When new leadership takes over a college football program, one of the first, and loudest, questions always centers around the quarterback position. That’s exactly where things stand in Fayetteville as Ryan Silverfield addressed the media about the current state of the Arkansas quarterback room.
Razorbacks Enter 2026 With a True Quarterback Competition
In comments shared by Razorbacks beat page Pig Trail Nation on Twitter, Silverfield made it clear there will be no shortcuts in naming a starter.
“Everybody wants a proven (QB) that has played a lot of football. It is a wide open competition. I believe (the QB competition) will go all the way through August.”
“Everybody wants a proven (QB) that has played a lot of football, it is a wide open competition. I believe (the QB competition) will go all the way through August.” - Ryan Silverfield meeting with the media today and talking QBs #WPS pic.twitter.com/1oer8nFDDK
— Pig Trail Nation (@PigTrailNation) February 17, 2026
No surprises there.
When a new coach steps into a program, especially one undergoing roster transition, competition is expected. In fact, it’s necessary. Silverfield hasn’t just preached competition inside the quarterback room. It’s been a theme echoed across the entire roster since he arrived. Iron sharpens iron, and in today’s college football landscape, jobs aren’t handed out, they’re earned.
Of course, in a perfect world, Arkansas would still have an experienced, proven starter like Taylen Green leading the offense. Experience at the Power Four level is invaluable. But roster turnover is part of the modern game, and Silverfield understands the hand he’s been dealt.
Rather than dwell on what isn’t there, he’s embracing what is: four quarterbacks, four different backgrounds, and four legitimate chances to win the job.
Breaking Down the QB Contenders
KJ Jackson
The most “Arkansas” experienced of the group, Jackson enters his third season with the program and is heading into his redshirt sophomore year. He knows the culture, the expectations, and what it means to wear the Razorback logo. Familiarity with the building and teammates could give him an edge, but familiarity alone won’t win the job.
AJ Hill
The redshirt freshman followed Silverfield from University of Memphis, where Silverfield originally recruited him. That prior relationship could prove important. Hill already understands Silverfield’s offensive philosophy and terminology, which may allow him to play faster early in camp.
Braeden Fuller
Fuller may have the most actual game experience of the group, even if it didn’t come at the Division I level. The transfer from Angelo State University has live reps under his belt, and sometimes experience playing real snaps, regardless of level, matters when the lights come on.
Hank Hendrix
The wildcard. The reclassified true freshman represents the unknown upside every program covets. Young, hungry, and entering with no preconceived depth chart limitations, Hendrix will have every opportunity to compete like the rest.
Silverfield’s statement that the battle could stretch “all the way through August” tells you everything you need to know. This won’t be decided in spring ball. It won’t be decided off reputation. It will be decided on consistency, command of the offense, leadership, and who performs when the pressure mounts.
And that’s refreshing.
Too often quarterback competitions are labeled “open” in the spring only for the writing to quietly be on the wall. Silverfield addressed it head-on, early in the process, reinforcing what he’s been preaching since day one: competition makes or breaks players.
At the end of the day, all four quarterbacks have a real opportunity. No one is being crowned. No one is being counted out. They’ll compete. And when August closes, one of them will have earned the right to lead Arkansas onto the field.
Until then, the message from the head coach is simple, go win the job.