FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Missouri State outfielder Zack Stewart, once the top prospect in his home state, announced Tuesday that he’s transferring to Arkansas, a move that could reshape Dave Van Horn’s outfield just as the program prepares for another run at Omaha.
With the Razorbacks facing significant turnover in its outfield and high expectations from both fans and coaching staff.
Next Chapter! @RazorbackBSB pic.twitter.com/nrkT8i74LN
— Zack Stewart (@ZackStewart25) July 1, 2025
Stewart, who stands 6-foot-2, emerged as a candidate for either corner outfield spot. His commitment marks the first outfield addition for the Hogs via the transfer portal this offseason, and his reputation precedes him.
Stewart was previously ranked as Missouri’s No. 1 overall prospect, just ahead of current Razorback Reese Robinett, who was ranked fourth in the same class.
While Stewart’s production dipped in 2025, the Razorbacks are betting on his tools and upside as they look to reload a roster that could lose all three starting outfielders to the MLB Draft or graduation.
The transfer comes amid a broader trend in college baseball, where top programs have come to rely on the portal as much as high school recruiting.
Dave Van Horn, entering his 23rd season as Arkansas’s coach, has become known for his ability to retool quickly.
“The transfer portal is tough,” Van Horn admitted recently. “I have mixed emotions on it. First off, as a coach, you recruit a kid. You’d like to keep them, but sometimes, moving on is best for everyone.”
Van Horn has used the portal to revamp his outfield in each of the past two years, and the 2025 transfer class is already drawing national attention.
The Razorbacks’ incoming portal class ranks No. 2 in the country, according to Baseball America. Stewart’s arrival is expected to strengthen a roster that saw its depth tested during the 2024 season, especially as the Razorbacks made a push for the College World Series.
The need for reinforcements was clear. Arkansas’s outfield is in flux after the departures of key veterans.
Logan Maxwell exhausted his eligibility, and both Jared Wegner and Jace Bohrofen are draft-eligible. In this context, Stewart’s experience and versatility are seen as assets.
“It’s time for them to make their move and leave their mark on this program. My expectations are the same as the team. We need to get better every week,” Van Horn said of his newcomers.
Stewart’s career at Missouri State showcased both promise and adversity. After earning all-conference honors as a sophomore and drawing attention for his power and arm strength, Stewart battled through a challenging junior season.
His batting average dipped, but scouts remain intrigued by his athleticism and ability to play multiple outfield positions.
Van Horn, for his part, has not shied away from high expectations. The Razorbacks reached the 50-win mark for the first time in his tenure last year, and the sense is that the program remains just one breakthrough away from a national championship.
“Winning that elusive national championship is the only thing left,” wrote one local columnist, capturing the mood around Fayetteville.
Stewart’s transfer is seen less as a gamble and more as a necessary move in a hyper-competitive SEC landscape.
The Razorbacks’ embrace of the transfer portal reflects broader changes in college athletics, as student-athletes seek playing time and exposure while coaches aim to build deeper and more versatile rosters.
Van Horn, who has expressed both ambivalence and pragmatism about the portal, summed it up simply.
“You’ve got to adjust or get left behind. That’s just the way it is now.”
Arkansas’s willingness to adapt has kept it near the top of the SEC and in perennial NCAA tournament contention.
The 2025 Arkansas roster is far from settled. Alongside Stewart, several other transfers are set to join the team, and the MLB Draft will likely claim more than a few Razorbacks. The addition of Stewart signals a belief that Arkansas can remain a force despite roster churn.
“If you want to compete in this league, you need guys who aren’t afraid of a challenge,” Van Horn said in a recent press conference.
Stewart, who comes to Fayetteville with something to prove, fits that mold.
For Stewart, the move represents both a fresh start and a new set of expectations.
“Arkansas is a place where you’re expected to win. That’s why I’m here,” he said in a statement released by the university. The hope is that a change of scenery, combined with the Razorbacks’ renowned development program, will help Stewart recapture the form that made him a top prospect out of high school.
As summer workouts begin and the Razorbacks’ roster takes shape, the focus will turn to how Stewart and his fellow transfers fit into Van Horn’s plans. The SEC remains as unforgiving as ever, with powerhouse programs reloading through both recruiting and the portal. In this environment, every transfer and every roster move matters.
