KJ Jackson's Loyalty to Arkansas Paid Off With Starting Nod

FAYETTEVILLE — In an era of college football where loyalty is a punchline, KJ Jackson embodies it.

Jackson committed to Arkansas when Sam Pittman was the head coach and Dan Enos was the offensive coordinator. He still came to UA in 2024 with Bobby Petrino was OC, started Arkansas' 2025 finale with Pittman fired and Petrino as acting head coach and still stuck around when Ryan Silverfield became Arkansas' new head coach last November.

Jackson's loyalty, along with his play on the practice field over the last eight months, resulted in him being named Arkansas' starting quarterback on Sunday.

Silverfield's decision wasn't a surprise, but it was a big vote of confidence in Jackson leading into the Razorbacks' 2026 campaign.

Refresher of what KJ did last season. I’m excited to see him take the reins!! pic.twitter.com/1UKAE3cld4
— WarMachine2013 (@WarMachine2013) August 23, 2026

"Me and AJ, we've been battling all camp," Jackson said. "I think we truly made each other better all camp, every single day. Came in to work with a lot of excitement, a lot of energy. Coach Crams brought us in his office today and kind of broke the news to us, told us that we still both have to go out there and compete every single day and be the best players that we can for the team."

Jackson spoke with Hill after being informed of Cramsey's decision.

"I just told him, like, 'We're gonna need you,'" Jackson said. "i think we both said that last time we were in here together. We're going to need both of us to be a successful football team and win all the games that we want to win this fall.

"I think the battle definitely made me a better player at the end of the day. I had to show up and come to work, because all the quarterbacks in the room are great players.

“It was truly just competing every day and being able to bounce back from days that you might've thought you lost the day. You just got to bounce back from those types of days, and I think that's something I'm going to keep in my mind going into the season."

The first people Jackson called after hearing the news were his parents.

"They've been with me the whole time," Jackson said. "It's just another milestone along the way. I want to be the best player I can for the guys in the locker room and win games in the fall."

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