HawgBeat - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Woods (80.1) | Warm | Idaho | Junior |
| Tawee Walker (83.1) | Cool | Oklahoma | Senior |
| Dante Dowdell (79.5) | Cool | Oregon | Sophomore |
- Woods is the only uncommitted running back that Arkansas has offered in the portal. He rushed for 1,131 yards and 16 touchdowns on 207 carries in 2023.
- Walker is a former walk-on for the Sooners but had a career-season in 2023, as he racked up 496 yards and seven touchdowns on 95 carries.
- Dowdell was recruited by Arkansas out of high school, so that connection already exists. The freshman carried it 17 times for 90 yards and a touchdown in 2023.
WIDE RECEIVER:
Wide Receiver transfers
| Player (2023 PFF Grade) | Status | School | Classification in 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ja'Varrius Johnson (77.9) | Cool | Auburn | Super Senior |
| LaJohntay Wester (83.4) | Cool | FAU | Super Senior |
- Johnson and Wester both picked up follows from the coaching staff and are names of interest. Johnson brought in 19 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns, while Wester totaled 1,168 yards and eight touchdowns on 108 receptions.
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 |
- 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.
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) | Hot | Tennessee | Redshirt Sophomore |
| Michael Tarquin (62.8) | Warm | USC | Grad Senior |
| Remington Strickland (65.4) | Cool | Texas A&M | Junior |
| Omarrian Aigbedion (90.0) | Cool | Montana State | Junior |
| Aliou Bah (65.0) | Cool | Georgia | Redshirt Sophomore |
| Geno VanDeMark (59.1) | Cool | Michigan State | Redshirt Junior |
-VanDeMark, Strickland and Aigbedion all have Arkansas offers but have visited other programs and don't seem to be prioritizing the Hogs at the moment.
- Nichols visited Arkansas on Saturday and is looked at as someone who could play the center position for the Hogs.
- Though Tarquin hasn't received an offer, one could be on the way. Once a transfer from Florida, Tarquin and current Arkansas guard Joshua Braun are good friends from their time spent with the Gators.
- Bah picked up some follows from the coaching staff and could be an intriguing add despite his lack of playing time. The former four-star prospect was offered by Arkansas out of high school.
COACHING STAFF FOLLOWS:
Coach Follows
| Player, position | Followed By | School |
|---|---|---|
| Mario Williams, WR | Miles Fishback | USC |
| Kyle Williams, WR | Miles Fishback | Washington State |
| Shane Bumgardner, OL | Ohio | Eric Mateos |
| Nick Reimer, OL | Merrimack | Eric Mateos |
| Jaden Bray, WR | Oklahoma State | Derek Kief |
| Lyndon Cooper, OL | NC State | Sean Fogarty |
| Pearson Toomey, OL | Furman | Sean Fogarty |
