Arkansas football news: Razorbacks end QB1 guessing game with major announcement
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The Arkansas Razorbacks have settled their quarterback competition ahead of the 2026 season, naming junior KJ Jackson the starter. The program announced Sunday that Jackson beat out Memphis transfer AJ Hill for the job after the two competed throughout spring and fall practices.
Jackson, a Montgomery, Alabama, native, is entering his third season at Arkansas. He has appeared in six career games, including five during the 2025 season. His first start came in last year’s regular-season finale against Missouri, when he completed 33 of 54 passes for 441 yards and three touchdowns. He also contributed 52 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries.
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound left-hander originally joined Arkansas as a four-star prospect in the 2024 recruiting class out of St. James High School. As a true freshman, he appeared in one game and completed all four of his passing attempts for 59 yards.
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Jackson’s experience gave him the advantage over Hill, who joined the Razorbacks from the Tigers this offseason while following head coach Ryan Silverfield and offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey. Hill played two games as a freshman for Memphis, completing 19 of 32 passes for 223 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
The quarterback battle remained competitive through the offseason. Jackson and Hill rotated with the first-team offense during the opening three weeks of fall practice before Arkansas made its decision. Hill will now enter the season as Jackson’s primary backup, while freshman Hank Hendrix has taken the most reps among the third-string quarterbacks during fall practices.
Silverfield previously indicated he wanted the competition resolved before the regular season so the starter could prepare for the Razorbacks early schedule.
Jackson will take the first offensive snap of the season when Arkansas hosts North Alabama on Saturday, Sept. 5, at Razorback Stadium. The game is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. CT on the SEC Network. The Razorbacks will then travel to Salt Lake City to face Utah in Week 2 before hosting Georgia.
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