Skip to main content
Join
Team Avatar
Arkansas

KJ Jefferson addresses sustained success at Arkansas

On3 imageby:Sam Gillenwater•07/20/22•

samdg_33

kj-jefferson-details-process-of-becoming-the-leader-of-arkansas-football-making-improvements
Wesly Hitt | Getty Images

The Arkansas football program has had a major glow up since KJ Jefferson first arrived in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks went a combined 5-17 during his first two seasons on campus. In 2021, Jefferson’s first as a starter, they broke out with a 9-4 year. In his eyes, Jefferson believes they have what it takes to sustain that success into 2022.

Jefferson attended SEC Media Days and previewed the Hog’s upcoming season. He says he and his teammates have put a lot of work into Sam Pittman’s program in order to stay at the level they met last fall.

“I do (think we can). I mean we all just bought in and locked in. We’re all just bought into the process, are believing in each other, and being more and more confident each and every day. (We’re) just coming in and working,” said Jefferson.

Jefferson was arguably the best dual-threat weapon in the whole SEC last season. He threw for 2,676 yards and 21 touchdowns to pair with 664 rushing yards and an additional six touchdowns. The effort from he and his teammates earned them a spot in the AP Poll for ten weeks of last season. It also won them games against No. 15 Texas and No. 7 Texas A&M as well as had them close in multiple primetime matchups against the best in the SEC.

While the success on the field is great, Jefferson said the bond the Razorbacks create is more important. Taking the time to grow as people away from football is what he thinks will help them carry the success over.

“Also just being able to come in and love one another and really bond. (Getting) to know each other not from a football standpoint but (also) on a personal level,” Jefferson said.

Analysts expect KJ Jefferson to be one of the best QBs in the SEC if not all of college football. Pittman’s expectations have also been raised after he signed a new five-year contract this summer. Even so, they’re more than ready to rise to the challenge. They won their most games since 2011 last season and have no intention of falling back off. In order to sustain like Jefferson says, they Hogs will need to hit the ground running September 3rd with their big opener against Cincinnati.