Miami football named school to watch for Arkansas transfer QB KJ Jefferson
The Miami football program has been named as one of the early schools to watch for Arkansas transfer quarterback K.J. Jefferson by Brad Crawford of 247 Sports and Pete Nakos of On3. Jefferson entered the transfer portal on Monday. Nakos mentioned Central Florida and TCU as the other programs to watch for Jefferson. Miami is expected to pursue Jefferson per Nakos.
Crawford initially mentioned Miami, Mississippi State, South Carolina and UCF as programs to watch for Jefferson. South Carolina is no longer pursuing Jefferson in the portal per Crawford on Tuesday morning. Miami and Mississippi State both lost transfer QBs. Former Mississippi State QB Will Rogers is transferring to Washington.
Miami hosted transfer QBs Will Howard from Kansas State and Cam Ward from Washington State last week. Howard is reportedly headed to USC. Ward visited Florida State over the weekend. Howard and Ward are the only transfer QBs Miami has hosted since the portal went live on December 4.
Nakos reported that Miami told Howard and Ward they would expect a commitment at any time. Miami is currently projected to have incoming freshman Judd Anderson, redshirt sophomore Jacurri Brown and sophomore Emory Williams at QB in 2024. Brown who is starting the Pinstripe Bowl versus Rutgers could enter the transfer portal.
" KJ Jefferson will be added to the list of names to watch in Coral Gables. Miami can’t afford to not take a transfer quarterback.
- Pete Nakos On3
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Miami is taking a deliberate and meticulous approach targeting transfer QBs. Most of the top 2024 transfer QBs have committed to other programs. Two other transfer QBs to watch are Maalik Murphy of Texas and Malachi Nelson of USC. Several reports have stated that Miami is looking for an experienced transfer QB.
Miami might take a conditional approach to pursuing Jefferson. Crawford said, "Miami could enter the fray for Jefferson if the Hurricanes fail to land Washington State's Cameron Ward, one of this cycle's highest-rated players still on the market." No timetable has been discussed publically for when Ward will make a decision.
Miami waiting for a decision from Ward could come at a cost of being completely shut out of the transfer portal. Privately, Miami could discuss a timetable with Ward for a decision that works for both parties. Conversely, Ward wants to be able to pick the program of his choosing and not get shut out because of other programs adding QBs.
Next. Reports on staggering Cam Ward NIL numbers staggering. Reports on staggering Cam Ward NIL numbers staggering. dark
The list of elite transfer QBs is getting short. Murphy, Nelson and Ward are the only transfer QBs in the top 10 who are not committed. Jefferson is the 21st-ranked QB in the portal. Former QB Tyler Van Dyke is the 14th ranked QB in the 2024 portal. Mario Cristobal and his staff are reportedly targeting experienced transfer QBs.