3 Impact positions in spring from transfer portal, junior college

FAYETTEVILLE — Here’s a look at three positions where recruits from the transfer portal and junior college could make the biggest impact this spring and even in the fall.

Offensive line is a position greatly changed because of recruiting, but it was highlighted in my Monday story so it won’t be included in this one. Click here for Monday’s story if you missed it.

Arkansas Head Coach Sam Pittman will meet with the media at 1 p.m. on Thursday to discuss spring drills that start on Monday, March 10. Here’s three positions where transfers from the portal and junior college could make a big impact this spring and fall.

Secondary

The Razorbacks were busy recruiting for new secondary help and by all accounts they recruited well there. At cornerback, the Hogs signed Oklahoma’s Kani Walker and Northwest Mississippi Community College’s Keshawn Davila. Cincinnati’s Jordan Young can play any of the secondary positions. He could be a candidate to play the Hog. Arkansas added Auburn’s Caleb Wooden and Eastern Michigan’s Quentavius Scandrett to play safety.

Davila was the No. 1 cornerback in junior college. He was rated a four-star prospect. He and Walker will be given a chance to start or at least make a big impact immediately. Walker, 6-2, 206, brings outstanding size to the position. He played in 11 games for the Sooners in 2024 with nine starts. Few cornerbacks have the size and speed combination Walker brings to the team.

Young’s versatility will be greatly appreciated when it comes to settling on the rotation in the secondary. He played in 12 games for the Bearcats last season recording 35 tackles, one for loss and five pass breakups.

Scandrett was a All-MAC first team defense. Appeared in all 12 games while tallying 55 total tackles, one interception, a quarterback hurry and three pass breakups. At 6-3, 200, he too has good size for the secondary from a safety spot.

Wooden started at free safety for Auburn last year. Had 17 tackles including three against the Razorbacks.

Wide Receiver

The Razorbacks went to the transfer portal to land Missouri’s Courtney Crutchfield, Fresno State’s Raylen Sharpe, UAB’s Kam Shanks and Stanford’s Ismael Cisse.

Crutchfield was stuck behind several older wide receivers last year at Missouri, but should be an impact player immediately for the Razorbacks. He’s one of the best athletes to come out of Arkansas in several years. He is from Pine Bluff and was a four-star recruit who originally committed to the Hogs. Look for him to make a quick impact.

Sharpe has been excellent at both Missouri State and Fresno State. He has ties to Bobby Petrino and Ronnie Fouch. Started his career running track at Houston before transferring to Missouri State. Was a quarterback at Allen (Texas) High School.

Shanks topped the nation in punt returns last year at UAB. He returned two punts for touchdowns and totaled 329 yards (20.6 average). He led UAB with 62 receptions for 656 yards and six touchdowns. He had a 15-yard touchdown reception against the Razorbacks last season.

Cisse played in 12 games for Stanford finishing with 26 receptions for 241 yards and two touchdowns. Very strong athlete.

Tight End

The Hogs signed Montana State’s Rohan Jones, Texas A&M’s Jaden Platt and Chaffey (Calif.) College’s Jeremiah Beck.

Platt brings a lot of potential and outstanding size, 6-5, 250, to the position. He has ties to Morgan Turner and Petrino. He chose Arkansas over Florida State and others.

Beck was rated among the top tight ends in the nation from junior college. For his junior college career, totaled 77 catches for 851 yards and seven touchdowns over 21 games.

Jones was First-Team FCS Football Central All-American. Played in 14 games, recording 30 receptions for 470 yards (15.7 ypc) and nine touchdowns. Very highly recruited from the transfer portal.