Arkansas football lost one of the closest players to a generational talent we have seen in some time

The 2024 season for the Arkansas Razorbacks football program is a big mystery. We know that the last few years have not been near as good as the year head coach Sam Pittman revived the program from the disaster that Chad Norris left behind. But, now Pittman is in a similar position, where he's on the hot seat.

And, he won't have one of the best players in college football to help him again this year. K.J. Jefferson may not seem like one of the best college football players, because he hasn't won yet, but he is by far one of the most talented players in the sport.

One of the best quarterbacks in Arkansas football history had a total of 7,923 yards, 67 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions in five seasons with the Razorbacks, but ultimately decided to transfer to the University of Central Florida.

“When we had our exit meeting, we knew (Jefferson would) explore other colleges… it was understood that it was what he was going to do,” said Arkansas coach Sam Pittman this offseason.

So, it's very apparent that the Razorbacks will be without their best player going into a crucial year for Pittman. But, not just their best player - a guy that is the closest thing to a transcending player in a long time.

"Dual-threat guy," UCF head coach Gus Malzahn said at Big 12 Media Day. "Physically, he's the closest thing to Cam (Newton) that I’ve had. He’s like a running back. He throws a great deep ball. We’re a run, play-action team with emphasis on throwing the ball downfield."

Malzahn coached Newton at Auburn when the two of them won the National Championship, so, he knows a thing or two about transcending players. And, that's exactly what Arkansas will have to go without in 2024.

They did bring in Taylen Green from Boise State and have guys like K.J. Jackson, too, who are in that dual-threat prototype. So, maybe the decision for the two sides to move on could end up being a good one for both. But, we won't know that until the 2024-25 season.

Related: Arkansas HC John Calipari is already going head to head with Mark Pope, his replacement at Kentucky