SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL MEDIA DAYS

July 19, 2023

KJ Jefferson

Arkansas Razorbacks

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We have KJ Jefferson.

Questions.

Q. What do you hope to improve on this season?

KJ JEFFERSON: Just becoming a better passer, stretching the ball down the field, getting the play-makers the ball, letting them make plays, also just owning the offense, going up to the line of scrimmage, checking out the players, stuff like that that is going to help me prepare for the next level.

Q. How seriously did you consider ending your college football career after last season? What were the factors that led to you coming back to Arkansas?

KJ JEFFERSON: The factors that led me coming back was I didn't get to play in some of the big SEC games due to injuries. I just wanted to come back and be able to give my teammates another shot at being able to just go out there and help my teammates win, become successful.

Q. Your career got started three years ago against Missouri. You've traded victories since then. Tough loss this last season. Talk about what that rivalry has been like.

KJ JEFFERSON: It's been really fun. Like you said, it's going back and forth each and every year. It's a big rivalry for us. Also it's a trophy game as well. That just make everything a lot, put pressures on both teams to go out there and execute at a high level.

I mean, it's been really fun. I enjoy the rivalries we have with Missouri. Just looking forward to being a great turnout this year.

Q. Several new transfer quarterbacks in the league this season. What is some advice you would give a guy at your position?

KJ JEFFERSON: I mean, being able to get in, establish a bond, a relationship with your coaching staff first. Also let that bond trickle down to the players and the teammates. Come in and just work and just grind.

The main thing is you want to establish a relationship with even each and every one of your receivers, each and every one of your teammates so when y'all do take the field, y'all have that bond together. And when adversity hits y'all, y'all don't separate, y'all just come together as one.

Q. Being from Mississippi, is there one of those schools when you get a chance to play them you're more fired up?

KJ JEFFERSON: For sure. For sure being from the state of Mississippi, you got Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Those games I always circle on my calendar whenever we get a chance to play them just because I'm from Mississippi and it means a lot more to me.

Q. Obviously a change in offensive coordinator, change the system. Talk us through a little bit what that offense is going to look like schematically, how you see yourself playing in it next year.

KJ JEFFERSON: This system is very pro style. It's a lot slower than how we been in the previous years. Also just being able to -- in this offense, it's a lot on the quarterback. I have a lot more freedom to do different things, audible different plays, stuff like that.

It's fun to be in, and also just a learning tool for me just for the next level.

Q. What do you remember from that crazy finish, that game against Texas A&M last year? How much are you looking forward to trying to get your revenge this year?

KJ JEFFERSON: Thing I remember is the play that I had that still sticks with me to this day that I had down in the red zone. This year just being able to focus on the small details, trust myself, don't second-guess myself. When the time comes, I know I prepared for that moment, don't let the moment be too big for me.

Q. You mentioned earlier a new offensive coordinator. How have you acclimated to the system in comparison to the Kendal Briles offense last year?

KJ JEFFERSON: This system right here requires a lot more film work, also going out there and putting myself in the position, calling different plays, calling different formations. Getting into my mindset and just being able to be, for me, with the plays and formations and everything.

Then also having guys come in and run certain different routes we have that's new from the previous system that we had.

Q. Off the Mississippi question, Oxford right down the road from you. You're going to have a chance to play them. What was it like two years ago going back to play against them? You're 1-1 against Ole Miss. What would it mean to go 2-1 and win the 'series' against the Rebels?

KJ JEFFERSON: It would be a lot. Like you say, Oxford is right down the road from me. I kind of look at that as a homecoming for me, being able to come back and have a lot of my fans and friends and family come out, be able to support me, give me the edge, just being able to come out and support me.

Like you said, a series, trying to come out victorious in that game and we want to see 2-1, like you said.

Q. This fall you guys will travel back to Tuscaloosa to play Alabama. What do you remember about the atmosphere that Saturday two years ago?

KJ JEFFERSON: It was very fun, what college football is about. The atmosphere, their chaotic, fun to play in, the environment, the atmosphere. Also just being able to make sure my guys don't just divide, just come together. Then also just remember that this is the game we love to play. It's only a game. Not let the moment get too big for us.

Q. I know quarterbacks, a lot of you guys know each other. Do you know Joe Milton? What do you think about his game?

KJ JEFFERSON: I don't personally know him that well, but I watched highlights of him, different games that he has played in. Very strong arm, talented. Very intelligent as well. I really admire his game. I mean, I like the way he plays the game at the quarterback position.

Q. You lost some heartbreakers to Auburn earlier in your career. This past season that game was one-sided especially in the second half. What was the significance of that? What did it feel like to be able to get the upper hand over a team that had beaten you earlier in your career?

KJ JEFFERSON: It felt really good just knowing that my teammates and the preparation that we had that week going into the game, that we wanted to dominate the first time we stepped out there on the field, not leaving it to the referees' hands, go out there and play our brand of football.

That's what we did from the start to the finish of the game.

Q. There's a lot of rabid fan bases in the SEC. Arkansas right at the top. Talk about your time in Fayetteville, what makes that a great experience in the SEC.

KJ JEFFERSON: The fan base at Arkansas is just unbelievable. I mean, that's one of the reasons why I made my decision to go to Arkansas, was because of the fan base, the environment, the people. They treat you like family, they treat you like one of their own. I just fell in love with it, it just feel like home to me.

Q. When you want to get better, who would you turn on and watch on film?

KJ JEFFERSON: I look at a lot of guys from NFL standpoint. I look at Jalen Hurts a lot, Patrick Mahomes, I look at him a lot. Joe Burrow as well, from a technical standpoint, his footwork. I feel like he has the best footwork between all the quarterbacks in the league right now.

Just being able to watch those guys, critique those guys, go out in the field, out in the sand, work on different things that help me prepare myself for the upcoming season.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you very much.

KJ JEFFERSON: Thank y'all.