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Published Jan 8, 2020
Transfer options at quarterback for Arkansas
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Nikki Chavanelle  •  HawgBeat
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Nick Starkel's decision to transfer away from Arkansas despite having one more season available has put the Razorbacks in a precarious situation once again with just three scholarship quarterbacks on campus.

Arkansas is still working to sign a 2020 high school prospect but if they don't add anyone from the transfer portal, Kendal Briles is faced with the choice of playing a true freshman, redshirt freshman KJ Jefferson, redshirt sophomore John Stephen Jones or former walk-on Jack Lindsey.

The shape of the quarterback room necessitates Briles and the staff looking at every single available transfer option, whether immediately eligible or otherwise.

Here are some possible options for the Hogs:

Jamie Newman (6-4, 230): The former Wake Forest performer has placed himself in the transfer portal and is now being followed by Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman and OC Kendal Briles. Last year, Newman threw for 2,868 yards and 26 touchdowns with 11 interceptions for the eight-win Demon Deacons, who lost to Michigan State in the Pinstripe Bowl. He also rushed for 574 yards and six scores.

Update: Newman has enrolled this semester at Georgia after the departure of Jake Fromm, per UGASports. (1/9/20)

Feleipe Franks (6-6, 227): After four years at Florida, Feleipe Franks entered his name into the transfer portal as a graduate. Franks opened 2019 as Florida's starting quarterback but suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the team's win over Kentucky on Sept. 14 and lost his job to long-time backup Kyle Trask. He finished his Gators career with 4,593 yards, 38 touchdowns, 17 interceptions and a 59 percent completion rate.

Franks has been connected to Kansas and Les Miles, his former recruiter at LSU, since announcing his transfer news and was even reported to have visited Lawrence as well. Franks has also had communication with Arkansas.

D’Eriq King (5-11, 195): In September of his senior season, King opted to redshirt after four games with Houston. He announced on January 13th that he'd entered his name into the transfer portal despite previously stating his intent to stay with the Cougars. King obviously has ties to former Houston offensive coordinator, now Razorbacks coach Briles.

In the first four games he did play, King completed 58 of 110 passes for 663 yards and six touchdowns while rushing 55 times for 312 yards and six scores. In 2018, King started for Houston, completing 219 of 345 passes for 2,982 yards and 36 touchdowns, with six interceptions. He also rushed 111 times for 674 yards and 14 scores.

Being arguably one of the top two immediately eligible grad transfer quarterbacks on the market, every high profile team in the nation with need of one will make contact including Oklahoma, LSU, Miami, Arkansas and more. The only question that no one can seem to answer is can he enroll for the spring semester or will many fanbases have to wait months to see where he lands this summer?

K.J. Costello (6-5, 222): The former Stanford is another player already in the transfer portal. Costello began the season as the starter for the Cardinal but played just five games due to injuries (shoulder, concussion, thumb). He completed 102 of 167 passes for 1,038 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions. In 2018, Costello completed 269 of 413 passes for 3,540 yards with 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Anthony Brown (6-1, 210): The former Boston College quarterback started the first six games for the Eagles before going down with a knee injury, completing 81 of 137 passes for 1,250 yards and six touchdowns before his season ended. His best season came as a sophomore in 2018. He was 158-of-285 passing for 2,121 yards and 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He took over as Boston College’s starter as a freshman in 2017 before suffering his first of two season-ending knee injuries.

Phil Jurkovec (6-4, 227): After Notre Dame senior Ian Book announced he'd return for a fifth year, former 4-star quarterback and redshirt freshman Phil Jurkovec entered the transfer portal. Jurkovec appeared in six games this season, mainly in blowout wins (and a blowout defeat at Michigan). He completed 12 of 16 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns, and added 22 carries for 130 yards (5.9 yards per carry). Jurkovec would have to sit one but would have two years left to play two.

Update: Jurkovec is headed to Boston College and will seek immediate eligibility. (1/11/20)

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