Diagnosing Roster Needs for Razorbacks During Spring Portal
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — When it comes to adding impact transfers, Sam Pittman has done a masterful job of adding quality over quantity for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Going into his fifth — and most important season — he finds himself tasked with adding Flex Seal to a boat leak.
The patch may be temporary, but if it can help turn around a struggling program, then so be it. Additions like quarterback Taylen Green and defensive lineman Anton Juncaj have been great, but the Razorbacks need more. Linebacker is a huge question mark during the spring, and although Arkansas has a few young, talented pieces, the position could use at least one experienced transfer.
Brad Spence received a few snaps last season including a pick six in the season opener against Western Carolina.
"Going into this year my mindset really is just taking that leadership role for the young guys," Spence said. "I have to step up to the plate. [Defensive coordinator Travis Williams] was echoing this in the meetings, so for all our young guys it’s time to step up to the plate now and it’s a blessing for me to be a linebacker right now in this position."
Andy Hodges / allHOGS Images
Spence leads a group of underclassmen that includes Carson Dean, Kaden Henley, Alex Sanford and converted defensive back Julius Pope. The Razorbacks lost four linebackers to the transfer portal following in Chris Paul (Ole Miss), Jordan Crook (Arizona State), Jaheim Thomas (Wisconsin) and Manny Powell (UNLV).
A freshmen trio of Bradley Shaw, Wyatt Simmons and Justin Logan will join the team this summer.
Defensive tackle is another position of concern with depth issues. Super seniors Eric Gregory and Keivie Rose return for another season. Redshirt junior Cam Ball has been developed well and is a candidate for a breakout season. Redshirt freshman Ian Geffrard came to Arkansas a "biscuit short of 400 pounds" according to Pittman when the Georgia native arrived to Arkansas last summer. The 6-foot-5, 380 pounder has the size to be a run stuffer in the SEC.
Injuries to the offensive line has shortened the depth this spring. The Razorbacks are expected to add at least one more offensive lineman via the transfer portal this spring. SMU transfer Branson Hickman visited Fayetteville March 8, but will be at TCU this weekend. The 6-foot-3, 294 pounder is the No. 3 player currently available in the portal, per 247sports.
Former Georgia lineman Chad Lindberg could be a name to watch. He is a former 4-star prospect during the 2020 recruiting cycle and was ranked the No. 140 player in his class, per 247sports composite rankings.
Transfers have played key roles in each of the past four seasons for Arkansas. Notably, Feleipe Franks play at the quarterback position in 2020 helped the Razorbacks transition from the program's worst stretch of football since the Otis Douglass days.
Others like linebacker Drew Sanders, cornerback Dwight McGlothern and defensive end Landon Jackson have proven to be key additions over the past few seasons. Arkansas can hang its hat on portal success at the very least.
HOGS FEED:
• Team captain brings more to Razorbacks than just stability on the field
• Recapping day two of Arkansas' transfer portal activity
• Neighbors adds high-scoring guard from transfer portal
• Subscribe and follow us on YouTube
• Follow allHOGS on Twitter and Facebook
