UCF transfer QB KJ Jefferson appears in Arkansas court for reckless driving misdemeanor

UCF quarterback KJ Jefferson turned himself in to the Fayetteville (Ark.) Police Department on Wednesday afternoon and appeared in court for a misdemeanor reckless driving charge on May 18, 2023.

Jefferson, 22, remained in communication with law enforcement, and it was mutually agreed upon that he would return to Fayetteville following UCF's spring football game to appear in court. He was driving 100 miles per hour in a 70 mph zone on an Arkansas interstate.

Because he was driving more than 20 mph over the speed limit, Jefferson was charged with reckless driving as opposed to being issued a regular speeding ticket.

In a statement released to the media, UCF coach Gus Malzahn said, "I have been fully aware of this situation that took place in May 2023 prior to his arrival. Since KJ has been here, he's been a great leader and an exemplary member of our program."

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Jefferson was booked at 2:13 p.m. Wednesday and released 21 minutes later, according to Washington County Sheriff's Office arrest records. The 6-foot-3, 266-pound fifth-year senior has no prior bookings, per the detention intake report.

Jefferson said in an Instagram video that he will serve three days of community service, which he is expected to complete within the next few weeks before returning to Orlando, according to a university spokesman.

"I came back to Fayetteville only because I had a court date and to pay my fine and everything for speeding and all that," Jefferson added. "I take full accountability for my actions and what I did. But all the extra stuff about, 'KJ did this,' and all these narratives that y'all are trying to paint, that's not true, bro. I had a speeding ticket."

The Knights' starter under center since his arrival from Arkansas in January, Jefferson completed 12 of 22 passes for 271 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in Friday's spring game. He made 38 starts for the Razorbacks over parts of five seasons, totaling 7,911 passing yards, 2,107 rushing yards and 86 touchdowns.

Timmy McClain, expected to be UCF's backup quarterback for 2024, officially entered the transfer portal Wednesday morning. He's one of four Knights in the portal at the moment, along with junior defensive back Nikai Martinez and wide receivers Goldie Lawrence and Stephen Martin.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: UCF football: QB KJ Jefferson appears in court for reckless driving