K.J. Jefferson has been a steady presence for the Arkansas Razorbacks over the last two years. He is going into his final season, but what is after him?
Jefferson was a prized recruit in Chad Morris’s fist recruiting class. Jefferson was one of few things Morris did right in his time at Arkansas.
Jefferson has been a solid option for the Razorbacks. He does not turn the ball over, he picks up first downs with his feet, he throws a good deep ball, but the Razorbacks could use an upgrade.
There are some things Jefferson struggles to do. He does not throw the ball over the middle well and the intermediate throws can be a struggle for him sometimes.
In order for Arkansas to take a step from a team that finished in the middle of the SEC at 7-5 or 8-4 they need an upgrade at quarterback.
That quarterback just might be on the roster in 2024.
Who will be the Arkansas Razorbacks starting quarterback in 2024?
Let us start with Jacolby Criswell. He is a transfer from North Carolina, but he played his high school football in Arkansas.
He was a four star coming out of high school, and he should be the backup this year. Criswell is similar to Jefferson in terms of their play styles.
Criswell is big, with a powerful arm, and the ability to make plays with his legs. There is a major difference between the two though.
Jefferson has to be stationary to deliver the football accurately. When he has to scramble and throw on the run he struggles, but not Criswell.
247sports.com, one of the more popular high school recruiting sites, had this to say about Criswell. “Improvisational skills are dangerous in the scramble drill.” That is one of the biggest skills holding Jefferson back.
The ability to extend broken plays and make secondaries pay. Usually when a play breaks down Jefferson takes off and picks up what he can. Criswell should be able to make defenses pay with his arm when a play breaks down.
That is if Criswell is the quarterback in 2024. The Razorbacks have a four star freshman coming in named Malachi Singleton. He was the 17th ranked quarterback in the 2023 class.
There is potential that he transfers since he was recruited by Arkansas’s former offensive coordinator Kendal Briles.
If he stays though he reminds me a lot of Jefferson when he came to Arkansas. Singleton is another big quarterback with a strong arm and the ability to carry the football.
There are some concerns with his accuracy. 247sports.com says, “He is equipped with a strong, rather accurate arm.”
That sounds just like Jefferson when he came to Arkansas his freshman year. Sam Pittman’s staff developed Jefferson and I am sure that new offensive coordinator, Dan Enos, could develop Singleton.
Finally, big news broke over the weekend for Arkansas’s 2024 recruiting class as K.J. Jackson committed. He is yet another four star quarterback set to play for the Razorbacks.
At this point you probably know what comes next. He is a big quarterback, with a big arm, and the ability to scramble.
Unlike Jefferson, Criswell, and Singleton however he is listed as a pro-style quarterback. He was mainly recruited by Enos, so this is the type of quarterback he wants.
Coming in as a freshman with the talent the Arkansas Razorbacks already have in the quarterback room he probably will not be the starter, but he is adding depth to a position that needs depth.
It is nice to know that the Arkansas Razorbacks will have plenty of options at quarterback after Jefferson leaves, or if he gets hurt.
Jefferson missed two games last year and the backups were underwhelming to say the least. That should not be an issue this year if he goes down with another injury.
This year though could be a big year for Jefferson. There are reports that the receiver room is talented this year and it is always helpful to hand the ball off to Rocket Sanders or A.J. Green.