How many Arkansas players will be selected in 2024 NFL Draft?

It’s a serious question when thinking about it. Sam Pittman has fully rebuilt the Arkansas Razorback roster from the ground up since becoming head coach four years ago.

The first time head coach has seen six players drafted during his time at Arkansas. He had three drafted in 2022, two in 2023 and one in 2021.

Going into the 2023 season this is possibly the deepest team Pittman has assembled at Arkansas. Will that equate to more victories? We will see but there is NFL quality talent sprinkled throughout the roster.

Arkansas has only seen six players selected in one draft twice since the turn of the century. Those two times happens in 2004 and 2008.

2004: Ahmad Carroll, Caleb Miller, Tony Bua, Shawn Andrews, Bo Lacy and Cedric Cobbs

2008: Darren McFadden, Felix Jones, Nate Garner, Peyton Hillis and Marcus Monk

Obviously, both of those teams were successful and won at least eight games, respectively.

Right away, there’s a few players currently on the Razorback football roster that are considered NFL prospects next year.

The list has to start with quarterback KJ Jefferson who has been Arkansas’ starter since the 2020 season finale against Missouri. Jefferson is as physically impressive as they come at 6’3 237 pounds. He throws a beautiful deep ball and should develop nicely during his senior year with the help of new offensive coordinator Dan Enos.

Running back, Raheim Sanders came to Arkansas as a wide receiver before switching to running back before the 2021 season. As a freshman, Sanders showed future stardom in the college ranks. Now, he’s believed to be a top three returning talent going into the season, according to ESPN.

The man also known as “Rocket” still has a season of eligibility remaining. However, the shelf life on great running backs in the NFL is short and Sanders could opt for the NFL after the 2023 season.

Another player to watch for is Dwight McGlothern. He enters his second season as a Razorback defensive back after transferring from LSU last spring. The ball hawk had a quality season at a position Arkansas struggled mightily with in 2022.

He recorded a career high 52 tackles, 4 interceptions and 14 pass deflections last season. McGlothern was considered a shutdown corner last year and could be even better this fall.

Alfahiyim Walcott transfers in from Baylor for his final ride in college. He had a solid season at Baylor in 2022 where he earned second-Team All-Big 12 honors from the Associated Press and Pro Football Network.

He finished the year ranked second on the team with 82 tackles, including 10 tackles for a loss and two sacks to go with three forced fumbles, one interception and four pass breakups.

There were a lot of defensive tackles taken in this year’s draft in the first three rounds. Arkansas has a young one in Cam Ball that could rise up mock drafts and sneak up on scouts this season.

The 6’5 311 pound Atlanta, Georgia native already boasts the physical tools that NFL folks love. Ball had a breakout redshirt freshman campaign where he recorded 31 stops, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack and a forced fumble.

Continuing on the NFL defensive line prospects Landon Jackson really jumps off the page. He had a very good spring where he is active off the line with a great twitch and first step. Jackson was consistently in the Arkansas backfield throughout the spring scrimmage.

When Jackson announced he would transfer to Arkansas he was recovering from an ACL tear during his freshman season at LSU. If he has the kind of 2023 season he showed he could have in the spring he’ll be drafted next April.

Just when you think Arkansas’ run of quality linebackers is over they find another. Chris “Pooh” Paul fits the mold of linebackers in the current NFL landscape. At 6’1 230 pounds, Paul can move and capably tackle in the gaps without much resistance. He can also tackle extremely well in space with speed to cover the edges.

Paul finished in the top five in tackles with 62, eight tackles for loss and four sacks. As a full time starter Paul could show out enough to gain the eye of scouts if he hasn’t already.

Beaux Limmer has been a mainstay on the offensive line for many seasons for Arkansas. He is the strongest player on the roster and has adequate size to make an NFL roster at 6’5 306 pounds.

OTHERS TO WATCH: Trajan Jeffcoat, John Morgan, Taurean Carter and Anthony Booker