Arkansas’s FAYETTEVILLE Sam Pittman, the coach of Arkansas, is still keeping an eye on the portal to find specific transfers that will support the team’s needs heading into the new year while also fitting with his culture. Everybody will have to wait to pass judgment on how they turn out, as we made clear this week. sprinting back Although the Razorbacks had difficulties in the running game the previous season, this isn’t entirely the fault of the players present. Both AJ Green (uncommitted) and Raheim Sanders (South Carolina) have moved on to more promising places. The Hogs will go on with great talent but little depth due to their departures.
Rashod Dubinion’s first two seasons in Fayetteville have seen him develop into a quality player. Over the previous two years, he has carried the ball 153 times for 553 yards and six touchdowns. Isaiah Augustave, who finished the season with 35 carries for 202 yards and one touchdown, was given the most of the carries by Arkansas in the final stretch.
Pittman said he would be open to adding another running back out of the portal to complement the players already in the room during his signing day press conference. Veteran Dominique Johnson is back with the Razorbacks for another campaign. Braylen Russell, Benton’s vicious tailback and the best player in the state at his position, was also signed. After signing with North Carolina out of high school, George Pettaway, a previous top 100 prospect in the 2022 class, turned down offers from Penn State, Michigan, Florida, Alabama, Auburn, and 20 other schools. The native of Suffolk, Virginia, possesses remarkable burst once passed blocks with strong burners. It’s possible that Arkansas will welcome him on campus in January.
The highly accomplished Alabama runner J’Marion Burnette will make a visit to the Razorbacks in January. Throughout his high school career, he has accumulated almost 4500 yards and 39 touchdowns. The former Auburn pledge is rated as a 4-star recruit and is now ranked No. 18.
Casting a whole net here is probably less complicated than casting two separate nets. Pittman had the same wish to add two skilled defensive backs. In order to add more depth after losing two important starters in Dwight McGlothern and Alfahiym Walcott, he plans to add one cornerback and one safety. Miguel Mitchell, a safety from Florida, is at least one portal candidate known to be likely visitor in January. Despite offers from Vanderbilt, Kansas State, Northwestern, Memphis, LSU, USC, Tennessee, and Oregon, he chose to join with the Gators. This season, the true sophomore started eight games and totaled 37 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and one breakup.
Doneiko Slaughter, a former defensive back for Tennessee, was already signed with the Razorbacks before Early National Signing Day. Wesley Walker, a colleague at defensive back, just signed into the transfer portal. Prior to choosing to join with Georgia Tech during the 2019 recruiting cycle, he was a highly regarded three-star defender in high school. He had offers from schools like LSU, Kentucky, and Louisville. He has 89 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks, and one interception during his two seasons with the Volunteers.
Linebacker
After the season, Arkansas lost three players to the portal at this position. Solid members of a good crop were Mani Powell, Jordan Crook, who signed with Arizona State, and Chris Paul, who left Arkansas for Ole Miss. Bradley Shaw is a 4-star linebacker from Hoover, Alabama, and if he commits on January 6 at the All-American Game, the Razorbacks intend to sign him. Shaw’s college football options are apparently limited to the Razorbacks and Clemson. According to 247sports, he is ranked as the eighth linebacker overall and as the No. 101 player in his class.
Given Pittman’s desire to acquire another linebacker, Xe’ree Alexander of Idaho would be a perfect addition to the portal. After leading the Vandals in tackles with sixty, the FCS Freshman All-American also added four tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Recently, he received several noteworthy offers from Cal, Washington State, UCF, Minnesota, Kansas, Oregon State, and Washington State.
A solid core of linebackers, led by former 5-star and Georgia transfer Xavian Sorey, was signed by the Razorbacks. Three other true freshmen, Julius Pope (signed as an athlete), Wyatt Simmons, and Justin Logan, will be joining him. Shaw’s addition would be the cherry on top for a freshmen class, and Alexander’s addition would increase the upperclassmen’s talent level.
Wide Receiver Another position of said need is one that Bobby Petrino likes to utilize heavily. While there haven’t been any visitors yet receiver wise there are several suitable prospects in the portal. Texas A&M’s Evan Stewart announced his portal entrance this past week. He missed four games in 2023 but did catch 38 passes for 514 yards and four touchdowns. Stewart was the No. 1 receiver prospect coming out of Memphis in the 2022 class. He is currently the No. 2 player in the transfer portal, per 247sports. While this is a wish list for Pittman after all it certainly doesn’t hurt to try and lure him to Fayetteville since his former offensive coordinator is on staff. Offensive Line
One of the biggest issues for the Razorbacks in 2023 was their lack of dominant offensive line play. Former line coach Cody Kennedy left to take the same job at Mississippi State while hiring Eric Mateos to replace him. Arkansas signed three transfers during the early signing period on December 20 with Fernando Carmona (San Jose State), Keyshawn Blackstock (Michigan State) and Addison Nichols (Tennessee) hoping to shore up the deficiencies that plagued the Razorbacks last season. According to Pittman, they aren’t done yet wanting to add an interior lineman. While most portal linemen have already signed early there could be more movement come spring ball. Defensive Line One note we’ve learned is defensive line coach Deke Adams loves his edge rushers. That is exactly the position Pittman wants to target in the transfer portal. The Razorbacks missed on Nathan Matlack who eventually committed to Kansas State.
The top uncommitted edge rusher currently available is Korey Foreman. The Corona, California native signed with the Trojans as the No. 3 player in the country for 2021. During his three seasons at Southern Cal, Foreman has recorded 25 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. As for adding to the interior Anton Juncaj of FCS Albany is an intriguing prospect. He has already earned several high-major offers from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Houston, Oklahoma State, Maryland, Texas A&M, Kansas, Arizona State, Arizona, Boston College and Indiana. The 6-foot-3, 273 pounder dominated his competition in 2023 recording 55 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, five forced fumbles, 12 quarterback hurries and three pass breakups. Juncaj will have one year left to play as a graduate transfer. His 15 sacks set a program record for the Great Danes while also leading the FCS. The Albany transfer was named an All-American following his performance this season.
