Arkansas football received an immediate jolt of stability and optimism on Ryan Silverfield’s first official day as head coach. On Thursday, two of the program’s most important young stars, redshirt freshman Quarterback KJ Jackson and breakout edge rusher Quincy Rhodes Jr., stood alongside their teammates and announced they will return for the 2026 season.
In an era where new coaching hires often spark roster uncertainty and transfer portal exits, the Razorbacks instead got the opposite: two foundational talents publicly committing to stay. For a team entering a transition phase, Jackson and Rhodes choosing to remain is a major statement about Silverfield’s early impact.
A Vote of Confidence in the New Silverfield Era
Jackson said the team meeting with Silverfield lit an immediate spark. The new head coach’s message, energy, and intensity resonated throughout the locker room, enough that players were discussing it long after the meeting ended.
"“That was a big thing, him talking about the culture and being all in,” Jackson said. “The guys love that, and I’m so excited to get to work.”"KJ Jackson
The young quarterback added that several teammates stopped by his home later to talk more about the direction Silverfield laid out and this is an encouraging sign that the team is quickly buying into the new vision.
Though he saw limited action this season, Jackson flashed real potential in key late-year games:
- vs. Texas: 16-of-29, 206 yards, 1 passing TD, 1 rushing TD
- vs. Missouri: 11-of-17, 126 yards, 1 TD
The Hogs got a glimpse of what he could become and with a full offseason as possibly QB1, he can surprise many going into 2026. Keeping him in the building gives Silverfield a crucial building block on offense.
Quincy Rhodes Returns After NFL Consideration
On the other side of the ball, Rhodes’ decision may be even more impactful. The junior defensive lineman emerged as one of Arkansas’ most productive defenders in 2025, starting 11 games and racking up:
- 44 total tackles
- 15.5 tackles for loss
- 8 sacks (Top 25 nationally)
Rhodes admitted he weighed entering the NFL Draft but ultimately decided staying in Fayetteville was the better move and noted that Silverfield was a major reason why. Their relationship goes back years to Rhodes’ early recruiting process.
"“I was being recruited by Coach Silverfield,” Rhodes said. “I already knew the guy, so my relationship with him also played a big part.”"Quincy Rhodes
With Rhodes getting first round NFL draft buzz, this is huge news for Arkansas football to get the defense back on the right track after a rough 2025 season. New Defensive Coordinator Ron Roberts will have a field day setting up schemes to maximize his potential and allow him to have an even bigger 2026 season.
A Critical Early Win for the Razorbacks’ Rebuild
Retaining cornerstone pieces like Jackson and Rhodes gives Silverfield a massive advantage as he assembles his staff and preps the roster for winter workouts. Stability is often the hardest thing to maintain during a coaching transition, and Arkansas kept two of its most important young leaders at a moment when many programs would be losing players.
For morale, continuity, and long-term development, this is a major early victory for Silverfield and a sign that the locker room is already buying into his leadership. The rebuild in Fayetteville has only just begun, but it’s off to a very promising start.
The rebuild in Fayetteville has only just begun, but it’s off to a very promising start.