Arkansas football started the spring transfer portal window off with a bang this weekend, as the program signed four players to bolster the 2025 roster.
Those transfers, Stanford defensive back Julian Neal, Maine safety Shakur Smalls, Troy pass-rusher Phillip Lee and Kent State linebacker Trent Whalen, answered serious needs for the Razorbacks' defense.
Coach Sam Pittman said on April 15 that, "if the money stretches", the Razorbacks would look to add five transfers on the defensive side. They've already added four in two secondary members, an edge and a linebacker, so the last obvious hole is at defensive tackle.
That's not to say that Arkansas doesn't have capable interior defensive linemen on the roster. Redshirt senior Cam Ball is a proven returner, senior Danny Saili has seemingly transformed this offseason, redshirt sophomore Ian Geffrard has an SEC frame and senior David Oke was productive at Abilene Christian last year, but one more helper won't hurt in an SEC trench.
Though no transfer names have been connected to Arkansas yet, one that makes a ton of sense is Indiana defensive tackle Marcus Burris Jr. A 6-foot-5, 286-pound native of Texarkana, Texas, Burris was teammates with former Hog Landon Jackson in the class of 2021 at Pleasant Grove High School.
The former four-star prospect began his career at Texas A&M before transferring to Indiana, where he totaled 34 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks in two seasons.
What about on offense? Well, according to Pittman, the plan is to not make any more additions on that side of the ball, unless a major contributor leaves the team. The only position that might make sense to add to is wide receiver.
"I’m not saying that we would not take an offensive guy out of the portal," Pittman said. "I’m not saying that. Depends on who goes out, too. If we have a scholarship at a wide receiver or something like that, would we take one? Absolutely. But right now, we’re at 85 scholarships, and so before you can replace a scholarship, somebody has got to go in the portal."
Pittman's last point is a valid one. According to HawgBeat's count, Arkansas' scholarship total currently sits at 90 (45 offense, 42 defense, three special teams). That's assuming wide receiver Jordan Anthony, who is listed on Arkansas' online roster and also runs track for the Hogs, sticks around as a scholarship athlete on the football team.
SEC teams can only have 85 scholarship players on the roster for the 2025 season, so the Razorbacks have to come out with five net losses this spring. The only player so far to enter the portal is freshman defensive back Quentin Murphy, but more should be expected over the coming days.
To keep up with Arkansas football's additions and losses this spring, be sure to follow along at The Trough premium message board.
