I wouldn't call this a "big board" because I'm not sure the pecking order of these guys, but they'd all make a lot of sense, IMO...
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Arkansas made some early noise in the transfer portal, landing a pair of highly regarded players before the early signing period, but it’s been pretty quiet since then.
Assuming unsigned safety commit Myles Rowser signs in February, with is expected, the Razorbacks will have room to add up to five more players in the 2022 class and many expect them to do so via the portal.
They may choose to save some of those spots for after spring ball, when there will likely be another wave of transfers, but there are plenty of solid options currently available.
Here’s a look at 10 potential transfers HawgBeat could see joining Oklahoma wide receiver Jadon Haselwood and LSU defensive end Landon Jackson at Arkansas…
DT Jaxon Player - Tulsa
This is an obvious inclusion on the list, as Player recently included Arkansas in his top five, along with Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Baylor and TCU. A two-time All-AAC performer, he has been a disruptive force in the middle of Tulsa’s defensive line the last two seasons, racking up 86 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, 7 sacks and 12 quarterback hurries in 22 games.
One thing working in the Razorbacks’ favor is their defensive line coach, Jermial Ashley, was previously at Tulsa and actually recruited Player for the Golden Hurricanes. With John Ridgeway and Markell Utsey leaving, they also have a void at defensive tackle, meaning there are a lot of snaps up for grabs.
DT Mekhi Wingo - Missouri
Arkansas could also go back to the Missouri pipeline for another potential replacement for Ridgeway and Utsey. Wingo was a Freshman All-SEC performer for the Tigers in 2021 before entering the portal. He has included the Razorbacks in his top four, along with LSU, Oklahoma and USC.
Although Arkansas is the only one of those four schools who also offered him out of high school, LSU is widely considered the team to beat because it recently hired his high school coach - Robert Steeples - as a defensive assistant. Getting him would be big for the Razorbacks, as he posted a 73.1 PFF grade on 460 snaps as a true freshman in the SEC.
DE Ochaun Mathis - TCU
Having already landed Jackson from LSU, it’s unclear if the Razorbacks would pursue another transfer defensive end. If they choose to do so, though, Mathis - who entered the portal Wednesday - would be a pass rusher worthy of going after.
The Manor, Texas, native was a three-year starter for the Horned Frogs and - thanks to the COVID eligibility relief - would technically have two years to play. He racked up 129 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks over the last three seasons, as well as 96 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
LB Drew Sanders - Alabama
Entering the portal after the Crimson Tide lost in the national championship game, Sanders became the subject of excitement among Arkansas fans this week when he followed Sam Pittman, Barry Odom, Michael Scherer and Andrew Parker on Twitter.
The Razorbacks would presumably be open to adding a transfer linebacker to play alongside Bumper Pool and Sanders would be a good one. He was a 6.0 four-star prospect and No. 37 overall recruit in the Class of 2020 and even started three games - because of an injury - for the Crimson Tide as a sophomore this year.
LB Cam Bright - Pitt
If Arkansas wanted a more experienced option at linebacker, Bright would fit check that requirement. In five seasons at Pitt, he played 1,734 career snaps, including 500-plus each of the last three years.
A lightly recruited low three-star prospect from Montgomery, Ala., in the 2017 class, Bright could potentially be looking to get back into SEC territory. He made 165 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks over the last three seasons, earning impressive 76.5 and 78.7 PFF grades in 2019 and 2020 before dipping down to 62.1 this year.
CB Dwight McGlothern Jr. - LSU
Heavily recruited by the previous staff, McGlothern actually took an official visit to Arkansas during the 2019 season. However, the Houston native ultimately chose LSU over the Razorbacks and fellow finalists USC, Oregon and Virginia Tech.
That coaching staff is gone, but perhaps he’d like to stay in the SEC after starting six games for the Tigers as a sophomore, when he earned a 69.3 PFF grade on 523 snaps. With Montaric Brown heading to the NFL, the Razorbacks could be in the market for immediate help at cornerback and McGlothern would make a lot of sense.
CB Latrell McCutchin - Oklahoma
Another young option at cornerback is McCutchin, as he entered the portal following his true freshman season at Oklahoma this year. Despite it being his first year, he did start one game and played 186 total defensive snaps for the Sooners. PFF gave him a 65.9 grade on those snaps.
However, McCutchin - a top-100 prospect in the 2021 class - was originally committed to Alabama for about nine months before flipping to Oklahoma. That may lead to him considering the Crimson Tide, but one school he won’t consider is Texas. Despite being from Austin, McCutchin sent a couple of tweets to shoot down those rumors Wednesday.
CB Ameer Speed - Georgia
If the Razorbacks would rather bring in more short-term help at cornerback, Speed is a logical option. A former 5.7 three-star recruit, he was a fifth-year senior in 2021 and has just one year of eligibility remaining.
He played a career-high 181 snaps this season, even starting three games for the Bulldogs, and has 336 career defensive snaps, consistently earning season PFF grades in the 65-67 range. Considering Pittman was at Georgia before coming to Arkansas, he would likely know whether or not Speed is worth bringing in for one year.
DB Jalen Jordan - Ole Miss
Although he didn’t play much other than special teams this season, Jordan was a significant contributor on the Rebels’ defense in 2020. He actually started six games at Ole Miss’ “star” position, which is the nickel. With Greg Brooks Jr. leaving, Jordan might be someone with SEC experience to fill that spot.
Even though Ole Miss’ defense was terrible in 2020, Jordan earned a respectable 64.3 PFF grade as a sophomore. That’s actually higher than Brooks’ grade as a junior this season (62.3). He was officially credited with 53 tackles that season.
S Chris Edmonds - Samford
The Razorbacks had success with a transfer from the FCS ranks this season, as Ridgeway earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl, so they could go that route again for some secondary help. Edmonds enjoyed a breakout season in the spring of 2021, earning first-team All-American honors as a sophomore. He was also a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award as the top defensive player in the FCS. In just seven games, he had 40 tackles and four interceptions.
He didn’t get the same postseason recognition for his fall campaign, but Edmonds did add another three interceptions in 11 games and his PFF grade actually increased from 68.5 in the spring to 71.2 in the fall. While the most recent offers he’s shared on Twitter are from schools like Akron and Buffalo, he did tweet about offers from Georgia Tech, Missouri and Boston College last month.
10 potential portal targets for Arkansas
HawgBeat looks at 10 potential transfers Arkansas might consider pursuing from the portal.
Arkansas made some early noise in the transfer portal, landing a pair of highly regarded players before the early signing period, but it’s been pretty quiet since then.
Assuming unsigned safety commit Myles Rowser signs in February, with is expected, the Razorbacks will have room to add up to five more players in the 2022 class and many expect them to do so via the portal.
They may choose to save some of those spots for after spring ball, when there will likely be another wave of transfers, but there are plenty of solid options currently available.
Here’s a look at 10 potential transfers HawgBeat could see joining Oklahoma wide receiver Jadon Haselwood and LSU defensive end Landon Jackson at Arkansas…
DT Jaxon Player - Tulsa
This is an obvious inclusion on the list, as Player recently included Arkansas in his top five, along with Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Baylor and TCU. A two-time All-AAC performer, he has been a disruptive force in the middle of Tulsa’s defensive line the last two seasons, racking up 86 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, 7 sacks and 12 quarterback hurries in 22 games.
One thing working in the Razorbacks’ favor is their defensive line coach, Jermial Ashley, was previously at Tulsa and actually recruited Player for the Golden Hurricanes. With John Ridgeway and Markell Utsey leaving, they also have a void at defensive tackle, meaning there are a lot of snaps up for grabs.
DT Mekhi Wingo - Missouri
Arkansas could also go back to the Missouri pipeline for another potential replacement for Ridgeway and Utsey. Wingo was a Freshman All-SEC performer for the Tigers in 2021 before entering the portal. He has included the Razorbacks in his top four, along with LSU, Oklahoma and USC.
Although Arkansas is the only one of those four schools who also offered him out of high school, LSU is widely considered the team to beat because it recently hired his high school coach - Robert Steeples - as a defensive assistant. Getting him would be big for the Razorbacks, as he posted a 73.1 PFF grade on 460 snaps as a true freshman in the SEC.
DE Ochaun Mathis - TCU
Having already landed Jackson from LSU, it’s unclear if the Razorbacks would pursue another transfer defensive end. If they choose to do so, though, Mathis - who entered the portal Wednesday - would be a pass rusher worthy of going after.
The Manor, Texas, native was a three-year starter for the Horned Frogs and - thanks to the COVID eligibility relief - would technically have two years to play. He racked up 129 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks over the last three seasons, as well as 96 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
LB Drew Sanders - Alabama
Entering the portal after the Crimson Tide lost in the national championship game, Sanders became the subject of excitement among Arkansas fans this week when he followed Sam Pittman, Barry Odom, Michael Scherer and Andrew Parker on Twitter.
The Razorbacks would presumably be open to adding a transfer linebacker to play alongside Bumper Pool and Sanders would be a good one. He was a 6.0 four-star prospect and No. 37 overall recruit in the Class of 2020 and even started three games - because of an injury - for the Crimson Tide as a sophomore this year.
LB Cam Bright - Pitt
If Arkansas wanted a more experienced option at linebacker, Bright would fit check that requirement. In five seasons at Pitt, he played 1,734 career snaps, including 500-plus each of the last three years.
A lightly recruited low three-star prospect from Montgomery, Ala., in the 2017 class, Bright could potentially be looking to get back into SEC territory. He made 165 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks over the last three seasons, earning impressive 76.5 and 78.7 PFF grades in 2019 and 2020 before dipping down to 62.1 this year.
CB Dwight McGlothern Jr. - LSU
Heavily recruited by the previous staff, McGlothern actually took an official visit to Arkansas during the 2019 season. However, the Houston native ultimately chose LSU over the Razorbacks and fellow finalists USC, Oregon and Virginia Tech.
That coaching staff is gone, but perhaps he’d like to stay in the SEC after starting six games for the Tigers as a sophomore, when he earned a 69.3 PFF grade on 523 snaps. With Montaric Brown heading to the NFL, the Razorbacks could be in the market for immediate help at cornerback and McGlothern would make a lot of sense.
CB Latrell McCutchin - Oklahoma
Another young option at cornerback is McCutchin, as he entered the portal following his true freshman season at Oklahoma this year. Despite it being his first year, he did start one game and played 186 total defensive snaps for the Sooners. PFF gave him a 65.9 grade on those snaps.
However, McCutchin - a top-100 prospect in the 2021 class - was originally committed to Alabama for about nine months before flipping to Oklahoma. That may lead to him considering the Crimson Tide, but one school he won’t consider is Texas. Despite being from Austin, McCutchin sent a couple of tweets to shoot down those rumors Wednesday.
CB Ameer Speed - Georgia
If the Razorbacks would rather bring in more short-term help at cornerback, Speed is a logical option. A former 5.7 three-star recruit, he was a fifth-year senior in 2021 and has just one year of eligibility remaining.
He played a career-high 181 snaps this season, even starting three games for the Bulldogs, and has 336 career defensive snaps, consistently earning season PFF grades in the 65-67 range. Considering Pittman was at Georgia before coming to Arkansas, he would likely know whether or not Speed is worth bringing in for one year.
DB Jalen Jordan - Ole Miss
Although he didn’t play much other than special teams this season, Jordan was a significant contributor on the Rebels’ defense in 2020. He actually started six games at Ole Miss’ “star” position, which is the nickel. With Greg Brooks Jr. leaving, Jordan might be someone with SEC experience to fill that spot.
Even though Ole Miss’ defense was terrible in 2020, Jordan earned a respectable 64.3 PFF grade as a sophomore. That’s actually higher than Brooks’ grade as a junior this season (62.3). He was officially credited with 53 tackles that season.
S Chris Edmonds - Samford
The Razorbacks had success with a transfer from the FCS ranks this season, as Ridgeway earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl, so they could go that route again for some secondary help. Edmonds enjoyed a breakout season in the spring of 2021, earning first-team All-American honors as a sophomore. He was also a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award as the top defensive player in the FCS. In just seven games, he had 40 tackles and four interceptions.
He didn’t get the same postseason recognition for his fall campaign, but Edmonds did add another three interceptions in 11 games and his PFF grade actually increased from 68.5 in the spring to 71.2 in the fall. While the most recent offers he’s shared on Twitter are from schools like Akron and Buffalo, he did tweet about offers from Georgia Tech, Missouri and Boston College last month.
