As Arkansas prepares to usher in Ryan Silverfield’s era, the most watched storyline is the quarterback competition between junior KJ Jackson and sophomore AJ Hill.
Early in fall camp Jackson was handed the early edge after Hill endured a rough start, throwing three interceptions in the first six days and turning the ball over on his first practice snap.
However, Hill’s trajectory shifted dramatically in the final week, as he posted two long touchdown passes to Courtney Crutchfield and avoided any turnovers in the last five sessions.
Jackson’s Arsenal
Jackson, meanwhile, has shown a knack for precision, completing short to intermediate routes with tight chemistry between him and wide receiver Jamari Hawkins as well as tight end Ty Lockwood.
The duo’s connection was on display when Jackson delivered a game‑winning touchdown pass to Lockwood during a drill on Day 6 of camp, underscoring his ability to perform under pressure.
Despite his accuracy, Jackson’s occasional misfires on swing and screen passes have raised questions about his consistency, while Hill’s decision‑making speed remains a focal point for coaches.
A Crucial Scrimmage
During the August 16 scrimmage Jackson threw three scoring passes of over 20 yards to Chris Marshall, Markeylin Batton and Monte Harrison, while Hill’s longest play—a 96‑yard strike to Marshall—set up the first points of the session.
Coaches Ryan Silverfield and Mitch Stewart have repeatedly voiced confidence in both signal‑callers, emphasizing that neither holds a clear advantage and that development will dictate the final rotation.
Key areas for improvement are clear: Jackson must tighten short‑route accuracy, and Hill must cut down on holding the ball, a habit that resulted in eight sacks during the scrimmage.
With morning practices kicking off this week and only three workouts before the second scrimmage on August 22, the next few days will be decisive, especially as media availability ends next weekend, potentially prompting a rotation until a starter emerges.