Sam Pittman says KJ Jefferson's ball security 'hasn't been as good' in 2022
It’s no secret that the Arkansas offense starts and ends with quarterback KJ Jefferson, as their offense predominantly runs through his arm as well as his legs. Following the Razorback’s heartbreaking 23-21 Week 4 loss to Texas A&M, head coach Sam Pittman was asked if he believed his quarterback has tried to do too much this year for the offense.
“I don’t think so, I think his ball security hasn’t been as good as what it was a year ago carrying it,” Pittman said.
Jefferson has fumbled the football in three of Arkansas’ first four games, with his most recent being a diving attempt at the end zone versus the Aggies, where Jefferson leaped from the three-yard line and had the ball knocked out and scored on a 97-yard return on an effort from Tyreek Chappell and Demani Richardson to bring Texas A&M within one point of the Razorbacks.
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“I think he just gets caught up in the moment, if you look back at Ole Miss last year he dove over those three guys and extended the ball and all that kind of stuff,” Pittman said. “I think he is trying to win the game and probably that’s about it, to be honest with you.”
Turnovers aside, Jefferson is all about winning, leading the Razorbacks to a 9-4 season last year in his first full season as their starter, the first time they’ve reached 9 wins since 2011. Jefferson also led the Razorbacks in both passing and rushing yards, finishing the season with 2,676 yards in the air and 664 on the ground.
This season, Jefferson has already recorded 274 yards on the ground and ended the Texas A&M game as the Razorbacks leading rusher. Jefferson’s rushing total ranks fifth amongst quarterbacks in the country at the moment, but thankfully the emergence of running back Raheim ‘Rocket’ Sanders will likely take some of the rushing workload off of Jefferson, as he currently sits at 508 yards on the season.
Jefferson’s turnovers may come from a good, competitive place, but they could have the potential to hold the Razorback’s offense back this season, especially depending on how many close games they play in. Arkansas will continue to play tough opponents that will be able to capitalize on crucial turnovers going forward, starting with a visit from No. 2 ranked Alabama who visits Fayetteville this weekend.
If the Razorbacks want to pull off the upset against the Crimson Tide, they’ll definitely have to play one of their best games of the season, and take care of the football a lot better than they have so far this season.