Gus Malzahn analyzes culture, transfer portal fit for KJ Jefferson

KJ Jefferson could be the missing piece that UCF needs to take the next step heading into the 2024 season. Coming off of a 6-7 finish in their first season as a member of the Big 12, the Knights brought in the former Arkansas quarterback to replace John Rhys Plumlee.

Jefferson comes in with high expectations as the No. 73 overall player and No. 17 quarterback according to On3’s Transfer Portal Rankings. UCF coach Gus Malzahn has long been aware of what Jefferson brings to the table, even recruiting him when he coached at Auburn.

He joined On3‘s Andy Staples on Wednesday, where he explained why Jefferson has the “perfect skillset” to excel in the Knights’ offensive scheme.

“I’m really excited about KJ,” Malzahn said. “I recruited him out of high school, but Bo Nix was the same age. Obviously we weren’t gonna take two quarterbacks. So I had my eye on him and, being from Arkansas, a lot of my friends are huge Arkansas fans. So when he went in the portal, he was our No. 1 guy.

“With what we like to do offensively, it doesn’t get any better than his skillset. I think he has the perfect skillset to thrive in our league and in our offense.”

Jefferson was a three-year starter for the Razorbacks, leading them to back-to-back bowl victories in 2021 and 2022 before going just 4-8 this past season. He ended his career in Fayetteville as the school’s career leader in passing yards (7,911) and touchdowns (67).

Jefferson also showed himself to be among the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 247 pounds, he isn’t afraid to put his body on the line to gain a few extra yards either. In fact, he actually led Arkansas in rushing during the 2021 and 2023 seasons, ending his career with 1,876 yards and 21 touchdowns.

It’s that dual skillset that leads Malzahn to believe Jefferson is a perfect fit for his offense. Having worked with dual-threat QBs like Cam Newton and, at UCF, John Rhys Plumlee, the coach prefers to have a signal caller who can run as well as throw.

“There’s been great quarterbacks to come through the University of Arkansas,” Malzahn said. “So that says a lot, but he’s willing to run. When we were recruiting him he said, ‘coach, whatever I need to do to help us win, I’m gonna do.’ John Rhys, he really developed his self into a passer, too. He’s a really good fit for what we like to do.”

UCF also has several exciting pieces to put around KJ Jefferson. Running back RJ Harvey, who rushed for 1,416 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2023, should work with him to create one of the best rushing attacks in the Big 12. The Knights lost leading receiver Javon Baker to the NFL, but return Kobe Hudson and Xavier Townsend.

Oklahoma and Texas are also gone in the Big 12, leaving room for UCF to climb up the standings. Thanks to the addition of Jefferson plus the returning players, Malzahn believes they can.

“Xavier Townsend is a guy who I feel like is really electric and he’s ready to take that next step,” he said. “We got some other young receivers who have a chance to be really good and some good tight ends to and a really solid offensive line. So we’ve got the pieces of the puzzle for him to come in and be successful.”