Rocket Sanders had his chance quickly. AJ Green’s year was dotted with opportunities. Now it’s Ketron Jackson Jr.’s turn.
Green and Sanders were the No. 2 and No. 3 members of Arkansas’ 2021 recruiting class and established themselves as immediate, in Sanders’ case, regulars and future, in Green’s case, ones. Jackson, the wide receiver from Royse City, Texas, caught four passes and never truly cracked the regular rotation.
That’s almost certainly going to change in 2022.
Jackson has been arguably the brightest spot in the receiving corps during fall camp, the primary player who has stood out among a group coach Sam Pittman called the most improved on the team.
That’s scary news for Arkansas opponents, who are hoping the Razorbacks offense stumbles with the loss of first-round pick Treylon Burks to the NFL and No. 2 receiver Tyson Morris to exhausted eligibility. In fact, only two of the team’s top six pass-catchers last year return in Warren Thompson and tight end Trey Knox.
Jackson caught five passes, one for a score, for 97 yards last year. But coaches raved about his potential in last year’s camp and he showed flashes of it in-game, too.
Now, he’s taken the next step as an all-but-guaranteed starter when the Hogs open the season against Cincinnati on September 3.