Hogs hoping to make splash in portal, hosting visitors

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas is preparing for Saturday’s spring game and also busy hosting four recruits from the transfer portal.

Sam Pittman has made no secret he plans to add help on defense in this portal opening. Arkansas is hosting Troy edge Phillip Lee, 6-4, 240, Stanford safety Julian Neal, 6-2, 200, Maine defensive back Shakur Smalls, 6-0, 205, and Kent State linebacker Trent Whalen, 6-2, 225.

Lee is considered an outstanding pass rusher. In 2024, Lee played in 12 games. He had 35 tackles, 11 for loss, five sacks, one forced fumble and a pass breakup. Pittman has noted the Hogs would like to add a pass rusher, defensive tackle and secondary help. Lee fits the bill of pass rusher.

Whalen played at Southern Utah in 2024. He transferred to Kent State at midterm, but when they fired the head coach Whalen once again entered the portal. In 2024 at Southern Utah, Whalen had 46 tackles, 21 solo, 5.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sack, one forced fumble, three quarterback hurries and a pass breakup. Arkansas didn’t sign any linebackers in the first opening of the transfer portal.

Neal played at Fresno State last season with Raylen Sharpe, who is now a wide receiver at Arkansas. He transferred to Stanford at midterm, but Stanford fired its head coach. In 2024, in 12 games, Neal had 35 tackles, five for loss, one sack, two interceptions and six pass breakups.

In 11 games at Maine in 2024, Smalls had 43 tackles, two for loss, an interception and six pass breakups.

Arkansas has other targets including UTEP safety Dillion Williams, 5-11, 188, who has set an official visit to Arkansas next week.