It seems the rest of the world is starting to take notice of what Razorback fans have known for quite some time: Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson is good. Really good.
After throwing for 2,648 yards with 24 touchdowns and five interceptions, while adding 640 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground, Jefferson entered the 2023 season as a Player of the Year candidate not only in the Southeastern Conference, but nationally as well.
Jefferson weighed his NFL options heading into last offseason but announced his return in early December, much to the delight of Arkansas fans and head coach Sam Pittman.
“It was a relief,” Pittman said in an interview with CBS Sports during SEC Media Days. “Very honored and proud that he thought enough of us and our program to come back and see it through."
Despite the hype, there are looming questions revolving around the team’s play calling heading into the new season.
One that immediately jumps out is the departure of offensive coordinator Kendal Briles and the subsequent hiring of offensive coordinator Dan Enos for his second stint as offensive coordinator for the Razorbacks.
As with any new hire, the question is, are there going to be any growing pains under a new system? Jefferson seems confident there won’t be.
It was Enos’ track record of developing quarterbacks, such as Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts, that was a factor in Jefferson’s decision to return for his final season on the Hill.
“I’m very comfortable,” Jefferson said about learning a new offense in a breakaway interview during SEC Media Days. “Every day I want to go in and learn as much as I can.”
With the offseason departures of Arkansas’ top four pass catchers, who is Jefferson going to throw the ball to? Replacing that production will be no easy task, but the Razorbacks have plenty of talented players that could step up and take on those roles.
Transfer wideouts Andrew Armstrong and Isaac TeSlaa jump out as potential candidates after outstanding seasons in 2022. Armstrong hauled in 62 catches for 1,020 yards and 13 touchdowns for Texas A&M Commerce, while TeSlaa was namedthe Great Midwest American Conference Offensive Player of the Year and team MVP after hauling in 68 passes for 1,325 yards and 13 touchdowns for Hillsdale College.
Each starred in the season opening win over Western Carolina, with both receivers hauling in a touchdown. Armstrong appears to be an early favorite of Jefferson, drawing a team-high seven targets.
Other potential contributors include returning redshirt freshman receiver Isaiah Sategna and redshirt sophomore Jaedon Wilson.
With all the roster turnovers, Jefferson has taken it upon himself to bring familiarity between himself and his wide receiving corps, something that has paid dividends for him in the past.
“This offseason, just being able to work with the wide receivers on our off time, when we have off days, weekends, we get in in the morning and knock out routes and timing and different formations to make sure we’re lining up fast,” Jefferson told reporters at SEC Media Days. “So, when fall camp and the season comes around, everybody is playing fast and everybody’s confidence is up.”
Arkansas fans got their first glance at Jefferson and the new-look offense Saturday in a 56-13 rout of Western Carolina in front of 44,397 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas.
“I thought (Jefferson) was really poised,” Pittman said following the game. “We made a lot about (the new offense), you know, everybody did, including myself. I wondered about it, new coordinator, new coach, all that kind of stuff. I don’t know that we can answer any questions, but I thought he played really well today.”
Jefferson hit wide receiver Jaedon Wilson for a 65-yard touchdown just under two minutes into the game, and from there continued to go 18-23 with 246 yards and three touchdowns through the air while adding 24 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
“I knew how he was going to call the game,” Jefferson said of Enos following Saturday’s victory. “Me and him were just communicating on the sidelines, on the headset. I’m telling him what I see from the on-field standpoint, and he’s telling me what he sees up in the box, but it was great communication between us, and we were on the same page.”
After two wins to start the season, the Hogs will face a slight uptick in competition in a Sept. 16 home contest against BYU. From there, the Razorbacks begin a tough stretch with a road game at No. 5 LSU, before finishing September against No. 23 Texas A&M inside AT&T Stadium in Dallas.