QB Rankings: KJ Jefferson

September 27, 2021 CFB Saturdays Staff

Updated: 01/19/2022

With the season underway players have had the opportunity to raise their stock and move up the rankings. Before we jump into KJ Jefferson, here’s a few reminders about the rankings themselves:

The rankings will be updated throughout the season.
Players who have not played college football are not eligible for the rankings.
Players are graded on their college ability, not their pro potential.
We are judging players on their film, production and physical tools.

You can view the College Football QB Rankings here.

Arkansas was counting on KJ Jefferson to lead the program in 2021. The physically imposing quarterback took the reigns of the offense in his red-shirt sophomore season and had a strong season. In 2021, Jefferson was devastating as a runner, carrying the ball 146 times for 664 yards and 6 touchdowns. He has also shown the ability to make plays in the passing game, completing 67 percent of his passes and averaging 9.1 yards per attempt with a 21 to 4 touchdown to interception ratio. There is still room to grow, but Jefferson turned in a big season and will only get better as he refines his game.

Jefferson is every bit of 6’3″ 245 lbs and has the power you would expect from a player with that frame. He moves the pile with his leg drive and runs through arm tackles as if they are mere nuisances. Jefferson’s size is an asset, but it can be misleading because he is a very nifty athlete. He has some speed in the open field and shows good acceleration to hit the running lanes and get to the second level of the defense. He has good lateral agility and can make defenders miss or plow right over them if they are not ready to make the hit. Once he reaches the second level, defenders are in a tough spot trying to bring down the athletic quarterback.

While his size and running ability get plenty of attention, Jefferson is quickly progressing as a passer as well. He has a strong arm and can make throws to all levels of the field. Jefferson is able to fit passes in tight windows and is getting better with his consistency as a passer. He has improved his accuracy and is doing a better job of putting touch on the ball when it is needed. Because defenses are conscious of his running ability, Jefferson is able to find favorable match-ups downfield and has the arm talent to exploit them for big plays in the passing game.

Jefferson is a physical specimen at the quarterback position, who is a rare athlete with a great combination of mobility and power. He is an improving passer who is getting better at making his reads and being consistent with his accuracy and decision making. Jefferson has a strong arm that allows him to make big plays downfield. He is already a dangerous dual-threat quarterback, but has the potential to keep improving and become one of the best in college football.

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