornsby gone and Morrilton, (Ark.) native Jacolby Criswell in Arkansas is back in a good spot at the position.

No, Criswell didn’t see much action during his time as a North Carolina Tar Heel. Having to sit behind Sam Howell and potential NFL star, Drake Maye, limited his playing time.

So, the likely situation on sitting one season and then becoming the starter with Jefferson’s potential departure after the 2023 season seemed like a better option.

Criswell is a shorter version of Jefferson but has an elite arm. During his time in Chapel Hill he completed 18 of 31 passes (58.1%) for 204 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception, while also rushing for 133 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries.

With the addition of 2023 quarterback, Malachi Singleton, Arkansas was close to only having two scholarship athletes at the position during the spring before bringing in Criswell.

The Georgia native was a four-star prospect in the incoming class and also fits the mold of a quarterback Sam Pittman wants in his program. A true dual threat with great speed and solid touch on the deep ball.

Forecasted depth chart:

1. KJ Jefferson
2. Jacolby Criswell
3. Cade Fortin
4. Malachi Singleton
5. Kade Renfro

As it was mentioned earlier, the Razorbacks are poised to have much more competent quarterback play beginning this spring and into the 2023 season. Jefferson suffered various injuries throughout the 2022 season which stymied the offense from scoring and moving the football effectively.

Luckily, for Arkansas the have an opportunity to break back through and contend in the SEC West with such experience and depth again at the quarterback spot. If Arkansas wants to reach the nine-win plateau, this position will set the tone for whether they reach it or not.