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Transfer rumors are swirling surrounding All-SEC quarterback KJ Jefferson. The Arkansas signal caller is reportedly discussing a move out of Fayetteville.
While the media runs with the college football gossip, even listing a potential frontrunner to land his services, Jefferson is telling folks to pump the brakes.
A preseason all-conference selection, Jefferson has amassed nearly 8,000 passing yards as a Razorback. A true dual threat option out of the backfield, he’s totaled 21 career rushing scores and 67 touchdowns through the air.
He posted back-to-back 2,500/600-yard seasons in ’21 and ’22, though his production fell off a bit this past year.
With one year of eligibility remaining, noise of a possible transfer is growing louder.
Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson is expected to enter the transfer portal, multiple sources with knowledge of Jefferson’s plans tell 247Sports.
Whoever were to land the quarterback would get a 6-3, 245-pound bulldozer with a ton of college experience. Some believe they’ve already pinpointed his next destination based on a prior Arkansas relationship.
South Carolina hired Dowell Loggains as its offensive coordinator before the 2023 campaign, bringing him over from the Razorbacks’ coaching staff. Previously an NFL OC, he proved effective in boosting the production of starting signal caller Spencer Rattler.
Unfortunately, defensive struggles and a lack of a consistent rushing attack limited the Gamecocks, who went 5-7 in Year 3 under Shane Beamer.
With Rattler likely on his way out, there is a need at the quarterback position.
South Carolina has a pair of former four-star passers on the roster in LaNorris Sellers and Luke Doty. Doty, however, has since moved to wideout and Sellers just finished up his freshman year.
Adding Jefferson could certainly prove beneficial.
And many believe that will be the case given his previous ties to Loggains, though Beamer will have to manage an interesting dynamic in the QB room should Jefferson ultimately transfer.
There’s the obvious connection with Dowell Loggains for KJ Jefferson + him being a fit in South Carolina’s ’24 scheme. Think more seasoned version of LaNorris Sellers, who won’t be giving up QB1 easily, btw. Gamecocks not only team in the mix.
— Brad Crawford (@BCrawford247) November 29, 2023
But as media members continue to push the narrative, the Arkansas quarterback is singing a different tune.
KJ Jefferson pumps brakes on transfer rumors.
Jefferson posted a message on his Instagram story saying, “I haven’t made my decision yet!!”
KJ Jefferson just posted this to his instagram story 👀 pic.twitter.com/mfcOfV59Ii
— John Nabors (@BuzzJohnNabors) November 29, 2023
That doesn’t necessarily rule out the option to transfer, but it should lend some comfort to Razorback fans.
Jefferson finds himself in an interesting situation heading into 2024. Should he remain at Arkansas, he’d be operating under a new offensive coordinator in Bobby Petrino, who’s had a ton of success in leading high-powered offensive attacks.
Petrino replaces the fired OC Dan Enos, who was let go midseason as the team struggled to score points.
Petrino certainly wouldn’t be the worst play caller to have at the college level given his past history of success. Of course, Jefferson could also start fresh at a new program, albeit with a familiar face on the sidelines in Loggains.
Other programs are said to be in the mix should Jefferson choose to enter the portal, with many allowing him to stay put in the SEC.
He’ll be a name to keep an eye on this offseason. Time will tell what he decides to do with his future.