Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1506275
6 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 8.27.2023 MATT JONES HAWGS SPORTS NETWORK FAYETTEVILLE — KJ Jefferson's jersey number tells the story of his importance to the Arkansas football team. No player is more vital to the Razorbacks' success than their quarterback who wears No. 1. He is QB1 in every sense of the phrase. at was evident last year when Arkansas went 7-3 and averaged 38 points with Jefferson playing at moderate to full health, but 0-3 with a per-game average of 15 points when he was injured. Jefferson played through pain against Liberty and sat out games against Mississippi State and LSU. e Razorbacks recruited more than 40 transfers or freshmen to join the team this year, but no commitment was bigger than Jefferson's pledge to play a fih college season at Arkansas last December. If there was ever any doubt about who commands the Razorbacks' locker room, it has been erased this offseason. "He is our leader, both on the offense and the defense," Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said. "On one side of the ball, obviously, a lot of times you'll have leaders who are on that side of the ball. KJ is our team leader." Linebacker Chris Paul said Jefferson has been a bonafide leader since he first stepped foot on campus in 2021, the year Jefferson took over as the full-time starter. "KJ was always the type of guy that if you have any questions about anything, you go to him and talk to him or even just get to know him more," Paul said. "As time went on, it got better. KJ was always the type of vocal leader. If he says anything, the team is going to listen, not just the offense. e whole team is going to corral around him and we let him know that we have his back no matter what is going on." Signifying his importance to the team, See EYES, Page 8 KJ Jefferson | Arkansas Quarterback File Photo ALL EYES ON QB1 JEFFERSON'S RETURN CRUCIAL TO HOGS' SUCCESS IN 2023