Speculate No More! KJ Jefferson Off to Malzahn-Led Offense

Razorbacks all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns transfers to UCF for final year

Author:
Daniel Shi
Updated:
Jan 2, 2024 8:38 AM EST
Original:
Jan 1, 2024

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — KJ Jefferson has made his destination known. He will finish out the rest of his college career as a UCF Golden Knight under former Arkansas offensive coordinator coach Gus Malzahn.

Jefferson spent parts of five seasons at Arkansas (three as a full-time starter) and accrued 7,911 passing yards with 67 passing touchdowns, both school records.

UCF is coming off its first season in the Big 12 after moving from the American Athletic Conference (AAC). The Golden Knights finished the season 6-7 after losing to Georgia Tech in the Gasparilla Bowl. Jefferson presumably takes over for John Rhys Plumlee, another Mississippi native who finished his last two seasons at UCF after starting at Ole Miss.

Jefferson will look to replicate the success that other dual-threat quarterbacks have had under Malzahn such as Cam Newton's college career including a 2010 BCS National Championship over Oregon. Other quarterbacks under Malzahn's tutelage include Bo Nix and Plumlee. Plumlee finished his UCF career with 5,838 passing yards and 1,367 rushing yards in just 23 games. Jefferson looks to be used similarly.

He'll have to rebound from his final season in Fayetteville, where he set career lows in passing yards, touchdowns and interceptions, mostly due to a below-par offensive line. The Razorbacks and coach Sam Pittman will turn to either Taylen Green, Jacolby Criswell or Malachi Singleton to take over starting duties for the Hogs in a quarterback battle that will develop throughout camp.