Arkansas Football: 3 breakout candidates for 2021 season

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FAYETTEVILLE, AR – DECEMBER 12: Malik Hornsby #2 of the Arkansas Razorbacks warms up before a game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Razorback Stadium on December 12, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Crimson Tide defeated the Razorbacks 52-3. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

All aboard the Malik Hornsby bandwagon. I’ll be the first person to buy stock in Hornsby after really liking him as a recruit and thinking that he may have had an opportunity to push for the starting job in 2020 if not for a huge breakout season from Feleipe Franks.

Franks has a great addition for Sam Pittman as he was the perfect transition year quarterback for the new head coach, going from veteran leader to inexperienced former backups in 2021.

It’s going to be difficult to replace the 2,107 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns, 204 rushing yards, and another score at the quarterback position, but I think Hornsby could be the guy to do it. KJ Jefferson has talent but his accuracy was a big red flag last season, completing just 20-of-41 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns.

The highest ceiling at the quarterback position will come if Hornsby is named the starter and if the offense is allowed to develop under the young dual-threat.

Hornsby has a strong arm and we’ll see if he’s more accurate than Jefferson but I have high hopes.

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