FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Everybody says all the proper things at this time usually, which is about the way Derrian Ford’s announcement to leave Arkansas was handled.

Reports are it was a mutual decision, which right now is what people would say.

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— Derrian Ford (@thetruthballers) April 27, 2023

The only thing interesting he had announced he was coming back to the Razorbacks, rode a horse and everything else, then suddenly everything flipped. It may be awhile before we find out what’s what, which will evaporate if they win games. If they don’t meet expectations, well, your guess is as good as anybody else’s.

Ford was the two-time Gatorade Arkansas Player of the Year and three-time state champion at Magnolia and appeared in 21 games for the Razorbacks during the 2022-23 season, totaling 15 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. He scored in seven games on the year.

Most of his minutes were simply to give somebody a chance to catch their breath.

He did come up big for the Hogs on the road at Missouri on Jan. 18. With a lot of folks having early foul trouble, he got thrown into the game and responded with nine crucial minutes and scored four points on a tough finish in the paint and pair of free throws.

As a four-star recruit he had offers from Baylor, LSU, Auburn, Florida, Alabama, Ole Miss, Oklahoma State and others.

He’ll find a landing spot somewhere.

The Hogs now have to win games as Eric Musselman continues to juggle the roster and you can rest assured it’s not finished yet. There is still a holding pattern on Davonte Davis and Jordan Walsh, both of whom declared for the NBA Draft in June, but are working to hang onto their eligibility.