Diamond Hogs get commit from Vandy left handed pitcher Ethan McElvain

BY DUDLEY E. DAWSON

FAYETTEVILLE – The night before it continued its quest to win a 2025 national title, Arkansas reeled in a top left handed reliever for 2026.

Vanderbilt relief pitcher Ethan McElvain (6-4, 241), the top-ranked relief pitcher in the portal per 64Analytics, announced his commitment to the Razorbacks on Instagram Friday night.

“Super excited to be a Razorback!,” McElvain via his social media.

He joins Little Rock transfer right handed pitcher Jackson Wells, a 2023 All-American, as portal additions this week for the Razorbacks.

McElvain went 3-5 and had a 5.33 ERA in 27 appearances, including nine starts, in his two seasons at Vanderbilt.

He struggled early in the 2025 campaign and ended with a 2-3 record, one save, a 7.25 ERA and a 2.16 WHIP in 27 1/3 innings pitched.

But MvElvain, a former Vandy teammate of current Razorback Cam Kozeal, allowed no runs and just five walks in five of his last seven appearances.

That was after issuing 23 free passes in his first nine outings.


McElvain started last season as a weekend starter for the Commodores, but moved to the bullpen after five starts.

As a freshman in 2024, McElvain had a 3.25 ERA with 29 strikeouts and and 15 walks in 25 innings.