Sam Pittman says Arkansas can 'absolutely' beat SEC teams with Jacolby Criswell

Arkansas has the luxury of running out one of the SEC’s most accomplished and experienced quarterbacks next season in KJ Jefferson. However, Sam Pittman doesn’t want that fact to undercut anything that Jacolby Criswell, their transfer from North Carolina, is doing.

Pittman credited Criswell for his work since arriving in Fayetteville following the ‘Hog’s spring game. He said he has already made an impression after not playing a ton of football in Chapel Hill and that, to him, the Razorbacks would feel more than comfortable in trying to win a league matchup with him as their QB1.

“Jacolby hasn’t played a whole lot of ball over at North Carolina. To be where he is and what he’s done? I mean he’s thrown some stuff in practice that was crazy good,” said Pittman. “I think he’s just going to get better and better.”

“Can we beat an SEC team with him in at quarterback? And the answer would be absolutely in my opinion,” Pittman said. “He was very, very valuable to us to bring in.”

Criswell was a four-star prospect in the 2020 class and a Top-20 QB according to On3’s Industry Rankings. He then spent the past three seasons with the Tar Heels where he accumulated 31 pass attempts, 337 total yards, and two touchdowns overall.

Then, during this offseason, he elected to enter the transfer portal. He eventually committed to Pittman and Arkansas as a Top-150 player and the No. 17 QB in the portal per On3’s Portal Rankings.

Criswell doesn’t have much of a resume to rely upon yet. He also is likely to end up behind Jefferson considering what he has done as the Razorback’s starter. Still, Pittman doesn’t think anyone should be counting out Criswell if he’s ever called upon considering what he has already shown out on the field.

Jefferson opens up on embracing competition with Criswell

Arkansas brought in North Carolina quarterback Jacolby Criswell this offseason despite two-year starter KJ Jefferson returning for another season. The decision may rub some quarterbacks the wrong way, but not Jefferson, who spoke after the Razorbacks’ spring game about embracing the competition between Criswell and the rest of Arkansas’ quarterback room.

“In the quarterback room, it’s always iron sharpening iron in there,” Jefferson said. “I mean, my spot is up for grabs just like anybody’s. So anytime I come in? Man, I’m ready to work, learn from each other. We all learn from each other.”

“So we just created the environment. It’s a brotherhood. And when we step out on the field? We’re all competing at one another and were trying to be that top guy,” Jefferson explained.

Criswell may not have as much game experience as Jefferson but he has still taught him a thing or two.

“So just bringing Jacolby in just adds fuel to the fire. He’s a great guy off the field and on the field as well,” Jefferson said. “So I’ll learn some things from him. He’s taught me some things too.”