Despite Arkansas’ narrow 41-35 loss to Ole Miss, quarterback Taylen Green turned heads with a remarkable performance. Green completed 22 of 35 passes for 305 yards and a touchdown, while also gashing the Rebels on the ground with 13 carries for 111 yards and two scores. His brilliance kept the Razorbacks in a shootout and left fans with plenty of hope, even as the defense faltered. ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit went so far as to call him “the most underrated QB in the SEC, if not in the country.”

That kind of night naturally fueled comparisons, and not just to SEC peers. On his podcast See Ball Get Ball, former Georgia linebacker David Pollack described Green as “a little thicker Colin Kaepernick.” He pointed to the long strides, quick acceleration, and ability to extend plays that once made Kaepernick one of the NFL’s most feared dual-threat quarterbacks. “Long strides, eats up speed really quickly, long throwing motions, can improvise, and makes things happen,” Pollack said.

Kaepernick was popular for more than football. A polarizing figure who was drafted by the 49ers before his NFL career veered into activism and controversy, Kaepernick remains a symbol of both athletic talent and off-field conviction. For Green, being mentioned in that same breath underscores both his potential and the high expectations that will follow.

Green wasn’t alone in keeping Arkansas competitive. Running back Mike Washington Jr. and wide receiver O’Mega Blake combined with him to pressure the Ole Miss defense, while head coach Sam Pittman praised his offensive line for giving Green the time to operate. “The offensive line just seems to me to get better and better. I just didn’t feel anybody on the edge cause problems,” Pittman said. The offense clicked, proving Arkansas’s ability to score regardless of the game’s flow.

Taylen Green’s performance alone will not win games for Arkansas

The game was close, but a lopsided performance from the secondary inevitably resulted in a defeat for Arkansas. Larry Worth III and Kani Walker struggled to contain Ole Miss’s offense, as Lane Kiffin’s unit showcased its dominance.

The defensive lapses ultimately erased the impact of Green’s big night. If Arkansas wants to compete, it will have to shake things up. To help his team, Sam Pittman will need to explore defensive adjustments or rotate players in the back end.

A strong game from Talyen Green and the offense was not enough for the win. After all, football is a team sport. How long can a team rely solely on one player’s performance? The offensive line looked great, proving that Arkansas can score. But the question is – can they defend? If your defense is not strong, then it is hard to make your mark.