Portal Roundup: How Hogs Have Fared Through Two Weeks

Who is potentially still left on the table for the Arkansas Razorbacks to pick up?

Author:
Jacob Davis
Publish date:
Dec 19, 2023 11:01 AM EST

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Razorbacks have lost 14 players to the transfer portal this offseason. Notably, Chris ‘Pooh’ Paul being the most surprising departure so far as he was considered one of the best linebackers on the roster.

Other impactful transfers are three-year starting quarterback, KJ Jefferson, who leaves Arkansas as the most decorated passer in program history. Despite his success with the Razorbacks, 247sports ranks him as the No. 20 quarterback in the portal.

Raheim Sanders will head to South Carolina in 2024 where he will be closer to his family and hit the reset button on his college career. He was considered a first found selection in the NFL Draft coming into the season due to his stellar 1400 yard, 10 touchdown performance in 2022. The Arkansas offensive line struggled mightily during the season which contributed to Sanders’ lack of success rushing. Plus, a nagging knee injury kept him off the field for half the season.

The Razorbacks currently hovering around, give or take, 77 scholarship players on the roster moving forward when adding incoming freshman and transfers. Arkansas is still on several uncommitted transfers to potentially fill eight spots.

Xavian Sorey, LB
^Georgia

News leaked that the former 5-star in the 2021 class is one of the top players in the transfer portal. This past season saw his production rise with a career high 19 tackles, one sack and a pass breakup for the Bulldogs.

At this time, Sorey has not visited elsewhere and that should be good news for Arkansas.

Nyland Green, DB
^Georgia

The former Top 20 player in the 2021 class didn't get on the field during his career with the Bulldogs, Green still possesses plenty of talent. The former Georgia defensive back visited North Carolina and Arkansas last week but no timeline for an announcement is known.

Addison Nichols, OL
^Tennessee

The Hogs are in need of offensive linemen and Nichols certainly fits the need whether at guard or center. He possesses exceptional size at 6-foot-5, 327 pounds and was considered the No. 180 ranked prospect in the nation for the 2022 class, according to 247sports.

Expected to arrive on Friday evening, Nichols received a fair Pro Football Focus grade of 61.3 for his performance in 2023.

The Georgia native was expected to contribute to the Volunteers offensive line in 2023 with an injury to starting center Cooper Mays while also receiving snaps at left guard but couldn't nab a consistent starting role. Nichols contributed primarily on special teams while at Tennessee.

Nichols visited Arkansas over the weekend but it’s been quiet in his camp since leaving campus.

Transfers Visited, But Committed Elsewhere

Kansas State’s Kobe Savage visited Oregon over the weekend and may not make it to Fayetteville for an official visit. The former JUCO defensive back had a breakout season for the Wildcats last year recording 55 tackles and forcing three interceptions.

Another Kansas State defender in edge rusher Nathan Matlack committed to Pitt over the weekend. He visited the Razorbacks the weekend of December 9. Matlack was a situational defensive end playing limited but productive snaps recording 39 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, three pass deflections, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery over three seasons.