Arkansas fans already knew it, but the college football world is on notice.
KJ Jefferson was named to the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award Monday, one of 85 to start the season on list. The award is given to the player deemed the best in all of college football as chosen by a panel of coaches, broadcasters and writers.
Jefferson threw for 2,676 yards with 21 touchdowns and four interceptions to along with 664 yards and six yards last year in helping lead Arkansas to a 9-4 season, its most successful since 2011.
Semifinalists for the award will be named November 1 and that list will be trimmed three finalists on November 22. The winners will be announced December 8 as part of the College Football Awards Show.
The Razorbacks open the season September 3 at home against Cincinnati on ESPN.