Green May be Competing Against Razorbacks' Defense

Interesting first comment sounds like like likely starter, not transfer back-up

Author:
Andy Hodges
Updated:
Dec 14, 2023 10:55 AM EST
Original:
Dec 13, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — While everybody is waiting to hear from KJ Jefferson, newly-signed transfer Taylen Green sounded like a starter. It took until the end of Tye Richardson's interview with him on "The Morning Rush" on ESPN Arkansas on Wednesday, but it's not what you usually hear from someone expecting to ride the bench.

"I would say I'm not competing," Green said, but then sounded like he is competing against the Razorbacks with some clarity. "Competition brings out the best in everybody, especially in the SEC. You have to compete every single practice. Arkansas' defense is good and going against them every day in spring practice and fall camp, even the summer competition brings out the best. Accept the challenge, go ahead full steam."

Green said nothing about learning from anybody except coaches. This shouldn't really be surprising. We haven't heard anything official from Jefferson, who completed his fifth season with a loss to Missouri the day after Thanksgiving. The widespread opinion is he's gone, either in the transfer portal or to the NFL.

Green is already considered the starting quarterback by many of the fans. That may be a little quick, but the Hogs probably got him because of a prior relationship with new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, who recruited him while was the coach at Missouri State.

"It was definitely crazy," Green said. "Crazy to think three years later I get to be coached by Coach Petrino. He recruited me in high school. What attracted me was just his knowledge of the game, the detail that he speaks and just the evidence of all the quarterbacks he's coached, the great quarterbacks he's coached and developed."

It is an interesting situation. The quarterback drama may play out right up to the opening game Labor Day weekend against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. There's been no official word from Jefferson. What anybody else thinks is not relevant, but recent history shows, if he returns and earns the job, him making it through last season without missing a game is rare in the SEC.

But Razorback fans know for sure at least one quarterback will definitely be around.

"I signed," Green said. "I'm going to be a Razorback."