By Tony Thomas
The Arkansas Razorbacks are coming off a 4-8 season in 2023 and just one conference win, a 39-36 win on the road at Florida. Arkansas lost several key players to the transfer portal, most notably QB KJ Jefferson, RB Rocket Sanders, and LB Jaheim Thomas.
However, Head Coach Sam Pittman found a few talented football players of his own via the portal, including three that will make an impact this season.
QB Taylen Green
Previous School: Boise State Broncos
6’6”, 221 lbs.
In 2023, Taylen Green led Boise State to the Mountain West Conference Championship after accounting for over 2,000 yards of total offense and 20 total touchdowns.
In the MWC Championship Game, Green accounted for four touchdowns and over 300 yards of total offense in a 44-20 win over UNLV, and earning the game’s Offensive MVP for his efforts. By all reports, Green is taking QB1 reps in spring practice.
RB Ja’Quinden Jackson
Previous School: Utah Utes
6’2”, 228 lbs.
As the Utes leading rusher in 2023, Ja’Quinden Jackson rushed for 797 yards and four touchdowns, breaking the 100-yard rushing mark in a game three times last season. Against Baylor, Jackson gained a season-high 129 yards on 19 carries (6.79-yard average) in a 20-13 win over the Bears.
For his collegiate career, Jackson has gained 1,358 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns. He will help to lessen the blow of losing Sanders as his production was more than any returning running back for the Hogs last season.
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CB Marquise Robinson
Previous School: South Alabama Jaguars
6’2”, 185 lbs.
Last season, Marquise Robinson recorded 36 tackles and picked off three passes for South Alabama. In addition, Robinson tallied 2.5 tackles for loss and broke up three passes. Combined, he has 64 tackles in two seasons of college ball. Robinson provides depth to a defensive secondary that ranked 4th in the SEC in pass defense and ranked 3rd in INTs with 12.
The Razorbacks welcome back “super seniors” DB Hudson Clark and DB Kee’Yon Stewart. Clark was 5th on the team with 51 tackles, one INT, 4.5 tackles for loss, and four pass breakups. Stewart recorded 10 tackles last season.
On the offensive side of the ball, Arkansas returns three wide receivers for presumed QB1 starter Green to throw to. Andrew Armstrong, Isaac TeSlaa, and Tyrone Bolden combined for 106 catches, 1,224 yards, and 10 touchdowns last season.
Can Sam Pittman right the ship and get to a winning season in his 5th year in Fayetteville? A winning season has occurred only twice in the last five years. five of the eight losses last season were by 7 points or less, so the Hogs were in most games. With the returning starters and impact transfers listed above, the Razorbacks should improve enough in the win column to become bowl-eligible and secure a winning season, their first since a 7-6 record in 2022.
