KJ Jefferson, Cam Ball praise production of Trajan Jeffcoat

It didn’t take long for Trajan Jeffcoat to make an impression. The defensive lineman transferred to Arkansas this offseason after spending five years at Missouri. After Jeffcoat, otherwise known as “Tree,” boasted an impressive summer, his teammates praised his talents.

“I can tell you one thing about Tree, man. Tree is a hard worker,” Cam Ball said on Saturday. “He’s good in both run and pass. Tree comes off that edge, and he’s flying, man… Tree is one heck of a player.”

Jeffcoat was a three-year starter for Missouri, tallying 84 tackles, 11.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Jeffcoat was particularly fantastic in 2020, when he was named an AP and Coaches First Team All-SEC honoree.

Now, Arkansas hopes to return Jeffcoat to his peak. From the sound of Jeffcoats teammates, he’s on the right track.

“He comes off the edge and he’s flying to the ball. He’s got a nose for the ball both run and pass; Great guy,” Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson said. “Like you said, hardworking guy. It’s always a competition for him. He’s self-motivated. A lot of the time having a guy like him on the edge is really a problem.”

Arkansas’ defense last season was already dangerous. With Jeffcoat added into the equation, the Razorbacks could be lethal. Arkansas recorded 42 sacks last season, ranking eighth in the nation. With new defensive coordinator Travis Williams leading the Razorbacks, fans expect even bigger things this season.

Trajan Jeffcoat isn’t the only new face

Arkansas hired Williams in December last year. The 40-year-old DC spent the previous two seasons under Gus Malzahn at UCF. Pittman believes Williams will push Arkansas in the right direction and, more importantly, do it quickly.

“Understood urgency. It’s just different. Urgency of coaching in the SEC. Urgency of recruiting in the SEC, it’s different, man. Anybody says it ain’t, they’re lying. It’s different,” Pittman said at SEC Media Days. “He’s very, very aggressive. I liked his style. I like the fact that he’s going to keep four linemen on the d-line in the game, even if he’s in an odd front, he’d walk one up.”

Williams has an impressive track record. In two seasons at UCF, Williams improved the Knights’ defense from eighth in the AAC in scoring defense to third each of the last two seasons. For his efforts, Williams was named as a nominee for the Broyles Award, given to the nation’s top assistant coach, each of the last two years.