Baton Rouge, LA -- (Sports Network) - True freshman Jordan Jefferson will start under center for the defending national champion LSU Tigers on Friday against the Arkansas Razorbacks, head coach Les Miles announced Wednesday.

Regular starter Jarrett Lee left Saturday's 31-13 loss against Ole Miss with an ankle injury in the second quarter and did not return. Lee practiced on Wednesday and will serve as the backup to Jefferson, who connected on 9-of-20 passes for 129 yards, one interception and one touchdown in taking over after the injury. Jefferson also led the team in rushing with 23 yards.

"I like Jordan Jefferson," Miles said. "He had a nice week of preparation, and he keeps getting better and better. It's interesting; he's no longer the second-team quarterback. He's just really stepped up his attention to detail this week. He throws a better ball and he's had a good week of preparation."

Jefferson will be the first true freshman to start at quarterback for LSU since Herb Tyler did so in the 1995 campaign.

The Tigers have not duplicated last year's success, as they head into Friday's tilt with a 7-4 overall record and a lackluster 3-4 mark in SEC play.