KJ Jefferson sees tight ends creating mismatches for Arkansas

Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson is expected to be one of the best in the SEC in 2023. He’ll need to be as the Razorbacks are up against a tough schedule. Helping him out will be a deep tight end room creating mismatches in the passing game.

Jefferson explained that the Razorbacks’ offensive system is designed to help tight ends be successful.

“I mean, those guys being able to have an offensive system where we have rules and boundaries and also giving the tight ends a little freedom to work some moves and showcase their skill level in that talent,” KJ Jefferson said. “So, in this offense, they’ve done a great job taking it on and being able to come out each and every day at practice and work those moves and creating mismatches as well.”

This offseason, Arkansas hired Dan Enos to be the team’s new offensive coordinator. With that is going to come a slight change in offensive philosophy, likely including using more tight ends.

“So, just having an offense like this will free those guys up,” KJ Jefferson concluded.

One tight end who head coach Sam Pittman is excited about is Tyrus Washington in a crowded tight end room.

“He’s gonna help us. I mean, I think we’ve got a pretty good tight end room. I think when you look at Francis [Sherman] and Luke [Hasz] and [Var’keyes] Gumms and Tyrus and [Nathan] Bax, there’s gonna be a lot of opportunity to get into 12 personnel,” Pittman said.

“There’s going to be a lot of opportunity to get him to play, to get on the field, but Tyrus has made some hard, hard catches. He’s getting better at his blocking. [He’s] got a great attitude, playing hard, but the thing that I’m noticing more is he’s getting open and catching contested passes.”

Sam Pittman breaks down Arkansas’ quarterback play in scrimmage

Following a recent scrimmage, Sam Pittman broke down the Arkansas quarterback play, particularly that of KJ Jefferson.

“KJ played well. Like I said, I don’t know that we had a whole lot of time early but when he got time he threw the ball accurate, did a nice job. He had a touchdown in the red area that I called back. They tagged him and he got all mad at me. He said ‘they didn’t tackle me’ and he’s probably right and I was wrong … But he ran the offense well, he’s a veteran,” Pittman said.

“He threw the ball as well as I’ve  ever seen, crazy accuracy. And when he had time to throw today he did a nice job.”