Razorback Football: How will Arkansas finish off their roster through the portal?

Never stop recruiting.

That is the phrase that Sam Pittman and the Razorback Football program live by. Recruiting has been turned up a notch during the Pittman tenure as he’s brought in several elite recruiters to his staff this offseason.

The differences in recruiting now

Fayetteville has seen plenty of elite prospects at least come for a visit. It’s not only been just a pair every now and then but it seems like each week they wind up on a prospects top school list. In the past, Razorback Football has been included in lists with Arkansas State, Cincinnati and the UCF’s of the world for a period of time the past decade. Now, they are competing with the big boys like Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, Georgia and more.

It’s no more poor little Arkansas. Pittman and his staff have begun waking a sleeping giant in the world of college football. An attractive giant that can seduce just about anyone into its beauty.

Truthfully, it’s it longer just about the beauty alone in Fayetteville. Yeah, the God-created Ozarks is simply one of the more gorgeous views in the country. Razorback Stadium is a gem of a venue that hasn’t seen the amount of winning it deserves. After watching a football game at every angle imaginable inside the stadium there’s not a single bad spot to be a spectator.

NIL impact

However, NIL is the name of the game and there is nothing wrong with that. What it has done is attract players that simply never considered Arkansas as a real option. Fayetteville is now a destination for players looking for a second chance. It’s alluring to the transfers that need a fresh start and are looking to get to the league. All the while making money with their name, image and likeness.

In 2020, Arkansas added to their roster many that would add depth to the second string. But once NIL was passed before the 2021 season things began to shift in favor of the Razorbacks. John Ridgeway was one of the few college athletes to receive an NIL deal with WWE.

Then, the transfer class from 2022 was full of players who were able to start right away. NIL was also a huge help to allure high profile transfers like Drew Sanders, Dwight McGlothern, Latavious Brini, Jadon Haselwood and Landon Jackson.

This years class may be even deeper already and there’s still seven spots available. Arkansas has already added high level transfers like Jaheim Singletary, Jaheim Thomas, Anthony Booker, Trajan Jeffcoat, Tyrone Broden, Var’Keyes Gumms, Isaac TeSlaa, Al Walcott and many more.

So what other positions could the Razorback Football program target through the portal?

Defensive tackle

This is a position where you can’t have enough depth. Eric Gregory finally moved over from defensive end and will work his 300+ pound frame to the interior. The Memphis native has been an active piece of the Razorback line during his career with 77 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.

Taurean Carter was a critical piece moving forward on the defensive line before being injured last spring. The Mansfield, Texas product returns with the hope of getting back to pre-2022 form.

Arkansas has already received a commitment from Maryland transfer defensive tackle Anthony “Tank” Booker who committed in April. Booker had his best season last fall finishing with 27 tackles, 5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. The 6’4 325 defensive tackle will likely be leaned on heavily as a run stuffer.

It was believed Pittman will take a second defensive tackle out of the portal to improve depth.

Wide Receiver

If there’s one position the Razorbacks have been successful with over the past few off seasons it would be recruiting talented wideouts. Warren Thompson (2021), Jadon Haselwood (2022) and Matt Landers (2022) were critical pieces for the position.

So far, Arkansas has added Tyrone Broden, Isaac TeSlaa and Andrew Armstrong and looked very comfortable as possible while in transition. A familiar trend while recruiting the portal is most of them are 6’4-plus and that holds true this year.

After losing third year veteran wideout, Landon Rogers, to UNLV Arkansas will likely try to fill the void with another developmental receiver.

Safety

There was a pair of significant losses at this position when Jalen Catalon and Myles Slusher decided to leave Arkansas during the winter.

So far, Alfahiym Walcott has been added as the loan safety for the transfer class.

The highest rated high school recruit that the Razorbacks signed last season was Jaylon Braxton. The Frisco, Texas native impressed during the spring flying around and comfortable as an upperclassman.

However, Arkansas still needs another transfer safety for experience purposes. There are not many impact safeties in the portal right now so Pittman may decide to be picky about who they bring in.

The Razorbacks currently sit ninth in the 247sports transfer portal rankings. With plenty of time left to add to their roster during the summer months they could move up with a few quality transfers.