Former University of Arkansas quarterback Jefferson was booked in Northwest Arkansas for a traffic violation dating back to 2023.
Former University of Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson voluntarily appeared before Fayetteville Police on Wednesday to address a misdemeanor moving violation he received nearly a year ago, allegedly for driving at 113 mph before transferring to the University of Central Florida this past winter.
UCF Coach Gus Malzahn, who previously coached high school football in Arkansas and served as the UA offensive coordinator, acknowledged being aware of Jefferson’s situation in Northwest Arkansas in a statement.
According to Cindy Murphy, public information officer for the Arkansas State Police, Jefferson was cited on May 18, 2023, for driving a 2019 Dodge Challenger at 113 mph in a 70-mph zone on southbound Interstate 49 in Washington County. The citation, issued at 11:20 p.m., was for speeding more than 15 mph over the limit and for reckless driving.
Jefferson was booked into the Washington County Detention Center at 2:13 p.m. on Wednesday and released without bail at 2:34 p.m., according to detention center records.
In a video posted on his Instagram account on Wednesday afternoon, Jefferson addressed the situation, explaining that he received a speeding ticket in May of the previous year before the football season. He revealed that he was given three days of community service as part of the resolution.
Jefferson emphasized taking full responsibility for his actions and debunked any false narratives surrounding the incident.
Reports from UCF’s Rivals site indicated that Jefferson maintained communication with law enforcement officials in Northwest Arkansas and with UCF personnel, arranging to return to Fayetteville to address the matter after UCF’s spring football game.
Malzahn released a statement affirming his awareness of the situation, praising Jefferson’s leadership and conduct since joining UCF, and reassuring that the incident would not affect Jefferson’s standing with the Golden Knights.
Jefferson’s performance during UCF’s spring game further solidified his position, as he passed for 271 yards and two touchdowns, leading his team to a 26-7 victory over the Knights.
During his tenure at Arkansas, Jefferson set numerous career records, including 7,911 passing yards, 88 combined passing and rushing touchdowns, and 67 touchdown passes. A native of Sardis, Mississippi, he was one of only two three-time captains at Arkansas, demonstrating his leadership qualities on and off the field. Additionally, Jefferson played at approximately 250 pounds during his senior year at Arkansas, with his booking information on Wednesday listing him at 266 pounds.
