FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green opened the 2025 football season with a performance that quickly earned national recognition.
Following a six-touchdown, 322-yard showing in a 52–7 win over Alabama A&M, Green was selected as the East-West Shrine Bowl Monday Morning Quarterback, a weekly honor.
The senior transfer, now entrenched as the Razorbacks’ offensive leader, completed 24 of 31 passes with no interceptions in his first start of the year. He added 41 yards on the ground, showing the dual-threat ability that made him one of the most intriguing quarterbacks entering the season.
“It’s always exciting when you start the year strong, but this was a team win,” Green said. “The guys around me made plays, and we set the tone for what we want to be.”
Receivers set the pace
Much of the credit, Green emphasized, belongs to his wide receivers. He singled out O’Mega Blake and CJ Brown for their work habits and ability to maintain tempo in practice and games.
“I wasn’t surprised,” Green said. “If you see how much work they put in, but at the same time, how fast they practice, especially O’Mega and CJ. Just the way that they work every single day, they could be tired but you wouldn’t know it.”
That chemistry was clear in the opener. Blake hauled in two touchdown passes, while Brown added another, giving Arkansas a versatile passing attack that stretched the field early and often.
Record-setting start
Green’s six touchdown passes tied the second-most in program history, joining former Razorback quarterback Brandon Allen, who threw six against Mississippi in 2015. The mark trails only the school record of seven.
It also marked the most passing touchdowns for an Arkansas quarterback in a season opener. The performance positioned Green among the early national leaders in passing efficiency. His completion rate of 77.4 percent is the highest by a Razorback starter in an opener since the program joined the SEC.
Building off last year’s momentum
Green transferred to Arkansas ahead of the 2024 season after beginning his career at Boise State. In his first season with the Razorbacks, he threw for 3,154 yards and 15 touchdowns while rushing for 602 yards and eight more scores.
His play helped Arkansas close with a Liberty Bowl victory, where he earned Most Valuable Player honors.
That finish set expectations for 2025, when Green was named to preseason watch lists for the Manning Award, honoring the nation’s top quarterback, and the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, which recognizes the top offensive player from Texas.
Head coach Sam Pittman noted during camp that Green’s leadership and experience brought consistency to an offense looking to rebound from early struggles a year ago.
“He’s taken command of the huddle and the locker room,” Pittman said last month. “That’s what you want from your quarterback.”
Looking ahead
Arkansas continues its nonconference schedule at Razorback Stadium before diving into SEC play later this month.
The opener against Alabama A&M gave Green and the Razorbacks a chance to test their pace and execution.
National recognition from the Shrine Bowl adds momentum, but Green has stressed that the focus is week-to-week.
“One game doesn’t define a season,” he said. “We’ll celebrate the win, learn from it, and move on to the next challenge.”
If the opener is any indication, Arkansas may have the veteran quarterback capable of guiding the program through a challenging SEC slate.
With Green’s efficiency, a deep receiver group, and an offensive line returning multiple starters, the Razorbacks’ offense appears set for a productive 2025 campaign.
Three Takeaways
• Historic opener: Green tied the second-most passing touchdowns in school history with six.
• Receiver depth: O’Mega Blake and CJ Brown highlighted a receiver group praised for pace and consistency.
• Momentum builder: The Shrine Bowl honor reinforces expectations for Green as Arkansas enters a demanding SEC schedule.
