Below is an analysis of Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson's fifth career start after a re-watch of the Georgia Southern game:
KJ Jefferson vs. Georgia Southern
At/Behind LOS: 5/6, 167 yards, TD
1-5 yards: N/A
6-10 yards: 2/7, 18 yards
11-15 yards: 2/3, 29 yards, TD
16+ yards: 4/7, 152 yards, TD
Rushing: 5 carries, 18 yards
Best throw: The 60-yard touchdown pass to receiver Warren Thompson was as good as it got for Jefferson against Georgia Southern. The score to Tyson Morris from 14 yards out was great, too, an on-the-money laser, but Jefferson dropped a 48-yard dime to Thompson against single coverage.
Worst throw: Jefferson’s incomplete pass intended for Treylon Burks 9 yards downfield stood out. Rolling right – he’s become very solid throwing on the move – Jefferson did not give Burks much of a chance with a ball at his feet. It brought about some groans from the crowd as well.
Accurate passes: 11
Inaccurate passes: 6
• Incomplete pass intended for Burks 33 yards downfield. Throw was high.
• Incomplete pass intended for De’Vion Warren 8 yards downfield. Throw was low.
• Incomplete pass intended for Burks 13 yards downfield. Jefferson was hit and the throw was high.
• Completed pass to Burks for a 24-yard gain. Throw turned the receiver around rather than leading him.
• Incomplete pass intended for Burks 9 yards downfield. Throw was at the receiver’s feet.
• Incomplete pass intended for Thompson 8 yards downfield. Jefferson was hit and the throw was high.
Interceptable passes: 0
Throwaways: 0
1st-down throws on 3rd down: 3
• Completed pass to AJ Green for an 18-yard gain on third-and-10
• Completed pass to Jaquayln Crawford for a 10-yard gain on third-and-6
• Completed pass to Warren for a 15-yard gain on third-and-5
Passes broken up: 3
• Incomplete pass intended for Burks 35 yards downfield
• Incomplete pass intended for Ketron Jackson 43 yards downfield
• Incomplete pass intended for Jackson 10 yards downfield on his final throw
Drops: 2
• Incomplete pass intended for Warren 9 yards downfield near the Georgia Southern sideline
• Incomplete pass intended for Green at the line of scrimmage in the red zone
• Season totals: Treylon Burks 2, De’Vion Warren 2, Trelon Smith 1, AJ Green 1
Analysis: KJ Jefferson was terrific in Arkansas’ 40-21 victory over Texas in Week 2, taking what the Longhorns defense gave him and keeping the ball out of harm’s way with the exception of an interception. He was a bit less sharp against Georgia Southern but made some of his best throws of the season down the field.
He let his playmakers work, too. The Razorbacks finished with 210 yards after the catch. Burks had 94 on his touchdown alone and 113 for the game. Warren added 51, including 49 on his pop-pass reception.
Jefferson said in his postgame press conference Saturday that the plan early last week was to air the ball out more against the Eagles. In the first two games, he took four shots 16-plus yards downfield. In Week 3, he let loose on seven and completed four for 152 yards and a score. He hooked up with Tyson Morris for a chunk play for the third time this season. Those completions have netted 123 yards. Burks, Thompson and tight end Blake Kern also brought in passes 16-plus yards at depth.
Through three games, Jefferson has been Feleipe Franks-like on his vertical passes, hitting 8 of 11 for 264 yards and a touchdown.
Another positive for him was three completions that moved the chains on third down. Jefferson is going to have to do that with greater regularity in SEC play to sustain key drives. Two of those three throws came on the early 15-play, 94-yard drive, which was capped by a Dominique Johnson touchdown run.
I charted Jefferson with a season-high six inaccurate passes, one of which was caught by Burks, who contorted his body to make the play. The other five were just missed throws. He was hit hard shortly after the release on two. Three more of his passes were broken up, too, bringing his season total to six, and two came on his final throws targeting Ketron Jackson.
After seeing Jefferson throw 23 passes five or fewer yards downfield in the first two games, it was good to see him work the ball deeper last week. If he is able to find more success in the intermediate range, Arkansas’ passing game will be in good shape entering a tough stretch of league games.
According to Pro Football Focus, Jefferson has the fifth-best overall grade among SEC quarterbacks at 77.1. It is also good for 53rd nationally.
KJ Jefferson's season passing totals
At/Behind LOS: 12/15, 201 yards, TD
1-5 yards: 11/14, 76 yards, INT
6-10 yards: 5/17, 51 yards, TD, INT
11-15 yards: 3/6, 40 yards, TD
16+ yards: 8/11, 264 yards, TD