KJ Jackson will start at quarterback for Arkansas in opener

KJ Jackson will start at quarterback for Arkansas, when the Razorbacks open the season Sept. 5 against North Alabama, first-year coach Ryan Silverfield said Sunday. Jackson, who has six career appearances, beat out Memphis transfer AJ Hill for the job.

"Excited about him and his role as QB1 with the future of our program," Silverfield said. "He's done an excellent job. So has AJ Hill, and all of our quarterbacks, leading up to today."

In his lone start against Missouri last season, Jackson completed 11 of 17 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown in the Razorbacks' 31-17 loss. For the season, he finished 33-of-54 passing for 441 yards and three touchdowns.

"It wasn't an easy decision, but a very confident one we made as a staff," Silverfield said. "It wasn't because of lack of talent by the others. It was a great mix of guys competing for that starting role."

After the opener against the FCS Lions, the schedule ramps up for Jackson and the Razorbacks. On Sept. 12, Arkansas will take on No. 21 Utah before opening SEC play on Sept. 19 against No. 3 Georgia.

"Very, very confident moving forward with him as our starter and leader, and have high expectations for all the quarterbacks to continue to compete and battle every single day because it's college football and you never know what could happen," Silverfield said. "But excited to name him the starter and move forward with that, and the rest of the team will rally behind him."

A 6-foot-4, 225-pound sophomore, Jackson is a native of Montgomery, Alabama, who completed all four passes he attempted in 2024, his first season.