Sam Pittman discusses KJ Jefferson’s role as a leader

KJ Jefferson is a bonafide leader for Arkansas football and Sam Pittman did not need to be reminded of his special quarterback.

Jefferson is one of the better quarterbacks in the SEC and is a big key to getting Arkansas towards the top of the West division. Going into his final season, Pittman basically said it was business as usual with Jefferson.

And Jefferson is having fun along the way.

“He’s having fun, he’s really confident, really doing a nice job and leading,” Pittman said. “You know it’s easy to lead when it’s positive, hard to lead when (it’s negative) and that goes for all of us, me included. But if you want to (succeed) you better lead in either category, and he certainly has done a good job with both of those. And I didn’t mean that any other way then you don’t have to be reminded because the entire team looks at him as a leader. 

“You know, he does … but I think it’ll be a big year for him because I think he still thinks he’s got a lot to prove, and he does.”

New offensive coordinator Dan Enos echoed those comments and was impressed with Jefferson’s grasp of the new offense.

“He’s really progressing,” Enos said. “I like where he is at. I really like where he is at from a run game standpoint and a protection standpoint. He’s doing a really good job of understanding our run game when things are not going to be good.

“Or on the flip side of that, ‘this might be a better play based on the structure.’ And he’s doing that at the line of scrimmage. Then, his ability to help us in some of our five and six-man protections. He’s grown a lot in those areas.”

Jefferson had a great season last year. He finished with 2,636 yards, 24 touchdowns, five interceptions, a 68% completion percentage, 640 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns.

Throughout the course of his career, Jefferson has 5,804 yards, 48 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, a 65.5% completion percentage, 1,429 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns.

As a member of the Class of 2019, Jefferson was a four-star recruit out of Sardis (Miss.) North Panola, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 14 overall prospect in the state, the No. 16 quarterback in the class and the No. 295 overall prospect in the class.