FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It may not be July yet, but the sweltering heat has already settled over Arkansas—and it doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere soon.
As the Razorbacks gear up for summer milestones like SEC Media Days and the start of fall camp, there’s no uncertainty about who will be leading the offense.
Redshirt senior quarterback Taylen Green is back after a strong debut season in Fayetteville. He completed 60% of his passes for 3,154 yards and 15 touchdowns, while also rushing for 602 yards and eight more scores.
Now, with veteran offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino calling the shots, Green has a chance to take the next step and become a true star. Known for his success developing quarterbacks, Petrino’s influence is expected to elevate Green’s game even further.
Many analysts already rank Green in the upper tier of SEC quarterbacks—and his performance this fall could push him even higher.
Redshirt senior quarterback Taylen Green enters the 2025 season brimming with confidence, a noticeable shift from where he stood just a year ago. During spring drills, Green praised the strides he’s made under offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, crediting the coach’s influence for his growing command of the Arkansas offense.
“I would say my confidence level is higher because it’s my second year in the offense,” Green said this spring. “Just where I was last year, my eyes were like, ‘Oh,’ with the offense and getting on the same page with Petrino, and the different plays in the run game and different responsibilities I had to do.”
Green played through a knee injury in the latter half of last season, stemming from a low hit by Tennessee defensive lineman Omar Norman-Lott on Oct. 5. Despite the setback, he capped the year with a standout performance in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, earning MVP honors in a win over Texas Tech.
Now fully healthy and firmly entrenched as the Razorbacks’ leader, Green is focused on pulling Arkansas out of its recent 6-6 rut. With a favorable early schedule, he’s poised to post even bigger numbers in 2025.
Arkansas opens the season against FCS opponent Alabama A\&M, which had one of the weakest pass defenses at any level last year. That could mean a comfortable win and a stat-padding debut for Green.
In Week 2, Arkansas State visits War Memorial Stadium with hopes of an upset. But Green’s dual-threat ability should pose major problems for a Red Wolves defense that surrendered 468 yards per game in 2024.
Week 3 brings a tougher challenge in Ole Miss, despite the Rebels losing key pieces from a defense that ranked No. 2 in the FBS last season in scoring defense (14.4 points per game). How Green performs against a reloading SEC defense will be closely watched.
The Razorbacks then travel to Memphis—a potential trap game if they look ahead to their Week 5 matchup with Notre Dame. The Tigers fielded a solid defense last year, ranking fifth in the AAC in total defense (369 yards allowed per game) and fourth in scoring (23.8 points).
With a blend of confidence, experience, and Petrino’s guidance, Green is well-positioned to turn early-season opportunity into momentum—and potentially, something much bigger for Arkansas this fall.
Backing up Taylen Green is redshirt freshman KJ Jackson, a promising young quarterback who enters 2025 as the Razorbacks’ No. 2 option under center. A former top-15 passer in the 2024 recruiting class, Jackson spent last season buried on the depth chart behind Malachi Singleton and saw limited action.
There isn’t much film on Jackson yet, but he did make the most of his brief opportunity in Arkansas’ 77-0 blowout win over UAPB last season. Late in the game, he led a clean, efficient drive—completing all four of his passes for 59 yards.
At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Jackson brings ideal size and a strong arm. He was a standout at the high school level, throwing 130 career touchdown passes—third-most in Alabama High School Athletic Association history—and earning a 4-star rating as a recruit.
Joining him in the quarterback room is Florida State transfer Trever Jackson, another athletic dual-threat talent. Though he has yet to see meaningful college snaps, Jackson adds depth and upside to the Razorbacks’ QB corps.
While Green is the clear starter, both Jacksons give Arkansas intriguing options should their number be called this fall.
Behind starter Taylen Green, Arkansas has assembled a quarterback room full of raw talent and long-term potential—headlined by former 4-star recruits KJ Jackson and Trever Jackson.
Trever Jackson, a Florida State transfer, is an intriguing developmental prospect with a strong pedigree and athletic upside. The 6-foot-3, 187-pound quarterback has completed just one pass in his college career—coming against Charleston Southern—but he fits the mold of a modern dual-threat quarterback and shows promise in a system designed to elevate quarterbacks.
A standout at Jones High School in Winter Garden, Florida, Jackson totaled 3,636 yards of offense and 39 touchdowns over his final two seasons, including multiple 100-yard rushing games. His blend of speed, arm strength, and playmaking ability caught the attention of offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino—whose stamp of approval speaks volumes to head coach Sam Pittman.
“Petrino and I sat in there and we watched \[Trever Jackson’s film] together,” Pittman said this spring. “If Bobby Petrino wants a guy, especially at the position he coaches, that’s what you should do… He’s got a quick release, a strong arm, he’s very, very good looking guy, great family. I think he’ll fit in well with the team.”
Pittman also noted that Jackson is adapting quickly to the playbook and culture, aided by NCAA rule changes that now allow more summer interaction between players and coaches. “We can do so much more now than we ever could in a summer legally,” Pittman said. “It allows our guys that we get in June to have an opportunity to play for us because of the rule change.”
While Green firmly holds the reins of the offense heading into 2025, Trever Jackson offers long-term value and could emerge as a viable contender for the starting job once Green departs. His combination of raw tools and Petrino’s mentorship make him a name to watch down the road.
True freshman Grayson Wilson, another promising signal caller, is expected to redshirt this fall. With veterans ahead of him on the depth chart, Wilson will use the year to absorb the offense, adjust to the college game, and prepare for the future without being rushed into action.
True freshman quarterback Grayson Wilson may be the youngest in Arkansas’ quarterback room, but he’s already earning praise for his maturity and work ethic.
The 6-foot-3, 211-pound North Little Rock native was Arkansas’ first commitment in the 2025 recruiting class, staying loyal throughout a turbulent stretch that saw multiple changes at offensive coordinator. That poise and character have carried over into his early days on campus.
Head coach Sam Pittman has taken note of Wilson’s steady progression since enrolling early.
“Grayson is getting some reps in there,” Pittman said during spring practice. “Grayson’s actually improving, as well. But I like him. He’s talented. He’s what we thought we’d get when we signed him.”
Described as a knowledgeable and hard-working player, Wilson is benefiting from early exposure to Bobby Petrino’s system and the veteran quarterbacks ahead of him. While he’s not expected to see the field this fall, the plan is for Wilson to redshirt, giving him valuable time to develop without pressure.
With a solid frame, high football IQ, and a level-headed approach, Wilson is positioning himself as a key piece for Arkansas’ future under center.
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