Arkansas Turns to KJ Jackson Over Taylen Green Against Missouri

A New Era Dawns in Fayetteville: Arkansas Turns to KJ Jackson at Quarterback

For the first time in over two years, the Arkansas Razorbacks will have a new starting quarterback under center. After a season marred by a nine-game losing streak and inconsistent play from veteran Taylen Green, interim head coach Bobby Petrino has made the bold decision to turn to freshman KJ Jackson for the season finale against the Missouri Tigers.

The Decline of Taylen Green

Taylen Green's tenure as the Razorbacks' starter has come to an abrupt halt. After starting 24 consecutive games, the redshirt senior's recent performance forced Petrino's hand. In the last five games, Green has thrown for just one touchdown and six interceptions, including a dismal showing against LSU and Texas where he combined for zero touchdowns, three interceptions, and only 283 passing yards. Despite a solid overall statistical line this season—2,655 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, plus 773 rushing yards and eight scores—Green's inability to protect the football in crucial moments has been the team's Achilles' heel.

Compounding matters, Green was dealing with a minor hamstring injury, which he picked up during the loss to Texas. Although he was cleared medically, his performance had already fallen below the threshold needed to secure his job. The decision to bench Green was not only about health but also about injecting new life into a stagnant offense.

KJ Jackson's Emergence

Enter KJ Jackson, a redshirt freshman from Montgomery, Alabama. Jackson's opportunity came in the third quarter of the Texas game, when he replaced Green and immediately showed flashes of the potential that made him a highly touted recruit. In his limited action against the Longhorns, a top-20 team, Jackson completed 16 of 29 passes for 206 yards and a touchdown. He also added a 12-yard rushing touchdown and finished with a respectable 55% completion rate. While he did fumble on a sack that led to a Texas touchdown, his poise and ability to make plays with both his arm and legs offered a glimmer of hope for the Razorbacks' offense.

Why the Change Now?

With the Razorbacks sitting at 2-9 and 0-7 in the SEC, the stakes for this game are purely about building for the future. Petrino, who has been adamant about avoiding quarterback rotations, made it clear that he would prefer to ride a hot hand. However, after witnessing Jackson's performance in relief, he decided to give the freshman his first career start. "I've never really been a huge believer in that," Petrino said of rotating quarterbacks, but circumstances dictated a change.

This game marks the final collegiate appearance for Taylen Green. After transferring from Boise State, Green played 24 games for Arkansas and leaves a legacy of production. He passed for 3,154 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024 and added over 1,300 yards of total offense this season. His departure is a significant moment, but one that Petrino hopes will signal a new beginning for the program.

What to Expect Against Missouri

Missouri enters the contest with a 7-4 record and a 3-4 mark in the SEC, making them a formidable opponent. However, the Tigers have had their own struggles, and Arkansas will look to capitalize on Jackson's mobility and arm strength. Expect the Razorbacks to design plays that utilize Jackson's athleticism, potentially incorporating more read-option and designed runs. While Jackson is still learning, his fresh legs and arm could catch a Missouri defense that has been vulnerable at times this season.

"We want to see what KJ can do with the first-team offense for a full game. He showed us something against Texas, and it's time to give him the reins." — Bobby Petrino, Interim Head Coach, Arkansas Razorbacks

The Road Ahead

The quarterback change is more than just a one-game adjustment for the Razorbacks. It represents a pivotal moment in the program's trajectory. With a new head coach likely to be hired this offseason, the performance of KJ Jackson in this game will be closely scrutinized by the incoming staff. A strong showing could solidify his status as the frontrunner for the starting job next year, while a lackluster performance might open the door for other quarterbacks in the pipeline.

For now, all eyes in Fayetteville will be on KJ Jackson as he takes the biggest stage of his young career. The stage is set for a potential breakout performance as the Razorbacks look to end the season on a high note and build momentum for the future.