KJ Jefferson shares why he returned to Arkansas in 2023

Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson is back for one more go-around in the SEC in 2023. The redshirt senior could have left after last season but elected to come back to Fayetteville, Ark., this year.

He discussed the reasons why he did so with the media Wednesday at the SEC Media Days.

“The factors that led me coming back was I didn’t get to play in some of the big SEC games due to injuries,” Jefferson said. “I just wanted to come back and be able to give my teammates another shot at being able to just go out there and help my teammates win, become successful.”

Jefferson played in 11 games last season with a 68.0% completion percentage, 2,636 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns and five interceptions. He also rushed for 640 yards and added another nine touchdowns on the ground.

He put up very similar numbers in 13 games in 2021. He complied 2,676 passing yards, 664 rushing yards and 27 total touchdowns during that campaign.

Jefferson also has a 16-9 record over the past two seasons. He hopes to see himself continue to improve in 2023.

“Just becoming a better passer, stretching the ball down the field, getting the play-makers the ball, letting them make plays, also just owning the offense, going up to the line of scrimmage, checking out the players, stuff like that that is going to help me prepare for the next level,” Jefferson said.

Jefferson is considered one of the best quarterbacks in the conference alongside LSU signal-caller Jayden Daniels.

The Razorbacks also have a new offensive coordinator in Dan Enos after Kendal Briles left to take the role at TCU. Enos arrived from Maryland, where he was the offensive coordinator for the past two seasons.

This is actually Enos’ second tenure as the offensive coordinator of Arkansas. He previously held the role from 2015-2017. Enos has also been the head coach at Central Michigan, the offensive coordinator at Miami and the quarterbacks coach at Alabama.

“This system is very pro style,” Jefferson said. “It’s a lot slower than how we been in the previous years. Also just being able to — in this offense, it’s a lot on the quarterback. I have a lot more freedom to do different things, audible different plays, stuff like that. It’s fun to be in, and also just a learning tool for me just for the next level.”