Hogs trying to reload in the recruiting circles via transfer portal

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas is busy working the transfer portal since it opened on Monday.

The Razorbacks have gotten off to a very good start with the additions of Oregon offensive tackle JacQawn McRoy, 6-8, 375, and Oklahoma cornerback Kani Walker, 6-2, 206. As of time this story was written those are the only two who have gone public. They have others who are coming to play for the Hogs. Sam Pittman saw 23 scholarship players enter the portal. He is asking fans to give the Hogs some time before judging too harshly.

“I think you’re 100% — hell, they’re not the only ones that were in, you know, because I’m the one and our staff having to make all the decisions,” Pittman said. “We’re not stupid. We know if a guy like a Luke Hasz walks out the door, it’s going to mean something. Hell, it meant something to us too. It meant something to him too, it was very difficult for him and his family. But, the decisions have to be about the team. It can’t be about just the individual, it has to be about the team. All I would say is, all I would ask is that they be patient to see over the next week and a half, whom — if I can not bite off more than I can chew. See if we get out of the portal what I think we can get. If we do, I think they’ll be very excited about that.”

The Hogs are set pretty good at certain positions for now. Pittman did list where the priorities would be.

“Offensive line would be one,” Pittman said. “Defensive line would be one. We felt like we were pretty good at the linebacker spots. if you go back and you look a year ago and the world was falling because we lost this linebacker, this linebacker, this linebacker. And I think we all agree that our linebacker room was a strength for us this year. So, that would be probably the least worried about. We need some safeties, need some corners, need some safeties. But I think O-line, tight ends, the big deal. Wide receivers. I mean, we’ve got several spots to fill, but off the top of my head, that’s who it would be.”

On the offensive line, adding McRoy was huge. The Razorbacks are also looking at several others including Ole Miss’ Kavion Broussard, 6-6, 290. He has a visit set to Georgia Tech Monday and then Arkansas on Thursday. Baylor offensive tackle Alvin Ebosele, 6-6, 312, was recruited to his school by Eric Mateos, who is now at Arkansas. Georgia Tech offensive tackle Corey Robinson II, 6-5, 305, has the Hogs on his list.

Other offensive linemen who have reported Arkansas offers are Bowling Green’s Alex Wollschaeger, 6-7, 305, Cal Poly’s Brady North, 6-3, 275, UCF’s Caden Kitler, 6-3, 295, UAB’s Delano Townsend, 6-5, 330, Wake Forest’s Nick Sharpe, 6-2, 335, and North Texas’ Tyler Mercer, 6-4, 290.

On the defensive line, two targets are on campus today. Michigan State’s Ken Talley, 6-3, 256, is at the school today and will leave Sunday. The Hogs will welcome in Abilene Christian defensive tackle David Oke, 6-3, 295, for an official visit. Talley had 6 tackles, 3 solo and 1.5 sacks this season. Oke finished with 64 tackles, 22 solo, 2 pass breakups, 2 sacks and 1 forced fumble this fall.

Getting Walker was big for the secondary. He can make a big impact in 2025. The Hogs are still awaiting word on Northwest Mississippi Community College cornerback Keshawn Davila, 6-1, 170. He isn’t from the portal, but took an official visit to Arkansas at the beginning of the week. He is down to Arkansas, Virginia Tech and UCLA. Davila was set to announce on Thursday but it didn’t happen.

Southern Miss’ cornerback Will James, 6-0, 185, visited earlier this week. He also has Houston and Louisville on his list. This season, James had 35 tackles, 21 solo, and 7 pass breakups

At tight end, the Hogs have hosted Northwest Missouri State’s Zach Atkins, 6-3, 245, and Texas A&M’s Jaden Platt, 6-5, 260. Atkins has Ole Miss, South Carolina and Colorado in addition to the Hogs. Platt is down to Arkansas and Florida State. Platt played for Bobby Petrino at A&M in 2023 and was committed to Stanford when Morgan Turner was an assistant there. The Hogs hope to sign three tight ends from the portal.

At wide receiver, the Razorbacks are looking to add at least four. They are in great shape with Fresno State’s Raylen Sharpe, 5-9, 165, and North Texas’ DT Sheffield, 5-10, 170. The Hogs are hosting Oklahoma wide receiver JJ Hester, 6-4, 202, today and Sunday for an official visit. The Hogs have offers out to Purdue’s 6-3, 214, Charlotte’s O’Mega Blake, 6-2, 180, Miami (Ohio) Reggie Virgil, 6-4, 190, and Fresno State’s Jalen Moss, 6-1, 175.

Sheffield caught 66 passes for 822 yards and 11 touchdowns. Sheffield rushed 4 times for 86 yards and a touchdown. Sharpe was 1 of 1 passing for 26 yards and a touchdown. He rushed 4 times for 67 yards. Sharpe caught 51 passes for 523 yards and 3 touchdowns. Hester caught 14 passes for 315 yards and 1 touchdown this season. Sharpe played for Petrino and Ronnie Fouch at Missouri State.

The Razorbacks will continue to host official visitors daily through next Sunday.