KJ Jackson has real opportunity versus Texas A&M

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Arkansas football prepares to play Texas A&M this coming weekend in a highly intriguing game. Because Texas A&M has stumbled out of the gate this season, Aggies-Razorbacks carries more uncertainty than most experts thought going into September. As October arrives, there is real doubt about what we are going to see when Arkansas and A&M put on the pads and go at each other. In the midst of this uncertainty, KJ Jackson has a real opportunity to elevate both himself and his team in the 2026 SEC. 

Sports Illustrated wrote that "The redshirt sophomore was far from perfect. He threw a bad interception in the third quarter on a pass that floated harmlessly into the arms of Dedaunte Scott and was sacked multiple times on plays where he held onto the football for far too long. But there were also a few beautiful throws from Jackson, including several to his top target in Chris Marshall. Marshall had nine receptions for 195 yards and a touchdown on Saturday, scoring his first TD as a Razorback on a slant pass from Jackson. For the most part, Jackson picked apart a defense that held Oklahoma State and star QB Drew Mestemaker to only 10 points in Week 1.

"Big plays for Arkansas' offense that didn't involve Marshall were few and far between, but Jackson spent the rest of the night making mostly smart decisions with the football and taking what the defense gave him. He also had two touchdown runs and showed off the speed he flashed against Texas last year. The confidence of the coaching staff in Jackson was evident based on the fact that, unlike in last week's game against Georgia, the Razorbacks did not put AJ Hill in the game until the final drive when both teams began emptying their benches.

"'We thought he gave us the best option to be our starting quarterback,' Silverfield said of Jackson. 'We have great faith in him and we’re going to rely heavily on him… But I thought KJ did some really nice things today. The first thing I’ll tell you is he’s got to continue to take care of the football. But pretty darn good decision making. Obviously he was a weapon [with his feet.] We’re going to have to continue to find ways for him to have success doing that. But I think tonight, regardless of the drops and all those things, you throw for over 300 yards as a quarterback. I still call him a young quarterback. I think that’s going to give him confidence moving forward, and pleased with his performance.'"

With Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed struggling, KJ Jackson might actually be the better quarterback in this game. We don't know that, but who would have thought Jackson even had a possibility of being the better QB when this season began? It's a chance for Jackson to rewrite not only his story, but the story of the 2026 Hogs. Let's see what happens.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos