Don't Put AJ Hill's Chance of Winning Arkansas' Starting QB Job In the Ground Just Yet

Hill has proven doubters wrong and may still have a shot at being named the starter

Apr 25, 2026; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback AJ Hill (2) looks to throw the ball during the spring game at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

FAYETTEVILLE — You can count me as one of those who believed the Arkansas quarterback battle was decided the moment KJ Jackson announced during Ryan Silverfield's introductory news conference that he was returning to Fayetteville for the 2026 season.

I thought the job was Jackson's then and still thought so even when former Memphis QB AJ Hill announced that he would be following Ryan Silverfield and Tim Cramsey to Arkansas. I've maintained that belief publicly and privately since, and still do, for the most part.

But with two weeks left until Arkansas' Sept. 5 season opener against North Alabama, I do think the door is open for Hill to potentially win the job. Emphasis on potentially.

Let me preface what follows by saying that I still think that, at least in the long run, Jackson is the better QB. I think he has a higher ceiling, and I was impressed with what I saw from him against Texas and Missouri last year.

But Arkansas' staff has maintained that the competition is neck-and-neck between Jackson and Hill. And given that I watched KJ Jackson miss on several passes during the portions of practice media were allowed to watch, I do think the competition between the two is closer than I and many other originally thought.

Some QB work during today's Razorback football pratice: pic.twitter.com/I8rQs6YgSK

— Samuel Stubbs (@SamMageeStubbs) August 14, 2026

Hill led two touchdown drives to Jackson's three in Arkansas' first scrimmage. There are two more scrimmages remaining for the Razorbacks for Hill to get live reps.

If Hill outplays Jackson in those scrimmages and in the final two weeks of practice leading up to Arkansas' season opener, I could see the Razorbacks splitting reps between the two against North Alabama, provided the game is a blowout as it should be.

That's two weeks worth of ifs, and for what it's worth, I still think Jackson will be named the starting quarterback and has a potential to do some really good things at Arkansas, especially if he sticks around for 2027 or even 2028.

But if Jackson is as inconsistent as he was when I was watching he and Hill throw back-to-back, I do think Hill has an opportunity to keep the battle close enough where Silverfield and Cramsey are making the decision as to who the permanent starter is after Week 1 as opposed to before it.

Even if Jackson does end up taking the starting job as I suspect he will, Hill has an opportunity to take the battle down to the wire. Don't grab the shovels and start burying the prospect of an AJ Hill-led Arkansas offense just yet.

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