Tag: KJ Jefferson

Nov 11, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) runs the ball during the second quarter in the game against the Auburn Tigersat Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

Arkansas transfer QB KJ Jefferson commits to UCF

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson announced on social media Monday that he will transfer to UCF for his final season of eligibility.

Jefferson, 22, completed 64.2 percent of his passes for the Razorbacks in 12 starts last season, throwing for 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The Razorbacks finished 4-8.

Jefferson played just three games as a true freshman in 2019 and made two starts over eight games from 2019-20. As the full-time starting QB for the Razorbacks in 2021, he threw for 21 touchdowns and four interceptions then followed that in 2022 with 24 TDs and five interceptions.

All told, Jefferson has amassed 7,911 passing yards, 67 touchdowns and 18 interceptions as well as 1,876 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns in parts of five seasons in Fayetteville.

Shortly after Jefferson announced he would move to UCF, wide receiver Kobe Hudson announced he would return to the Knights in 2024. Hudson, a former Auburn transfer, had 44 catches for 900 yards and eight TDs this past season.

–Field Level Media

Nov 18, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) rushes in the third quarter against the FIU Panthers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas won 44-20. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson enters transfer portal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson is in the transfer portal, several outlets reported Monday.

As a graduate transfer, Jefferson will be immediately eligible to play in 2024.

Jefferson has spent five years with the Razorbacks and thrown for 7,911 yards, 67 touchdowns and 18 interceptions on 65.1 percent passing. In 2023, his numbers took a slight dip from recent seasons with 2,107 yards, 19 touchdowns and a career-high eight picks.

Jefferson also ran for 447 yards and two touchdowns in 2023 and has gained 1,876 yards rushing and scored 21 rushing touchdowns over five seasons.

During Jefferson’s time on campus, Arkansas recovered from some lean years to go 9-4 in 2021 (with an AP ranking as high as No. 8) and 7-6 in 2022. But the Razorbacks fell to 4-8 (1-7 SEC) in 2023, and the program hired its former head coach, Bobby Petrino, as the new offensive coordinator under Sam Pittman.

Jefferson hails from Mississippi and was a four-star prospect coming out of high school. He earned MVP honors at both the Outback Bowl after the 2021 season and the Liberty Bowl after the 2022 campaign.

–Field Level Media

Nov 11, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) gets past Auburn Tigers linebacker Elijah McAllister (11) during the second quarter at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson to enter transfer portal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson will enter the transfer portal, he announced in a social media post Saturday.

“It has been a dream to be captain and QB1 at the University of Arkansas,” Jefferson wrote on Instagram. “Accomplishing those records and being mentioned amongst the great QBs in Razorback history was an honor, but the memories and friendships I’ve made with my coaches and teammates along the way are what I’ll cherish the most.

“To the fans, I can’t express my gratitude enough for all of the support I’ve received from this great state. I hope you’ve enjoyed watching me grow as a man and a player as much as I’ve enjoyed representing this state and university. You accepted me as one of your own, and for that, I’m forever grateful and in your debt.”

The 6-foot-3, 247-pound Sardis, Miss., native totaled 7,911 yards passing and 67 touchdowns in his career at Arkansas. Prior to 2023, he had two straight seasons where he rushed for at least 600 yards and six touchdowns.

Arkansas finished the 2023 season a disappointing 4-8 with Jefferson throwing for a career-low 2,107 yards and eight interceptions, and only adding 447 yards and two touchdowns via the ground.

However, his previous three seasons as a starter did enough to establish his talent, and he is expected to be an attractive QB option in the portal, with schools like South Carolina and Auburn as possible destinations for Jefferson.

In a 44-20 win over Florida International in November, Jefferson broke Brandon Allen’s school record of 64 TD passes and Tyler Wilson’s passing yardage mark of 7,765 yards.

Before Jefferson officially stated his intentions, Arkansas grabbed Boise State transfer quarterback Taylen Green via the portal on Dec. 12.

–Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2022; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) against the Missouri Tigers during the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson (leg) leaves game vs. Missouri

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Record-setting quarterback KJ Jefferson was injured on the Razorbacks’ second series in the team’s season-finale against No. 9 Missouri on Friday.

A senior who set two school records last weekend in a 44-20 win over Florida International, Jefferson scrambled for a 22-yard gain just six minutes into the Battle Line Rivalry matchup. He fumbled on the play.

The 6-foot-3, 247-pound Sardis, Miss., native took a hard hit on his left side and came up clutching his left knee. He had to be helped off the field by the training staff.

Jefferson was replaced at quarterback by Jacolby Criswell, a transfer from North Carolina.

Jefferson was 2-for-2 passing for just two yards at the time he left the game.

–Field Level Media

Nov 19, 2022; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) rushes in the second quarter against the Ole Miss Rebels at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson returning in 2023

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Quarterback KJ Jefferson announced Friday he will return to play one more season at Arkansas.

Jefferson, who just completed his fourth year at Arkansas as a redshirt junior, was eligible for the NFL draft. He teased the idea of heading to the pros in his social media announcement before declaring his true intentions.

“As for the Arkansas fans, I have always loved playing for you all and the support you have given me is unmatched,” Jefferson wrote.

“With that said, it’s time to fulfill my dreams … and my dreams wouldn’t be complete without one more year on The Hill” — a nickname for Arkansas’ campus.

In 10 games in 2022, Jefferson completed 68.3 percent of his passes for 2,361 yards and 22 touchdowns with only four interceptions. He added 510 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.

He’s thrown for 5,529 yards, 46 touchdowns and nine picks in his career at Arkansas.

Jefferson became the Razorbacks’ starting quarterback in 2021 and guided them to a 9-4 record, including an Outback Bowl victory over Penn State, the program’s first bowl win since 2015.

Arkansas (6-6, 3-5 SEC) is bowl eligible again this season.

–Field Level Media