Enos, Jefferson building good relationship as Razorbacks prepare for spring practice

It appears that Dan Enos, Arkansas' new offensive coordinator, and quarterback KJ Jefferson are in a good place as spring practice begins on Thursday.

Sam Pittman held a Zoom conference with beat reporters on Tuesday and was asked about Jefferson and Enos heading into a big spring for the Hogs.

"I think KJ – you'll ask him, and he'll have a better answer – but I think KJ and Dan have a really good relationship," Pittman said. "I think KJ believes Dan coach him to be not only a better quarterback at Arkansas, but a lot better opportunity to be in the National Football League by understanding pro-type schemes and checks and things of that nature. I think certainly KJ is bought into that. I think they've got a really nice relationship. I knew they would, but you've got to work on those things."

Jefferson opted to return for his third season of starting. He's 16-9 as a starter and been the MVP of both bowl games he's played in. In 2022, Jefferson completed 204 of 300 passes for 2,648 yards, 24 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He also was second on the team in rushing with 158 carries for 640 yards and nine touchdowns.

Pittman hired Enos away from Maryland when Kendal Briles opted to leave for TCU. Pittman talked about a conversation he had with Enos when hiring him.

"As you well know, I’ve had so many jobs," Pittman said. "The terminology of calls, line calls and things of that nature, the ones that the kids make, those would be not a whole lot of change there. That was one of the things Dan asked me when I spoke with him. He said, ‘Hey, what do you think? Do I need to marry my stuff to the last three years?’ I said, ‘Oh hell no. It won’t roll off your tongue if you’re having to remember what to call it versus this is my offense. I know what it is.’

"Nowadays, it’s so different. And it’s both sides of the ball, defense as well. Nowadays, you have so many walks, so much more meeting time than you had before that I believe that, certainly for spring ball, and then I believe you can bring in these eight guys and any transfer in June. I believe you can get a kid ready a lot easier now (with) the rules that they’re giving us than you ever could. They’re going to keep what their terminology is as far as that goes and our kids will have to learn it, which they’ve not seemed to have a problem with it on either side of the ball."

Pittman also had praise for Jefferson and North Carolina transfer Jacolby Criswell, the former Morrilton standout, when talking about players who impressed during the offseason workouts.

"Quarterback, they’ve all done really a good job," Pittman said. "Obviously KJ will stick out there a little bit. And then Criswell, Criswell can run. He’s got an arm, but he can run and we’re excited about that."

Arkansas will practice Thursday, Friday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday (March 16) before spring break.