KJ Jefferson QB UCF | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
KJ Jefferson QB UCF
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: Dual Threat QB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/20/2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.69 seconds (78%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 23.6 DOB: 05/20/2001 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: Dual Threat QB | |
| Last Updated: 09/20/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.69 seconds (78%*) | |
| Age: 23.6 DOB: 05/20/2001 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 79.0 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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75% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Release Speed: |
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69% |
| Short Passing: |
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62% |
| Medium Passing: |
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63% |
| Long Passing: |
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82% |
| Rush/Scramble: |
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66% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#302
Position rank:
#20
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| College Games: 47 College Snaps: 2872 | ||
ESPN RATING: 80/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 90/100
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Ovr Rank:
#5
College Combine Results
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Michael Pratt - Tulane |
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52% |
| Clayton Tune - Houston |
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51% |
| Kellen Mond - Texas A&M |
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48% |
Draft Profile: Bio
KJ Jefferson, born May 20, 2001, in Sardis, Mississippi, is a quarterback prospect with an impressive collegiate career. He began at Arkansas in 2019, redshirting his first year after appearing in just three games. Jefferson's breakthrough came in 2021 when he took over as the Razorbacks' full-time starter, leading the team to a 9-4 record and earning Outback Bowl MVP honors. That season, he threw for 2,676 yards and 21 touchdowns while rushing for a team-high 664 yards and six scores, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities.Jefferson's career at Arkansas was marked by consistent improvement and record-breaking performances. In 2022, he posted career-highs with a 68% completion rate, 2,648 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, and 9 rushing scores. He capped off the season with another bowl MVP performance in the Liberty Bowl. Over his Arkansas career, Jefferson set school records for career passing yards (7,923), passing touchdowns (67), and completions (584). His 2023 season saw a slight dip in production, finishing with 2,107 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions as Arkansas struggled to a 4-8 record.
Following the 2023 season, Jefferson made the decision to transfer to UCF for his final year of eligibility in 2024. Throughout his college career, Jefferson has been recognized for his leadership, serving as a three-time team captain at Arkansas. His accolades include appearances on multiple award watch lists, including the 2023 Manning Award, Davey O'Brien Award, and Maxwell Award. Standing at 6'3" and weighing 247 pounds, Jefferson brings an imposing physical presence to the quarterback position as he looks to boost his draft stock in his final collegiate season.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Rare size and strength for the position at nearly 250 lbs, extremely difficult to bring down in the pocket
- Powerful arm capable of driving throws into tight windows when mechanics are sound
- Effective designed runner with good linear speed and burst for his size
- Shows poise under pressure and ability to navigate the pocket while keeping eyes downfield
- Flashes touch on deep balls and fades, can layer throws over linebackers
- Demonstrates good decision-making and ball security as a game manager
- Natural leader who was a three-time captain at Arkansas
- Productive college career with over 7,900 passing yards and 67 touchdowns
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lacks elite arm talent and elasticity to consistently make off-platform throws
- Mechanics and footwork can be inconsistent, impacting accuracy and timing
- Not a quick processor from read to read in progression concepts
- Can be slow to identify and react to blitzes pre-snap
- Limited mobility and elusiveness as a runner despite good size and speed
Scouting Report: Summary
KJ Jefferson fits the mold as a developmental QB2/3 at the next level. His plus size and arm talent give him a solid foundation, but he needs significant work on his mechanics and processing speed to stick on an NFL roster. Jefferson's ability to drive the ball downfield and stand tall in the pocket are NFL-caliber traits, but his elongated release and inconsistent footwork will need refinement.His best fit would be in a vertical passing attack that utilizes play-action and designed QB runs to maximize his skill set. Jefferson's experience in a pro-style offense and ability to protect the football should ease his transition, but he'll need time to adjust to the speed of NFL defenses. His leadership qualities and toughness are intangibles that will appeal to QB coaches looking to mold a developmental prospect.
While Jefferson is likely to go undrafted, his physical tools and collegiate production make him a priority free agent target. He profiles as a practice squad candidate in year one with the potential to develop into a backup-caliber signal-caller. If he can clean up his mechanics and improve his processing speed, Jefferson has the raw tools to potentially outperform his draft position long-term.
Written By:
Andrew Moore (The American)
KJ Jefferson percentiles vs other Quarterbacks (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate KJ Jefferson (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
490.3
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
31.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.