Hogs have 19 additions from the transfer portal

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas has signed 19 recruits from the transfer portal and met many of its needs.

The Razorbacks have signed a running back, five wide receivers, one tight end and five offensive linemen. On defense, they have inked two ends, a tackle and four defensive backs. At this time it’s likely the Hogs still would like to add a wide receiver, 1-2 tight ends, a defensive tackle and another defensive back or two possibly.

Arkansas needed a running back and went to New Mexico State to get Mike Washington, 6-2, 228. Washington is a powerful back who should combine with Braylen Russell, Rodney Hill and the rest of the running backs to provide Bobby Petrino’s offense with a ground attack. In 2024, Washington carried 157 times for 725 yards and 8 touchdowns. He also pulled in 9 passes for 74 yards and a touchdown.

The tight end room is short on numbers. Morgan Turner is still trying to add another tight end or two to the room. Texas A&M’s Jaden Platt, 6-5, 260, was committed to Morgan Turner at Stanford before the coaching change there. In 2023, Platt played for Petrino at A&M. He is a talented blocker who is very athletic and should show off his receiving skills with the Hogs.

The strength of this class is likely the offensive line. Arkansas has done well adding offensive linemen. They have signed Oregon’s JacQawn McRoy, 6-8, 375, Georgia Tech’s Corey Robinson II, 6-5, 305, UCF center Caden Kitler, 6-3, 295, Ole Miss’ Kavion Broussard, 6-6, 300, and Maryland’s Marcus Dumervil, 6-5, 305. Expect McRoy and Robinson to play tackle and Kitler center. Broussard and Dumervil are versatile. This is a very good group.

At wide receiver where the room is pretty much depleted outside of CJ Brown, Shamar Easter, Monte Harrison and Krosse Johnson. Arkansas has signed Missouri’s Courtney Crutchfield, 6-2, 190, Fresno State’s Raylen Sharpe, 5-9, 165, UAB’s Kam Shanks, 5-8, 180, Stanford’s Ismael Cisse, 6-0, 180, and Charlotte’s O’Mega Blake, 6-2, 180.

Crutchfield was a four-star recruit from Pine Bluff in the Class of 2024. He was committed to Arkansas, but flipped to Missouri. But Crutchfield is now back with the Hogs and could be the leader of the group. He didn’t compile stats at Missouri, but will shine with the opportunity likely afforded him with the Hogs. Blake formerly played at South Carolina in the SEC. In 2024 at Charlotte, Blake caught 32 passes for 795 yards and 9 touchdowns.

Shanks was a first-team All-America punt returner. In 2024, Shanks returned 16 punts for 329 yards and 2 touchdowns. Shanks caught 62 passes for 656 yards and 6 touchdowns. He had a 15-yard touchdown reception against the Hogs this season. He is expected to be the replacement for Isaiah Sategna at punt returner and receiver.

Sharpe caught 51 passes for 523 yards and 3 touchdowns in his lone season at Fresno State in 2024. In 2023 with Missouri State, Sharpe caught 73 passes for 991 yards and 7 touchdowns. He even threw a 26-yard touchdown pass at Fresno State this season. Cisse squats 550 pounds. He caught 26 passes for 241 yards and 2 touchdowns.

On defense, Deke Adams had a goal of two ends and a pair of tackles. He has filled 75% of that with only a tackle remaining. Abilene Christian defensive tackle David Oke, 6-2, 295, chose the Hogs over USC, Texas Tech, North Carolina and Rutgers. In 2024, Oke had 64 tackles, 22 solo, 2 pass breakups, a pair of sacks and 1 forced fumble.

At end, Michigan State’s Ken Talley, 6-3, 256, and Florida’s Justus Boone, 6-4, 266, are welcomed additions. They should compete with Quincy Rhodes Jr., Charlie Collins, Kavion Henderson and others for playing time. Talley was a four-star recruit who went to Penn State. He then went to Michigan State where soon after he arrived the coaches who recruited him were replaced. The new coaches played their guys over him. He had 6 tackles, 3 solo and 1.5 sacks. Boone finished with 10 tackles, 2 solo, 0.5 sack and 1 pass breakup.

The Hogs need help in the secondary and have done well there. They have signed Oklahoma cornerback Kani Walker, 6-2, 206, Auburn free safety Caleb Wooden, 6-1, 192, Eastern Michigan safety Quentavius Scandrett, 6-2, 200, and Cincinnati’s versatile defensive back Jordan Young, 6-1, 197.

Walker is a very big, physical cornerback who will allow Marcus Woodson to put him against bigger wide receivers on opposing teams. In 2024, Walker had 24 tackles, 18 solo, 6 pass breakups and 1 interception. He will certainly be in the mix for a starting spot.

Young played cornerback for the Bearcats, but can also play safety and the Hog at Arkansas. Young had 35 tackles, 19 solo and 5 pass breakups in 2024. He could be the replacement for Doneiko Slaughter at the Hog spot.

Wooden was the starter at free safety for Auburn. In 2024, Wooden had 17 tackles, 12 solo, 1 pass breakup and an interception. In a loss to Arkansas, Wooden had 3 tackles. Scandrett brings outstanding size to the safety spot. He had 55 tackles, 28 solo, 1 interception, 3 pass breakups and a quarterback hurry this season.

While not from the transfer portal, Arkansas also landed cornerback Keshawn Davila, 6-1, 170, from Northwest Mississippi Community College and offensive lineman Bubba Craig, 6-8, 320, from Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College. Davila is definitely someone who can compete for a starting spot this fall.

These players will be mixed in with 22 signees from high school. From high school, Arkansas signed two quarterbacks, a pair of running backs, four wide receivers, a tight end and three offensive linemen. On defense, the Hogs added five linemen, two linebackers and two defensive backs. Arkansas also signed the No. 1 kicker in the nation and added a preferred walk-on punter who has a vast amount of potential.