KJ Jefferson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
KJ Jefferson

Jefferson with Arkansas in 2023
Position	Quarterback
Class	Senior
Personal information
Born:	(2001-05-20) May 20, 2001 (age 24) Sardis, Mississippi, U.S.
Height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight	266 lb (121 kg)
Career history
College	Arkansas (2019–2023) UCF (2024)
Bowl games	2022 Outback Bowl (MVP) 2022 Liberty Bowl (MVP)
High school	North Panola (Sardis)
Stats at ESPN.com

Kenneth Dewayne "KJ" Jefferson Jr. (born May 20, 2001) is an American football quarterback. He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks and UCF Knights.

Early Life in Football

KJ Jefferson grew up in Sardis, Mississippi. He went to North Panola High School, where he was a star player. During his high school career, he threw for over 9,500 yards and ran for over 2,900 yards. He scored a total of 143 touchdowns. Because he was such a talented player, he was considered a "four-star prospect." This means he was one of the top high school players in the country. After high school, he decided to play college football at the University of Arkansas.

College Football Journey

KJ Jefferson played college football for five seasons, first at Arkansas and then at UCF. He became known for his strong arm and ability to run with the ball.

Starting at Arkansas (2019-2023)

2019 Season: Learning the Ropes

When KJ first joined the Arkansas Razorbacks in 2019, he was a backup quarterback. He got his first chance to start a game against LSU. He completed 14 passes for 197 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns. He then took a "redshirt" year, which means he could practice with the team but play in only a few games, saving a year of eligibility.

2020 Season: Stepping Up

In 2020, KJ was still a backup, but he played in five games and started one when the main quarterback was injured. He threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns, and also ran for two touchdowns.

2021 Season: Becoming a Starter

The 2021 season was a big one for KJ. He became the starting quarterback for Arkansas and played in all twelve games. He helped the team have a great season, winning eight games and four in their conference (the SEC). They even beat Texas.

Arkansas also won three important "trophy games" that year:

• The Southwest Classic against Texas A&M
• The Battle for the Boot against LSU
• The Battle Line Rivalry against Missouri

It was the first time in the team's history they won all three in one season! KJ then led Arkansas to a big win in the 2022 Outback Bowl against Penn State, where he was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP). For the season, he threw for 2,676 yards and 21 touchdowns, and also ran for 664 yards and six touchdowns.

2022 Season: Another Strong Year

KJ continued as the starting quarterback in 2022. He led Arkansas to seven wins. Many of their losses were by very small margins. He helped the team win their second straight bowl game, beating Kansas in an exciting 2022 Liberty Bowl. KJ was again named the MVP of the bowl game. He threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 130 yards and two more touchdowns in that game.

2023 Season: Final Year at Arkansas

In 2023, KJ played his final season for Arkansas. He passed for 2,107 yards and 19 touchdowns. He also ran for 447 yards and two touchdowns. After this season, KJ decided to transfer to another school. He left Arkansas as one of their best quarterbacks ever, holding records for the most career passing yards, passing touchdowns, and completions.

Moving to UCF (2024)

2024 Season: New Team

On January 1, 2024, KJ Jefferson announced he would be transferring to UCF. He started the season as the quarterback for the UCF Knights. However, during the season, he was benched in favor of another quarterback and did not play again for UCF.

College Statistics

Here's a look at KJ Jefferson's college football statistics: