HawgBeat - Updated HawgBeat Transfer Portal Hot Board: Offense
A full in-depth breakdown of players that Sam Pittman and the Arkansas Razorbacks are targeting in the transfer portal.
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After a disappointing 4-8 (1-7 SEC) season, head coach Sam Pittman and the Arkansas Razorbacks have the daunting task of revamping the roster to be more competitive in 2024.
One major way of tackling that problem is using the NCAA transfer portal. With an open window from Dec. 4 to Jan. 2, 2024, there will be plenty of time for the Hogs to contact and land difference makers ahead of next season.
With an ever-changing landscape that can be difficult to keep track of, HawgBeat has decided to put together an in-depth list of players receiving interests from coaches, assistants and staff members. We break it down with a hot board, players with Arkansas interest and more.
RELATED:
Arkansas Football 2024 Roster Tracker
Arkansas transfer portal offer tracker
Offense Hot Board
QUARTERBACK:
Quarterback transfers
| Player (2023 PFF Grade) | Status | School | Classification in 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taylen Green (68.0) | Committed | Boise State | Redshirt Junior |
- Green committed to the Hogs on Dec. 11, and he should be the only portal pickup at the quarterback position for Arkansas.
RUNNING BACK:
Running Back transfers
| Player (2023 PFF Grade) | Status | School | Classification in 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ja'Quinden Jackson (82.0) | Cool | Utah | Junior |
| George Pettaway (61.6) | Cool | North Carolina | Redshirt Sophomore |
- Arkansas is likely looking for one running back from the portal, but there hasn't been a ton of movement at the position for the Hogs lately.
- Jackson is a native of Dallas and racked up 797 yards and four touchdowns this season for Utah. At 6-foot-2, 228-pounds, he has the kind of size needed to run in the SEC.
- Pettaway didn't receive much playing time in 2023 but is a smaller, shifter back that the Razorbacks may be leaning towards. He was once the No. 90 overall player in the nation in the class of 2022 according to Rivals.
WIDE RECEIVER:
Wide Receiver transfers
| Player (2023 PFF Grade) | Status | School | Classification in 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Anthony (57.4) | Warm | Texas A&M | Junior |
| LaJohntay Wester (83.4) | Cool | FAU | Super Senior |
- Anthony has confirmed to HawgBeat that he'll be visiting the Hogs in early January. The former Kentucky Wildcat caught three passes for 14 yards for the Aggies in 2023.
- Wester, a Florida native, caught 108 passes for 1,168 yards and eight touchdowns in 2023.
TIGHT END:
Tight End transfers
| Player (2023 PFF Grade) | Status | School | Classification in 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andreas Paaske (49.2) | Committed | Eastern Michigan | Senior |
| Ben Yurosek (63.1) | Cool | Stanford | Super Senior |
| Cole Schnieder | Cool | Tiffin University | Junior |
- Paaske is already commited to the Hogs, and will likely be the only portal pickup for the Hogs at the tight end position.
- Yurosek is a very intriguing option, as he comes from the same school that current Arkansas tight end coach Morgan Turner once coached at. This season, Yurosek caught 16 passes for 239 yards and a touchdown. However, under Turner's tutelage, Yurosek combined for 91 catches, 1,098 yards and four touchdowns in two seasons.
- Schnieder confirmed to HawgBeat that he has been in contact with the Arkansas coaching staff. At 6-foot-3, 240-pounds, he caught 27 passes for 267 yards and a touchdown in 2023 for Tiffin University.
OFFENSIVE LINE:
Offensive Line transfers
| Player (2023 PFF Grade) | Status | School | Classification in 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keyshawn Blackstock (61.1) | Committed | Michigan State | Redshirt Junior |
| Fernando Carmona Jr. (81.3) | Committed | San Jose State | Junior |
| Addison Nichols (61.3) | Committed | Tennessee | Redshirt Sophomore |
| Micah Mazzccua (69.0) | Hot | Florida | Senior |
| Percy Lewis (66.6) | Warm | Mississippi State | Super Senior |
| Michael Tarquin (62.8) | Cool | USC | Grad Senior |
- Arkansas is likely looking to add 1-2 more offensive linemen with Blackstock, Carmona and Nichols already in the fold.
- Mazzccua has been a consistent mainstay at the guard position everywhere he's been. Once a Baylor Bear, Mazzccua has a connection with Arkansas offensive line coach Eric Mateos and is friends with defensive back Lorando Johnson. Mazzccua is one to keep an eye on for a visit in January.
- Lewis recently released a top eight that consisted of Arkansas, Auburn, Ole Miss, South Carolina, California, Memphis, Florida State and Georgia. An excellent pass protector, Lewis would fill an immediate need and give the Hogs their second big-time tackle transfer commitment along with Carmona.
COACHING STAFF FOLLOWS:
Coach Follows
| Player, position | Followed By | School |
|---|---|---|
| Dante Dowdell, RB | Bobby Petrino | Oregon |
| Rashad Amos, RB | Bobby Petrino | Miami (OH) |
| Ahmari Huggins, WR | Miles Fishback | Louisville |
| Raphael Williams Jr., WR | Miles Fishback | San Diego State |
| Peny Boone, RB | Miles Fishback | Toledo |
| Ze'Vian Capers, WR | Miles Fishback | Western Kentucky |
| Dontae Lucas, OL | Eric Mateos | South Alabama |
| Evan Stewart, WR | Derek Kief | Texas A&M |
