FAYETTEVILLE — A staple of Arkansas football in recent years and program record setter is entering the NCAA transfer portal.
Quarterback KJ Jefferson on Saturday stated plans to transfer from the Razorbacks. He has one season of eligibility remaining.
"I hope you've enjoyed watching me grow as a man and a player as much as I've enjoyed representing this state and university," Jefferson wrote in a post to his Instagram account. "You accepted me as one of your own, and for that, I'm forever grateful and in your debt."
Jefferson, a native of Sardis, Miss., arrived at Arkansas as a 4-star prospect. He was considered by 247Sports as the No. 4 dual-threat quarterback in his class.
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After making a pair of starts against LSU and Missouri in the 2019 and 2020 seasons, Jefferson became the Razorbacks’ full-time starter in 2021. His breakout game came at Missouri in 2020 when he accounted for 306 yards and 4 touchdowns while filling in for injured quarterback Feleipe Franks.
He led Arkansas in 2021 to a 9-4 record and win over Penn State in the Outback Bowl, where he was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
Arkansas finished 7-6 overall in 2022 but was 7-4 in games in which Jefferson started. He did not play against Mississippi State and LSU because of injury.
Jefferson capped the 2022 season with a 417-yard, 4-touchdown performance against Kansas at the Liberty Bowl. He was named MVP of the Razorbacks’ 55-53 triple-overtime win.
As the second three-year team captain in program history, Jefferson started all 12 games in his final season at Arkansas and set multiple records along the way. His career numbers for the Razorbacks include top program marks of 7,911 passing yards, 67 touchdown passes and 88 touchdowns total.
Jefferson also rushed for 1,876 yards at Arkansas.
In the season finale against Missouri, he injured his left knee on the first play of the Razorbacks’ second possession and did not return.
Jacolby Criswell, a transfer from North Carolina, played most of the Missouri game in Jefferson's absence and is expected to return next season. Arkansas has also added a commitment from former Boise State starting quarterback Taylen Green.