Trent Whalen talks pledge to Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE — Kent State linebacker Trent Whalen signed with Arkansas on Friday while on his official visit.

Whalen, 6-2 1/2, 235, played at Southern Utah in 2024. He transferred to Kent State at midterm, but when that school fired its head coach then Whalen went back into the portal. That led him to Arkansas.

“As I came down here, this coaching staff made it feel like home once I got here,” Whalen said. “I felt welcome. The coaching staff showed a bunch of support and I was ready to make my decision to come be a Hog.”

Whalen talked about when Arkansas made initial contact with him.

“It was about 4-5 days ago, so at the end of last week they got in contact,” Whalen said. “I decided to come on my visit, then from there, make it home.”

In 2024, Whalen had 46 tackles, 21 solo, 5.5 for loss, 0.5 sack, one forced fumble, three quarterback hurries and a pass breakup. He said several schools started recruiting him upon his entering the transfer portal.

“I was talking to a few different schools like Cal and Northwestern,” Whalen said. “Had a few different offers like New Mexico, New Mexico State, Arkansas State and a few schools.”

Some say the first impression is very important in anything. For Whalen the first impression of Arkansas is something he won’t forget.

“I loved it, I couldn’t believe how much love the coaching staff shows,” Whalen said. “And the surrounding area and community, I just couldn’t believe it.

“I would definitely say probably just how beautiful this place is. I loved how beautiful the community is, for sure.”

He plans to report to Arkansas in late May. Whalen admitted when Kent State fired its coach it did leave him scrambling for awhile.

“I had to make the best decision for myself,” Whalen said. “At the last program I was at, there was a lot of uncertainty and I decided to get back in the transfer portal and see if I can find a place that felt like home. It led me here and it definitely feels like home.”

Whalen also talked about who reached out to him from Arkansas and got the ball started for him to become a Razorback.

“Coach (Ryan) Bright,” Whalen said. “He’s a great guy. He got on the phone with me as soon as they reached out to me and told me what everything was. He really just kept it pretty straight forward. He came down here and showed that same love he showed over the phone. He’s a great coach, great guy and I definitely love what he stands for.”

Whalen is the first linebacker out of the transfer portal signed by the Hogs this season. The Razorbacks failed to sign a linebacker in the first portal opening.