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With Felipe franks En route to NFL, keys to Arkansas offense passed to sophomore redshirt quarterback KJ Jefferson. The Head Coach Sam pittman This was pretty clear during his session at SEC Media Days on Thursday.
“KJ Jefferson is our quarterback, ”Pittman said. “Now, does he have competition? You’re right, he’s got competition, but he’s proven he can play well in the Southeastern Conference in one game. He started a game and he played well in that game. “
Fans will recall that Jefferson replaced injured Franks at Missouri on December 5 and delivered a win-worthy performance that ultimately ended in a heartbreaking loss. Still, he showed his promising potential by finishing the day 18 of 33 passing for 274 yards and three touchdowns while adding 32 yards and another rushing score.
With Jefferson rolling with the first group throughout the spring, the coaching staff has seen good growth. There is certainly still progress to be made, especially in terms of precision, but when it comes to having respect for the locker room and being ready to perform under the lights, he seems to be on top of things.
“I think more than anything, I’ve seen growth,” Pittman said. “We opened the scrums, we were proud that people came. We obviously opened the spring game. He plays better when there are people in the stands. We have to make it more precise during training, but he is what they might call a player. These are things that we are passionate about. “
It’s no secret Arkansas will likely go as far as Jefferson takes them. While he doesn’t have the experience of his predecessor, he has a veteran offensive line to protect him, good weapons at skill positions, and the ability to take damage as a rusher.
Jefferson will be more of a threat to use his legs than Franks, who performed surprisingly well last season, which should give Arkansas a different dynamic this fall. While that won’t change the way his offensive line blocks too much for him, they will need to be more aware of his ability to scramble and make plays.
“I don’t think the trends will change,” the offensive lineman said Myron cunningham. “Since he can run, like you said, he can run better than Felipe, I think we just have to have that in mind every time we step back to pass the ball. We just have to have that in our n ‘ remember he might scramble. So we just have to be ready for it. “
Cunningham has also seen the growth of his quarterback and appreciates how he sets an example while being more active as a voice in the locker room and on the pitch. After his performance against the Tigers last season, Jefferson is more confident and that permeates the entire caucus.
“I saw his growth,” Cunningham said. “He comes in everyday with his head down and works. He’s more vocal as a leader, and that’s all you can ask of him right now. He’s also working on his precision. it is to be a leader and carry us. “
“KJ brings a big swagger on himself. He’s getting more vocal, but he’s very assertive in the way he plays. He’s very athletic. He’s just got a great leadership factor, and I think that will only help. ‘to help. He commands the caucus very well. He has a big boast for him to just command the offensive. We all believe in him, especially since every time he’s played he’s done really well and exceeded expectations. ”
Fall camp is scheduled to begin in a few weeks and Jefferson and the Razorbacks will begin preparations for the season opener against Rice on September 4 from Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.
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