RJ Harvey expects KJ Jefferson to have a ‘big impact’ on UCF offense

KJ Jefferson has been a highly productive quarterback over his college career, specifically the past three seasons as the starter at Arkansas. Now, for his sixth year, those numbers will benefit the Knights after he came to UCF out of the transfer portal this offseason.

UCF RB RJ Harvey spoke with On3’s Andy Staples about what Jefferson will bring to their offense in Orlando. He said that his presence has been felt already, both on and off the field, during a spring that his proven to him just how big of an effect that he’ll be having on their team.

“He’s a great guy. I love being around him. I used to watch him play whenever I could see the Arkansas games on TV,” Harvey said. “I used to watch his game and he does some amazing stuff on the field. I know he’ll be a big impact on this offense.”

The other obvious aspect of Jefferson that you have to get used to is the size. At 6’3 and almost 250 pounds, he is quite the looming presence and weapon, especially when you’re talking about at quarterback.

Harvey knows it too based on that film that he has seen of Jefferson’s games from back in Fayetteville.

“I knew he was big but I didn’t know he was that big,” laughed Harvey. “He’s huge.”

“A few clips of him going against? He’s just bouncing off of linebackers and corners,” Harvey said.

Jefferson has completed 626-962 (65.1) of his overall throws in his time with the ‘Hogs. Those went for 7,911 yards and 67 touchdowns along with just 18 interceptions. He also rushed 523 times for an additional 1,876 yards and 21 more scores.

Most of this came since 2021 when he took over the starting job after sitting behind several quarterbacks his first two years. In that span, he went 592-890 (66.5%) for 7,419 yards, 64 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. He carried for 1,751 yards and 17 touchdowns as well on 465 touches.

For those doing the math, Jefferson averaged 6.1 yards per play in those three seasons, 8.3 per pass and 3.8 per rush. Those have led to just over 3,050 total yards and 27 touchdowns per season in that time.

After posting those kinds of statistics, Jefferson was one of the best names to enter in this portal cycle. He ranked as the No. 17 QB and the No. 77 transfer overall in On3’s 2024 Transfer Portal Top Players. Then, after two weeks in the portal, he committed to UCF over other options like Miami and TCU.

Jefferson is sizeable both in stature as well as in results on the field. That substantial feel will now come to FBC Mortgage Stadium as the QB1 for the Knights, which is something his teammates like Harvey can’t wait to experience.