Strong arm and Armstrong: Has KJ Jefferson found a WR1

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Say what you must about the Arkansas’ transfer group of wide receivers this fall, but statistically speaking, they provide a lot of promise.

Highlights from the opening day of practice have littered the internet demonstrating the speed of Texas A&M-Commerce transfer Andrew Armstrong and a connection with quarterback KJ Jefferson built over the past several months. Whether it be the deep ball adjustments or effectiveness over the middle, the 6-foot-4, 190 pound receiver showed he can be the answer to the question people have been asking about Arkansas’ passing game all summer.

The beginning

Lightly recruited out of Bishop Dunne in Dallas in 2019, the unrated freshman receiver redshirted for the Lions, a Division II program at the time. Covid canceled the following season, allowing Armstrong even more time to grow both physically and in skills without using eligibility. The work paid off as Armstrong recorded 15 receptions for 297 yards and 3 touchdowns when he finally took the field in 2021. He displayed a knack for the deep ball – averaging 20 yards per reception.

Progress

Armstrong grew into a bonafide Power Five prospect after blooming during the 2022 season. So much that it caught the attention of nearly 20 schools. He committed to the Razorbacks over Utah, Missouri, Miami, Washington State, Purdue, Colorado, Wisconsin and Louisville. 

Armstrong has the chance to be a star after having a breakthrough season in 2022. 

The former Lion was electric last season while catching a team-leading 62 passes for a team-high 1,020 yards (16.5 ypc) and 13 touchdowns in Texas A&M-Commerce’s FCS debut as Southland Conference members. He averaged 92.7 receiving yards per game – the first 1000-yard receiver in eight seasons for the Lions.

Can he be a problem?

If a player can dominate at a lower division in football, there’s the likelihood of him performing well at the next level. For obvious reasons, there’s no way to forecast how he will perform against SEC competition in 2023.. There’s a new offense being installed, along with Jefferson having to settle in with a new group of receivers again. 

In multiple videos, Armstrong is seen blowing past Lorando Johnson, a Baylor transfer and top 40 cornerback out of high school He played in 13 games against the likes of Texas, Oklahoma and Ole Miss while Armstrong took on Western New Mexico, Fort Lauderdale and UT-Permian Basin.

With a shimmy and shake, Johnson was seen running full speed behind a striding Armstrong on a go-route down the left sideline on a perfectly placed touchdown throw from Jefferson. A few moments later, one of the back-ups also threw a pass over the middle to the FCS product for what looked like another touchdown. It is hard not to overreact to things on film from practice. However, the fact that chemistry and timing between both groups were crisp, it’s hard to be nothing but intrigued.

One of the more pressing issues throughout the summer is who will step up in the receiver room. After one day, Armstrong has presented himself as the emerging go-to receiver.. However, the question now is how long he can sustain success with players and coaches adjusting to his game.