KJ Jackson has been named the starting quarterback for Arkansas' 2026 season, a decision announced by head coach Ryan Silverfield. Jackson, who appeared in five games last season, beat out Memphis transfer AJ Hill for the role.
The Decision
Silverfield, in comments reported by com, praised Jackson's work ethic and leadership. "KJ Jackson is one of the hardest workers on this roster. He's been tremendous," Silverfield said at SEC Media Days. "Since the day I got the job, he was asking me how quickly he can learn the offense. And this was even before he was coming back, he would want to go over protections. He's so intelligent and he works his tail off. He cares so much about this team and is a leader in the locker room."
Silverfield said the decision came down to situational football, according to the report. Offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey informed Jackson of the decision.
Jackson appeared in five games for the Razorbacks last season, completing 1 percent of his passes for 441 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. He also added two rushing touchdowns on the year. Over his Arkansas career, Jackson has completed 8 percent of his passes for 500 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
Jackson's most notable performance came in a 52-37 loss at Texas, where he completed passes for 206 yards and led two touchdown drives. He also started the season finale against Missouri, completing 11 of 17 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown in a 31-17 loss.
Jackson, a 6-foot left-hander from Montgomery, Alabama, redshirted his first two years at Arkansas and sat behind former quarterback Taylen Green.
The Competition
Jackson won the job over AJ Hill, who transferred from Memphis and followed Silverfield to Arkansas. Hill is a former 4-star prospect from Warner Robins, Georgia, and was one of the highest-rated signees in Memphis history. In limited duty last season, Hill completed 13 of 25 passes for 175 yards with one touchdown and one interception while redshirting behind Brendon Lewis.
The competition between Jackson and Hill began when both joined the roster, with Silverfield noting that the decision came down to situational football. "He's so intelligent and he works his tail off. He cares so much about this team and is a leader in the locker room," Silverfield said.
Offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey, who held the same role at Memphis, has been calling plays for the Razorbacks since joining the staff.
Jackson's Path
Jackson, a 6-foot-4 left-hander from Montgomery, Alabama, arrived at Arkansas with a notable high school résumé. As a senior at Saint James School in 2023, he threw for 2,951 yards and 43 touchdowns while also rushing for 665 yards and 14 more scores. During his junior season, Jackson led Saint James to a 13-2 record and a 3A Alabama state championship, passing for 2,813 yards and 48 total touchdowns.
After arriving at Arkansas, Jackson redshirted his first two seasons and sat behind former quarterback Taylen Green. Last year, he appeared in five games, completing 33 of 54 passes for 441 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions, according to reported stats. He holds a 8 percent career completion rate with 500 yards, three touchdowns)Skip.
Jackson, a 6-foot-4 left-hander from Montgomery, Alabama, said he and Hill battled throughout camp. "We've been battling all camp and made each other better," Jackson said, per the report.
The Competition
Hill, a Memphis transfer who followed Silverfield to Arkansas, was a 4-star prospect and considered one of the highest-rated signees in Memphis history. Silverfield said the decision came down to situational football, where Jackson had a slight edge over Hill.
Jackson's path to the starting role included a redshirt year after committing to Arkansas. He sat behind former quarterback Taylen Green during his first two seasons with the Razorbacks. His most notable action came late last year, when he completed 33 of 54 passes 1 percent) for 441 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions across five games. In the fourth quarter of a 32-31 win at Texas on Nov. 22, Jackson completed 16 of 29 passes and led two touchdown drives. He also started the season finale against the Tigers, completing 11 of 17 passes for 126 yards and one touchdown in a 31-17 loss.
High School Background
Jackson, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound product of Saint James School in Montgomery, Alabama, was a 4-star recruit. As a senior in 2023, he passed for 2,951 yards and 43 touchdowns while rushing for 665 yards and 14 more scores. A year earlier, as a junior, he led Saint James to a 13-2 record and a 3A Alabama state championship, passing for 2,813 yards and 48 total touchdowns.
He redshirted his first two seasons at Arkansas, sitting behind former starter Taylen Green.
The Competition
Jackson won the job over AJ Hill, a former 4-star prospect from Memphis who followed Silverfield to Arkansas. Hill, 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, completed 24 of 47 passes 1 percent) for 290 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in limited duty last season while redshirting behind Brendon Lewis. Silverfield noted that the decision came down to a slight edge for Jackson in protections, a nod to his preparation.
2026 Schedule
Arkansas opens the 2026 season against North Alabama on Sept. 5 at 3:15 m. CT on the SEC Network, followed by a home game against Utah before beginning SEC play at home against Georgia. The Razorbacks travel to Auburn on Nov. 7, a homecoming of sorts for Jackson, who grew up in Montgomery.