October 21, 2026 at 3:15 p.m.
by Tom Murphy
FAYETTEVILLE — The question has reared its head repeatedly through the first two months of the season for the Arkansas football team.
Who is option No. 2 at receiver behind standout Chris Marshall?
For several games the answer was not clear, but the Razorbacks had to find out on the fly last Saturday in Nashville after Marshall left the game with an apparent injury in the first half.
The solution was multi-layered, but it started with Marshall’s backup at the spot, sophomore Antonio Jordan, who had a breakout performance with 5 receptions for 74 yards.
But quarterback KJ Jackson spread the ball all around to his wideouts, tight end and running backs to wind up with completions to a dozen receivers during his 21-of-31 passing performance for 251 yards.
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“I think one of the things I was so happy with is that we had 12 different guys catch the ball, and that’s part of it,” coach Ryan Silverfield said Wednesday. “You hope it wasn’t due to an injury, but I think KJ is now, ‘We trust this guy. We trust this guy.’
“He’s always had great faith in those that are catching the football. But in that game, sometimes maybe [his] eyes get off that read a little bit quicker and go through [his] progression. So hopefully, we’ll continue to progress with that.”
Four other players joined Jordan with multiple catches: tight end Ty Lockwood (3 for 26), receiver Jamari Hawkins (2 for 44) and running backs Sutton Smith (2 for 12) and Braylen Russell (2 for 2).
Tight end Jaden Platt, running back Cam Settles and wideouts Marshall, Monte Harrison, Donovan Faupel, Ismael Cisse and CJ Brown all contributed one reception.
Some analysts felt Jackson had locked in on Marshall due to the senior’s massive start to the season. Through six games Marshall had 42 receptions while the rest of the team combined for 85. His 7 catches per game at that time was tied for 11th in the FBS and tied for second in the SEC.
“It’s hard to blame [Jackson] to look for Chris Marshall,” Silverfield said. “Chris has obviously been ultra-productive and a very talented young man, and I’m glad he’s here. I think part of it, KJ has got to continue to trust the full reads, and that’s one of those things. He’s done a nice job. Then that game, well, can’t look for Chris Marshall to be my first read. OK, where’s the second and third? And we’re seeing other guys step up.”
Marshall’s only catch of the game, a shallow crossing route on which he broke several tackles and was credited with 32 yards after the catch, was a huge one.
It was the opening play in the Razorbacks’ two-minute drill to close the first half, accounting for 26 of the 75 yards. The nine-play march, capped by Settles 11-yard touchdown run, tied the game 14-14.
Jordan’s big night included a 32-yard deep ball down the left sideline on which he contorted to get a cleat down in bounds. The big strike set up Settles’ 3-yard touchdown run and gave Arkansas a 28-21 lead.
“Antonio is a big-bodied receiver that has shown he can make some of those difficult catches,” Silverfield said. “I think he has earned the right to maybe see the field more. We need him to continue to progress and play fast and be a good run-blocker as well.
“You can’t just go out there and catch that high ball when it comes his way. Which, it’s great to have those guys, but … he’s shown the flashes and the ability to do so, so we’ll see.”
The issue is whether a healthy Marshall would limit Jordan’s snaps because they’re at the same spot. Silverfield said he has “Ievery thought and faith” that Marshall would be able to play against Missouri on Oct. 31.
“If he’s stepping up, does that mean you take plays away from Chris Marshall?” Silverfield asked. “Or now do you have to move Chris to another receiver position? Which is fine, but then who does that take [off the field]? So I think we’re going to try to find the best mix of guys in the rotation in-game.”
Jordan entered the game with 3 catches for 25 yards on the season. He left it tied for second among wideouts along with Hawkins and Cisse with 8 catches.
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