FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Sam Pittman on Tuesday said the Razorbacks have “a lot of depth chart battles” entering the start of spring practices on Thursday.
At the top of the list: Quarterback.
Pittman noted there are five players vying for the starting job that was largely held by record-setter KJ Jefferson the last three seasons. But returnee Jacolby Criswell and Boise State transfer Taylen Green are the top players for the role.
In limited time in 2023, Criswell, who transferred to Arkansas from North Carolina ahead of last season, threw for 143 yards and 3 touchdowns. He saw extended time in the season finale against Missouri after Jefferson was injured.
Criswell (6-1, 232) completed 12 of 20 passes for 96 yards and 1 touchdown in the game.
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“He’s got a strong arm,” said Pittman, who added he hopes Criswell continues to grow in his vocal leadership. “I think that’s the thing. He’s a guy you can count on work ethic-wise.
“He’s got a strong arm, and it’ll be a battle there with those guys.”
A December commitment out of the NCAA transfer portal, Green (6-6, 223) completed 59.4% of his passes and totaled more than 3,700 yards through the air in his final 2 seasons with the Broncos.
He recorded 25 touchdown passes against 15 interceptions, and also rushed for 1,026 yards and 19 scores.
“He’s outgoing, got a personality,” Pittman said. “He says what he’s thinking, but not too much, if you know what I mean. He’s got a lot of respect from him coming in here from the team, and obviously from the coaches. But his work ethic [stands out].”
In Pittman’s opinion, Green will enter spring ball with a bit of a leg up on others at the position.
“He ran a team [at Boise State],” Pittman added. “It may come a little bit more natural right now for him than everybody else at this point.”
Austin Ledbetter, a former pitcher for the Razorbacks who transitioned to football as a walk-on, received praise from Pittman for his leadership qualities.
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Pittman believes Arkansas has “something special” for the future in freshman quarterback KJ Jackson, who stands 6-4 and 223 pounds. A former 4-star prospect by 247 Sports and Rivals, Jackson will wear No. 15.
The quarterback battle could be decided by the end of spring drills.
“I think we can [do it],” Pittman said. “I think with some of the things we’re doing — 7-on-7 — it’s going to be a lengthier period, more reps. We need to. We have to to see who can throw and who can catch, for that matter. And then we need work in the secondary because we did bring in three new guys in the secondary, too.
“That period has usually been 12 minutes. We went to 20 [because we’re] trying to make sure everybody gets the right amount of reps so we can get the evaluations on both the quarterback and receivers, and the safeties and the corners.
“I’m excited to get going with that battle.”