Jimbo Fisher shares how KJ Jefferson's size impacts plan

KJ Jefferson is 6-foot-3, 247 pounds. He is a quarterback. Yes, college coaches also struggle to wrap their minds around it. On Tuesday, Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher revealed how the massive Arkansas QB affects the Aggies’ game plan.

“Every quarterback has things he does well and things he doesn’t do as well,” Fisher said. “You’re always trying to force him to do the things they don’t do well, whether it’s scramble to the left, scrambling right or sometimes containing them in the pocket.”

There are few things Jefferson doesn’t do well. In four games, Jefferson has completed 76 of 108 passes (70.4%) for 918 yards and nine touchdowns while throwing just three interceptions. Jefferson’s nine passing touchdowns are tied for the 20th-most in the country.

Jefferson isn’t afraid of tough competition. This weekend, the redshirt senior threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns in Arkansas’ narrow 34-31 loss to No. 13 LSU. Currently unranked, Texas A&M and Fisher know it won’t be any easier for them to stop the human cannon.

KJ Jefferson has more than an arm

“There’s different ways to affect him and we’re gonna have to do all of them in my opinion,” Fisher said. “He’s probably going to break through a few times too and and pray to God he doesn’t and our spies can get him on the ground.”

Good luck. Jefferson is a tank when he gets moving. Capable of running a 4.7-second 40-yard dash, Jefferson will roll over defenders, turning them into freshly-laid turf. In his expansive career, Jefferson boasts over 1,500 rushing yards and 20 scores on the ground.

Jefferson certainly put his wheels to good use last season against A&M. Although Texas A&M defeated Arkansas 23-21, Jefferson tallied 105 rushing yards and a touchdown on a mere 18 carries. He also tacked on 171 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Texas A&M is on a hot streak

While Jefferson is undoubtedly an imposing figure, the Aggies are riding high into Saturday’s matchup. In its Week 4 win over Auburn, Texas A&M held QB Payton Thorne to a mere 44 passing yards while picking up seven sacks against the Tigers.

Although Jefferson will pose a bigger threat than Thorne, Fisher is happy with how his team is playing.

“I love this team,” Fisher said after the win over Auburn. “This team can play with anybody well on our schedule, but we have to. Talent is one thing, execution is another. Toughness is another. Competitive nature is another. And we have those things.”

Texas A&M and Arkansas will go head-to-head at noon ET on Saturday. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.