Arkansas Razorbacks Face Quarterback Uncertainty Heading into Spring Practice

New head coach Ryan Silverfield has no clear answer at the most important position on the team.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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As the Arkansas Razorbacks prepare for spring football practice, the biggest question facing the team is who will be the starting quarterback. With little game experience among the top candidates - KJ Jackson, AJ Hill, and Braeden Fuller - new head coach Ryan Silverfield admits he has no definitive answer heading into the offseason workouts. The Razorbacks are coming off a disappointing season and need to find a leader at the quarterback position to help turn the program around.

Why it matters

The quarterback is the most important position on a football team, and Arkansas has struggled to find consistency and production from that spot in recent years. Whichever player emerges as the starter will have a major impact on the team's fortunes in 2026 as Silverfield looks to rebuild the Razorbacks into a contender in the SEC.

The details

KJ Jackson saw limited action at the end of last season, but did not stand out in losses to Texas and Missouri. AJ Hill and Braeden Fuller have never played in an SEC game, so their abilities at the college level are unknown. Silverfield and his staff will use spring practice to evaluate the quarterbacks and try to determine who gives the team the best chance to win, but the coach admits it's unlikely they will have a definitive answer by the end of the spring.

  • The Arkansas Razorbacks will begin spring football practice in the coming weeks.
  • Silverfield is expected to address the quarterback situation in a pre-spring press conference this week.

The players

Ryan Silverfield

The new head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks, tasked with rebuilding the program and finding a starting quarterback.

KJ Jackson

A quarterback who saw limited action for the Razorbacks at the end of the 2025 season.

AJ Hill

A quarterback who has never played in an SEC game for the Razorbacks.

Braeden Fuller

A quarterback who has never played in an SEC game for the Razorbacks.

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What they’re saying

“Forget all the measurables and how guys look on the spring practice field when it starts in a couple of weeks. That's not even the biggest question around Arkansas football heading into football practices with a completely new coaching staff and roster.”

— Ryan Silverfield, Head Coach, Arkansas Razorbacks (Sports Illustrated)

What’s next

Silverfield and his staff will use spring practice to evaluate the quarterbacks and try to determine who gives the team the best chance to win, but the coach admits it's unlikely they will have a definitive answer by the end of the spring.

The takeaway

The quarterback position is the biggest question mark for the Arkansas Razorbacks as they head into the 2026 season under new head coach Ryan Silverfield. With little game experience among the top candidates, Silverfield faces the challenge of finding a leader at the most important position on the team to help turn the program around.