KJ Jefferson details growth as a quarterback during offseason

The Arkansas Razorbacks and quarterback KJ Jefferson have no plans on coasting on the team’s success from last season. Arkansas finished the year 9-4, including a victory over Penn State in the Outback Bowl. So to progress from last season, Jefferson has been hard at work this offseason expanding his skill set and ability. During a recent interview, the Razorbacks’ junior signal caller detailed his growth over the offseason and how he did it.

“I’ve grown in decision making and being consistent, or just trying to be consistent. That’s one of my main goals going into this season, just being more consistent,” said Jefferson. “Because consistency builds a lot, it’s very contagious; for me, just being consistent makes me an even better quarterback, an elite quarterback. So being consistent and then just decision making; not doing too much, just playing within the system and also reading the defense and knowing where the ball sugar should go and making sure the ball gets there on time.”

In order to build his decision-making and consistency, Jefferson is not focusing solely on what he does on the field. Instead, he’s been taking advantage of conversations with his offensive coordinator Kendal Briles.

“Me and coach Briles, we’ll meet one-on-one and just talk and break down like: what coverage are they in. Where do you think the ball should go? What play should we call in this situation? We just pick each other brains and just get each other’s thoughts on certain scenarios and plays. So I would say the consistency comes from there.”

Mechanically Jefferson is working on not being so stiff in the pocket this season. And that starts with a good base.

“I would say my base in the pocket. Last season I was just standing tall, standing straight up like a statue. So it’s being able to keep a good base, maintaining a good base, and that speeds up everything. Just being able to transition and get the ball out faster and stuff like that.”

Despite Jefferson’s growth in the offseason, the Razorbacks are projected to finish close to the same mark they did a season ago. ESPN has Arkansas favored to win seven games next season for a 7-5 finish on the year. But if Jefferson has taken his game to the next level this offseason, there is no reason why the Razorbacks should not be in the running for at least a New Year’s Six Bowl berth.