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ESPN elevates Arkansas commit JJ Andrews to 5-star basketball status

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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ESPN elevates Arkansas commit JJ Andrews to 5-star basketball status

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — ESPN has upgraded Arkansas basketball commit JaShawn “JJ” Andrews to 5-star status in its most recent recruiting rankings.

It makes him one of the highest-rated players in the 2026 class and a central figure in coach John Calipari’s inaugural recruiting class at Arkansas.

Andrews, a 6-foot-7 small forward from Little Rock Christian Academy, averaged 28.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists as a junior, leading his team to the state quarterfinals.

His performances on the national summer circuit, including the Nike EYBL, contributed to his rise in national recruiting boards, according to analysts familiar with ESPN’s evaluation process.

He committed to Arkansas on May 15 after considering offers from Missouri, LSU, Oklahoma, Marquette, and others.

The commitment was announced in front of family and friends at his high school, and Andrews cited the opportunity to stay close to home and the atmosphere created by Calipari as key factors in his decision.

“Coach Calipari made it clear that I’d have the chance to make an impact here, and the atmosphere on my visit just felt right,” Andrews said at the commitment ceremony.

The 5-star distinction from ESPN comes after Andrews’ steady climb in recruiting rankings over the past year. He was previously rated as a consensus 4-star prospect and is considered the top high school basketball player in Arkansas for his class.

Andrews’ father, Shawn Andrews, played football at Arkansas before a career in the NFL, adding to the family connection to the university. His coaches and teammates at Little Rock Christian describe him as a leader who frequently puts team success above individual recognition.

Recruiting analysts have cited Andrews’ physical profile, a 7-foot wingspan and a strong frame, as assets that translate well to the college level. They note his ability to score, rebound, and defend multiple positions, as well as his leadership qualities, as reasons for his high ranking.

The Razorbacks’ recruiting class, with Andrews as its centerpiece, is expected to draw attention from other high-profile recruits.

Isaiah Sealy, another top Arkansas prospect, said that Andrews’ commitment makes Arkansas an attractive destination for other elite players in the class of 2026.

John Calipari, who began his tenure as Arkansas head coach this year, has a history of developing NBA talent and attracting top-tier recruits.

His early success in landing Andrews is viewed as a significant development by college basketball analysts.

Andrews has also been recognized for his work off the court, earning the Gatorade Player of the Year award for Arkansas. In interviews, he has emphasized his desire to be a positive example for younger athletes and to demonstrate that local players can succeed without leaving the state.

As the basketball season approaches, Andrews will begin his senior year at Little Rock Christian Academy with heightened expectations. He remains committed to Arkansas and is expected to sign with the Razorbacks during the early signing period for the class of 2026.

The addition of Andrews to the Arkansas roster is seen as a boost for a program seeking to return to national prominence.

His elevation to 5-star status further solidifies his position as one of the top prospects in the country and a foundational piece for the future of Razorbacks basketball.

Hogs add Marshall’s Niu, boosting outfield ahead of 2025 MLB draft

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Hogs add Marshall’s Niu, boosting outfield ahead of 2025 MLB draft

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas picked up one of the transfer portal’s more intriguing names.

Maika Niu, the versatile center fielder and infielder who powered Marshall last season, has committed to play for the Razorbacks, giving coach Dave Van Horn’s team an extra jolt of athleticism and power as Arkansas aims for a national title push in 2025.

Niu’s commitment, confirmed by both Falmouth Commodores play-by-play announcer Andrew Della Piana and the Falmouth scouting page on X, arrives at a critical time for Arkansas.

The Razorbacks, coming off a 50-win season and a third-place finish in the USA Today Coaches Poll, have reloaded through the transfer portal, with Niu representing their seventh new addition this cycle.

His arrival speaks to the aggressive approach Arkansas has adopted in recent years, using both recruiting and transfers to maintain its status among college baseball’s elite.

Niu, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound junior from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, put together a breakout campaign at Marshall.

He started all 54 games for the Herd, slashing .276/.343/.557 while racking up 63 hits, 12 doubles, five triples, 14 home runs, and 48 RBIs in 228 at-bats.

His blend of speed, power, and defensive versatility made him an everyday presence for Marshall and a coveted target for programs seeking a player who can handle both the infield and center field.

Before his stop in Huntington, Niu spent two seasons at New Orleans, where he hit .290/.359/.528 over 60 games, with 10 home runs and 40 RBIs.

His steady improvement at the plate and in the field has caught the attention of multiple MLB scouts, and he’ll enter the 2025 MLB Draft pool with considerable leverage, able to return to school if the draft board doesn’t fall his way.

Niu’s summer in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League further raised his profile. Playing for the Falmouth Commodores, he continued to show off his power and speed, with reports noting a .279/.362/.639 slash line and six home runs against some of the country’s best collegiate pitching.

The timing of the commitment is significant. The Hogs face uncertainty in the outfield, with Thomas Jr. among several draft-eligible players weighing pro opportunities.

Niu’s arrival gives the Razorbacks both a safety net and a possible impact bat in the middle of the lineup, should Thomas depart. If both return, the Razorbacks would boast one of the SEC’s most dynamic outfields, an enviable problem for any coaching staff.

Arkansas’s transfer haul this offseason has been widely praised. Baseball America ranked the Razorbacks’ portal class second in the nation, citing a blend of proven college performers and high-upside talents like Niu and Texas Tech infielder TJ Pompey.

The aggressive portal approach has become necessary as the SEC arms race intensifies, and Arkansas’s willingness to target players with both immediate impact and long-term upside has kept them in perennial contention.

Niu’s offensive profile fits the Razorbacks’ aggressive style. He brings left-handed power, the ability to hit to all fields, and a knack for coming through in big moments.

Defensively, his speed makes him a strong fit for the spacious outfields of the SEC, and his experience at multiple positions gives Arkansas flexibility as they set their lineup game to game.

For Niu, the move to Fayetteville offers both opportunity and challenge. He’ll be stepping into the spotlight of SEC baseball, where expectations are high and every game matters.

Razorbacks land Carthage wide receiver Henderson for 2026 class

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Razorbacks land Carthage wide receiver Henderson for 2026 class

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — When Keymian Henderson came for his official visit in early June, few outside of Texas high school football circles knew his name.

By the end of the weekend, Arkansas coaches may have feld they had found the next big piece for their 2026 recruiting class.

On Saturday, the 6-foot-4, 190-pound wide receiver from Carthage, Texas, announced his commitment to the Razorbacks, choosing the Razorbacks over a final group that included TCU and Kentucky, as well as offers from Kansas State, Mississippi State and Houston.

Henderson’s decision could be a big addition for Sam Pittman and wide receivers coach Ronnie Fouch, who have made recruiting size and versatility at the receiver position a priority.

Under coach Scott Surratt, Carthage has won 10 Texas state championships since 2008 and is widely regarded as one of the state’s top programs.

Last season, Henderson led the Bulldogs in receiving yards, posting 64 catches for 1,085 yards and 18 touchdowns as Carthage powered its way to a 15-1 finish and yet another 4A Division II state title

Those numbers have translated to national attention. Henderson is rated as an 88-grade three-star prospect by 247Sports, ranking 91st among wide receivers in the country and 79th among all Texas players in the class of 2026.

On3’s recruiting service lists him as the 81st-best receiver nationwide and 72nd in Texas, reflecting his steady climb up the recruiting boards as college coaches have seen more of his tape.

Arkansas has made a habit of getting players from Carthage.

Henderson follows 2025 center Kash Courtney, who signed with the Razorbacks last December, as the second Bulldog in as many classes to head to Fayetteville.

Henderson joins a 2026 Arkansas recruiting class that is already drawing national attention.

With his commitment, the Razorbacks’ class grew to 26 pledges, including four wide receivers. The group also features quarterback Jayvon Gilmore (Gaffney, S.C.), tight ends Jaivion Martin (Pflugerville, Texas) and Kade Bush (Chanhassen, Minn.) and several offensive linemen, among others.

On defense, Arkansas has secured commitments from three interior linemen, a four-star edge rusher in Colton Yarbrough, and a host of defensive backs and linebackers.

The Razorbacks’ 2026 class is currently ranked eighth in the SEC and as high as No. 10 nationally by some outlets. Pittman’s staff has focused on bringing in size, speed, and depth at skill positions after last season’s offensive struggles.

“We need to get longer, more physical, and more dynamic on the outside,” Pittman told local reporters after spring practice.

Henderson’s size and catch radius immediately stand out on film, but it’s his ability to separate from defenders and track the deep ball that has drawn the most praise.

“He’s a matchup nightmare,” said recruiting analyst Otis Kirk of Pig Trail Nation. “At 6-4, he’s got the frame to go up and get it, but he’s also fast enough to stretch the field. That’s rare at this level.”

While Henderson had other options, his connection with the Arkansas staff may have made the difference.

Arkansas’ wide receiver room has been a revolving door, with the departure of Jordan Anthony to track and Bryce Stephens shifting to cornerback.

Even with those moves, the Hogs are two or three players over their ideal number at the position, but Henderson’s upside may have been too much to pass up.

“There’s always room for a playmaker,” Fouch said.

For Carthage, Henderson’s commitment is another feather in the cap for a program that, under Surratt, has become a pipeline to college football’s biggest stages.

Now the Hogs are hoping he brings some of that with him to Fayetteville.

Razorbacks reload at receiver as Bobby Petrino eyes 2025 rebound

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Razorbacks reload at receiver as Bobby Petrino eyes 2025 rebound

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas’ wide receiver room, once dominated by familiar names, now will require folks to keep a roster handy to figure out who’s who.

Yes, the second year with offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino does represent a continuation of his first year, but a whole new cast of guys catching passes.

The Razorbacks’ 2024 campaign ended with a 7-6 record, a season that saw flashes of Petrino’s trademark play-calling, but he can’t execute it on the field.

The Razorbacks’ headliners of Andrew Armstrong and Isaac TeSlaa, who ran out of eligibility. Considering TeSlaa was the first Hogs’ player taken in the NFL Draft in April (in the third round by the Detroit Lions), that may not be replaced easily.

In their place now is a mix of veterans and transfers that flashed ability in the spring, but now that has to translate over to game days.

O’Mega Blake, Raylen Sharpe, Ismael Cisse are the names Petrino and Arkansas coach Sam Pittman hope can spark a resurgence in Fayetteville.

“We have a lot of guys who are hungry to prove themselves,” Petrino said this spring, “and that’s what you want when you’re building something new.”

Blake, a redshirt senior transfer from Charlotte, arrives in Arkansas with a reputation for stretching defenses.

His 795 yards and nine touchdowns last season hopefully same with him to a much stronger competition. What to watch is how consistently he can get open against SEC defenses he’ll see.

“O’Mega is the kind of guy who can take the top off a defense,” Petrino said. “He’s a game-changer with the ball in his hands.”

Sharpe, who shined in spring practices, returns for his senior year, looking to parlay his experience into leadership for a group eager to redefine expectations.

The Razorbacks’ offseason had a flurry of transfer portal activity, which is the way things go in college football these days.

Ismael Cisse, a redshirt sophomore, steps up after a developmental year, while sophomore CJ Brown and redshirt sophomore Kam Shanks round out a rotation that could have potential.

The pipeline doesn’t stop there. Jalen Brown, a speedy transfer from Florida State, brings big-play ability and SEC-level athleticism.

Expectations for Petrino’s offense are high, if not cautiously optimistic. The coordinator is no stranger to high-octane attacks. His Razorbacks in 2011 averaged over 36 points per game and still serves as a touchstone for fans.

That was thanks in large part to a group of receivers that had been with the Hogs for four years along with a senior quarterback that had all been here. Considering they were freshman in Petrino’s first season let’s not start discounting that experience.

This one doesn’t have anything close to that,  but Petrino himself knows this season presents a different challenge.

“We’re not asking anyone to be a superstar,” he said. “We’re asking everyone to do their job, to be disciplined, and to make the play when it’s their turn.”

The new arrivals spent the spring learning Petrino’s playbook and developing chemistry with quarterback Taylen Green, now entering his second season.

All of that makes it virtually impossible to project exactly how it will play out at a level of competition most haven’t seen.

Green’s growth may be the key to unlocking the receivers’ full potential. The Boise State transfer showed flashes of brilliance in 2024, particularly on short and intermediate throws, but struggled to find consistency behind an offensive line that often left him scrambling.

If the offensive line is as improved as everyone hopes it is and Green takes another step forward, the trio of Blake, Sharpe, and Cisse could thrive in a conference where big plays are currency.

That chemistry thing, though, is going to require some patience. It is very seldom developed in six months.

Recruiting has also injected fresh talent into the receiver room.

The 2025 class brought in Ja’Kayden Ferguson out of Texas, a 6-2 target with a knack for contested catches, and local product CJ Brown continues to turn heads in Fayetteville after a promising freshman season.

Lanky (6-foot-6) wide receiver Antonio Jordan could surprise a lot of folks. He comes from Warren, Ark., where they grow tomatoes, pine trees and wide receivers for the Hogs.

He’s from the same program that produced Jarius Write, Greg Childs, Chris Gragg and Traylon Burks. Those are just the recent names but they weren’t the first from the Southeast Arkansas town.

Not every story is about youth. Monte Harrison, a 29-year-old former Major League Baseball player, joined the Razorbacks as a walk-on receiver in 2024.

His presence in the locker room and on the practice field is a testament to the program’s open-door approach and willingness to mine unconventional sources for talent.

“I just want to compete,” Harrison told ESPN earlier this year. “Football’s always been my first love, and I’m here to help this team any way I can.”

The 2025 schedule won’t do Arkansas any favors. With matchups against perennial SEC powers and a non-conference slate designed to test depth, the pressure on Petrino’s new-look receiving corps will be relentless.

“We know what’s expected here,” Sharpe said after a spring scrimmage. “We’re not running from that. We’re running toward it.”

Statistically, Arkansas needs to take a leap. Their 2024 receiving numbers lagged behind SEC elites, with the leading receiver topping out at fewer than 800 yards and touchdowns hard to come by in the red zone.

Petrino’s reputation as an builder of explosive offenses gives hope, but execution on Saturdays will determine whether this new batch of pass-catchers can deliver.

It was Blake back in the spring, though, that summed up the whole receiving corps (and the questions) in a pretty simple way.

“We’re all we’ve got once the lights come on,” Blake said. “That bond, that trust, it shows up in the way we play.”

Razorback fans can just add to their expansive list of “hopes” for this season.

The Hogs will kick off the season August 30 at Razorback Stadium against Alabama A&M at 3:15 p.m. on SEC Network.

Green leads Razorbacks into 2025 with fresh eyes, new weapons

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Green leads Razorbacks into 2025 with fresh eyes, new weapons

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — With the departure of key wide receivers to the NFL and the transfer portal, a retooled offensive line, and a defense built from new faces, much of Arkansas’ success rests on the broad shoulders of quarterback Taylen Green.

Green, a redshirt senior transfer who started at Boise State, returns for a second season under offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino.

Last fall, Green’s debut in the Southeastern Conference was both electric and uneven. He threw for 3,154 yards and 15 touchdowns, but also tossed nine interceptions and finished with a 70.5 QBR, tied for 36th nationally.

His dual-threat capabilities with 602 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground kept Arkansas’s offense alive even as the team struggled through growing pains.

There’s little mystery about who will take the first snap when the Hogs open against Alabama A&M on August 30. Green is the undisputed starter, and he’s entering the season with a new level of comfort in Petrino’s complex system.

“My confidence level is higher because it’s my second year in the offense,” Green said during spring practice. “Just where I was last year, my eyes was like, ‘Oh,’ with the offense and getting on the same page with Petrino and the different plays in the run game and different responsibilities I had to do.

“So I would say my confidence level is higher, but at the same time, I’ve got a lot to get better at and that’s what I’m really focused on. I’m not really content.”

While Green’s athleticism and arm strength are undeniable, his accuracy and pocket presence remain works in progress. Arkansas’s offensive line, rebuilt through the transfer portal, allowed 26 sacks last season, often forcing Green to improvise.

Petrino, renowned for developing quarterbacks throughout his career, has made cutting down turnovers and improving efficiency two pillars of Green’s offseason development.

“If you look at the best quarterbacks in the country, they know where to go with the ball and they get it out quick,” Petrino told reporters in the spring. “Taylen has all the tools, but what we’re working on is making those decisions faster, reading defenses quicker, and trusting the protection up front.”

Behind Green, the depth chart is youthful and largely untested. Redshirt freshman K.J. Jackson is the presumptive backup, having seen only mop-up duty last season.

“KJ’s been stepping up in the role that he has,” Green said in March. “Being my last year, I have to make sure that anybody after me that’s going to take the ropes, that’s what I’m really big on, just leaving this place better than what I found it.”

Florida State transfer Trever Jackson and true freshman Grayson Wilson round out the quarterback group, but unless disaster strikes, neither is expected to see the field in meaningful minutes.

The biggest question for Arkansas’s offense isn’t just about who’s throwing the passes, but who’s catching them.

After losing Andrew Armstrong, Isaac TeSlaa, and Tyrone Broden to the NFL and watching Isaiah Sategna and Dazmin James exit via the transfer portal, the Razorbacks had to rebuild their receiving corps nearly from scratch.

Hogs oach Sam Pittman mined the transfer portal to bring in a diverse group of talent. Among the new faces are Fresno State’s Raylen Sharpe, Charlotte’s O’Mega Blake, Alabama-Birmingham’s Kam Shanks, Stanford’s Ismael Cisse and Florida State’s Jalen Brown.

Blake, coming off a junior season with 795 yards and nine touchdowns, is expected to make an immediate impact.

Sharpe, who previously played for Petrino at Missouri State, says the transition to Arkansas’s playbook has been smoother than expected.

“To be honest, I didn’t know I knew the playbook that well,” Sharpe said this spring. “When they started speaking it again, it all came back to my memory. They’ve got some new stuff that I’ve got to get a grasp on, but everything else has been pretty good.”

For Green, developing chemistry with an almost entirely new receiver corps is the challenge that will define his legacy.

“It’s about trust,” he said during a summer media session. “These guys are hungry. We’re all learning together, and I have to be the one to set the tempo, to let them know that mistakes are opportunities to get better. We’re going to build something here.”

There’s reason for cautious optimism. Arkansas’s offense showed flashes last season, especially in the run game, and a year-two jump under Petrino’s tutelage is a well-trodden storyline in Fayetteville.

During Petrino’s first tenure with the Razorbacks, quarterback Ryan Mallett blossomed in his second year, leading the team to a Sugar Bowl appearance.

While comparing Green to Mallett may be a stretch right now, the expectation for improvement is ever-present.

The Razorbacks’ hopes of a bowl berth and perhaps another upset like they had against Tennessee, hinge on Green’s growth and the ability of his new weapons to make plays in big moments.

The coaching staff’s focus during fall camp will be on continuity and precision, hoping to iron out the miscommunications that plagued the offense last year.

In the huddle, Green’s quiet leadership is earning respect.

“I’ve seen him grow so much, not just as a player but as a person,” said offensive lineman Corey Robinson. “He’s the guy we look to when things get tough. He’s put in the work, and it’s showing.”

The Razorbacks’ quarterback room, has a clear leader and a plan for the future. Whether that plan translates to wins in the SEC remains to be seen.

For Green the stakes are both personal and will affect his future.

A strong season could vault him into national conversation and, perhaps, the NFL Draft. For Arkansas fans, battered by years of roster churn and heartbreak, hope is measured in incremental progress and flashes of brilliance.

But hope is about all the Hogs’ really have this year heading into Media Days again.

Three Razorbacks named to Team USA for All-Star series in Japan

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Three Razorbacks named to Team USA for All-Star series in Japan

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Three Arkansas baseball players will be headed to Japan after being named to the 2025 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team on Friday.

Right-hander Gabe Gaeckle, lefty Cole Gibler, and catcher Ryder Helfrick were the Razorbacks selected.

The final 26-man Team USA roster features top collegiate players from across the country who will compete in the 45th USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series, a storied event dating back to 1972.

The series, running July 8-13 at locations across Japan, represents a pinnacle of amateur baseball, pitting the United States’ brightest college stars against their Japanese counterparts.

The Hogs now boast 27 all-time selections to the Collegiate National Team. Gaeckle joins Ryne Stanek, now with the New York Mets, as the only two-time Team USA picks in program history.

“After a very competitive Stars versus Stripes series, we are excited to announce the 26 players who will represent the United States on international soil,” said Eric Campbell, of USA Baseball. “We are confident that the roster assembled will represent our country well, and we look forward to making the trip back to Japan for the first time since 2019 and continuing this long-standing series.”

Gaeckle stands out not just for his repeat selection, but for the way he’s become a linchpin in the Razorbacks’ pitching rotation.

“The opportunity to wear ‘USA’ across your chest is something you don’t take lightly,” Gaeckle said after the announcement. “It’s about representing your school, your family, and the game itself.”

Helfrick, the sophomore catcher, brings a blend of defensive acumen and offensive spark, while Gibler, the southpaw, has made a habit of baffling hitters with his command and late movement.

Arkansas has long been a pipeline for Major League talent and national recognition, a tradition that stretches back to Ron Reynolds’ selection in 1979.

Since then, alumni like Jeff King, Nick Schmidt, Logan Forsythe, and Heston Kjerstad have also played in the series.

The USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series has grown into one of the sport’s most significant international showcases.

Team USA leads the series all-time, but the games are often close and highly contested.

“The talent across college baseball this year has been nothing short of fantastic,” Campbell added. “It was a challenge to trim the roster down, but that’s a testament to the depth we have at every position.”

The Razorback trio’s journey to Team USA began at the Collegiate National Team Training Camp, where players endured a Stars vs. Stripes series. That’s essentially a five-game intra-squad playoff, watched closely by pro scouts and national team staff.

For infielder Cam Kozeal, the experience ended in disappointment, as he was the lone Arkansas invitee not to make the final cut.

Team USA’s 2025 squad features standouts from programs across the country, including Eric Becker (Virginia), Drew Burress (Georgia Tech), and Jason DeCaro (North Carolina). The roster is managed by Andy Stankiewicz, whose coaching staff brings decades of experience to the dugout.

The trip to Japan offers more than just baseball. Players are expected to serve as cultural ambassadors, engaging with fans and local communities.

For many, it’s their first taste of international play, a crucible that often shapes the next wave of big-league stars.

“It’s a chance to see a different style of baseball, to learn and to grow,” said Helfrick. “You see how much the game means to people everywhere, and it reminds you why you started playing in the first place.”

Coach Dave Van Horn, who’s sent numerous players to Team USA over his tenure, called the selections “an honor for our program and a testament to the hard work these guys put in all year.”

The hope, as always, is that the experience will ripple forward, inspiring the next generation of Arkansas players to aim for an even higher ceiling.

The series can be streamed live on USABaseball.TV, with games available both as live broadcasts and on demand.

Razorbacks football odds: BetSaracen early outlook reflects fans’ views

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Razorbacks football odds: BetSaracen early outlook reflects fans’ views

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The newest betting lines for Arkansas’ 2025 football season and they say a lot about the Razorbacks’ projections.

BetSaracen, the state’s favorite sportsbook app. But for Razorback fans, sees odds reflecting a program at a crossroads, a fanbase hungry for hope and a betting market that’s seen too many false dawns to believe in miracles.

The 2025 regular season win lines for Arkansas, as posted by BetSaracen, open with a stark dose of realism.

Bettors can take the Razorbacks to win three or more games at -1500, or risk bigger payouts by betting on six or more wins at +110, and a nine-win season at a long +1200.

The odds for Arkansas to win the SEC Championship hover at +20000, a number that signals just how steep the climb remains for Sam Pittman and his staff.

This isn’t just a story about numbers, it’s about the weight of history and the challenge of the SEC. The Razorbacks enter 2025 after a string of disappointing seasons, with just two years over seven wins since 2012.

There’s a sense of urgency in Fayetteville with fans and, maybe, a large part of the fans. Pittman, returning for his sixth season after compiling a 30-31 record, knows the stakes.

Arkansas’ 2025 schedule, unveiled in December, offers little in the way of easy outs. The Razorbacks open with a pair of headline matchups.

Notre Dame comes to Fayetteville on August 30, marking the first-ever meeting between the two programs, followed by a trip to Little Rock to face Arkansas State.

The early non-conference slate is quickly replaced by the grind of SEC play, with home games against Texas A&M, Auburn, and Mississippi State, and daunting road trips to Tennessee and Ole Miss.

The roster is stocked with question marks and a handful of bright spots. Taylen Green, who returns at quarterback after a solid debut season, is one of the bright spots leading an offense that struggled to maintain consistency last year.

“We’ve made changes to the offensive line and brought in some new faces, but the goal is the same—we have to be better up front,” Pittman said in the spring.

On the defensive side, Arkansas will need to replace key contributors while relying on a mix of experienced returners and transfers.

The addition of new staff including seven support hires and several assistants on fresh contracts signals a willingness to shake things up behind the scenes, but translating that energy to results on the field remains the challenge.

Recruiting remains a focal point, but the Razorbacks’ recent classes have yet to fully deliver on their potential.

The program’s all-time record sits at 740–539–40, but recent trends show a roster struggling to keep pace in a conference that grows tougher every year.

A few underappreciated returners and a handful of promising freshmen could emerge, but depth remains a concern, especially as the season grinds on.

The betting markets reflect the uncertainty. BetSaracen’s odds give Arkansas +375 to finish with exactly six wins, +260 for seven, and +575 for eight.

The low win totals on the board—just two wins or fewer at +1100—underscore the volatility bettors have come to expect from this program.

The SEC remains a gauntlet, and Arkansas’ schedule does them no favors. Notre Dame and Arkansas State offer little margin for error before the league grind begins.

Within the SEC, every game is a coin flip for a team still searching for its identity. The odds say bowl eligibility is possible, but far from guaranteed.

For fans and bettors alike, the best-case scenario is clear to a healthy roster, a few early wins and a surprise or two against bigger-name opponents.

The odds reflect the reality that Arkansas faces an uphill climb, with the gap between hope and heartbreak never wider than on the eve of a new season.

As kickoff approaches, the Razorbacks will have to rely on more than just favorable bounces. Arkansas to win the SEC at +20000? Stranger things have happened, but in the SEC, progress is measured in inches, not leaps.

For now, the betting lines stand as both a warning and a challenge. The Razorbacks have been counted out before. Whether 2025 marks a new chapter or more of the same will play out, one Saturday at a time.

Phil Steele ranks Razorbacks’ SEC schedule near middle of pack

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Phil Steele ranks Razorbacks’ SEC schedule near middle of pack

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas is about to run a gauntlet that will be tough enough in the SEC assuming they can make it out of September with any hope left.

With a gimme opener against Alabama A&M, the first meeting with Arkansas State probably has more attention in Jonesboro than around here.

Razorback fans might not get the blowout they expect from the opening kickoff. The Red Wolves will likely have a bigger emotional investment.

Hogs coach Sam Pittman knows what’s coming the next three weeks will be more defining and critical.

With road games against Ole Miss and Memphis followed by the first-ever meeting with Notre Dame that’s a five-game stretch with only one SEC game.

A 3-2 start would be okay, 4-1 is difficult and a 1-4 record might throw a wet blanket over everything before we even get to September and the Razorbacks have fired the head coach in that month before.

Don’t look for that to happen, regardless how things work out. There’s still SEC games to play and the Hogs usually always win one nobody expects and manage to lose one they are expected to win.

“We don’t shy away from a challenge,” Pittman said in spring practice. “You work hard and you see what you’re made of, that’s all you can do.”

This year, the SEC’s expansion and scheduling quirks have created an uneven playing field. Some teams, like Texas and Missouri, catch a break by dodging most of the conference’s giants. Arkansas isn’t so lucky.

According to veteran analyst Phil Steele’s annual breakdown, the Razorbacks face one of the most grueling conference slates, drawing six matchups against teams in the “superpower” or “pink” categories.

That’s his color code of red or pink meaning programs projected to finish in the SEC’s top half.

Roster turnover is another storyline. After a season that saw flashes of promise but plenty of inconsistency, Arkansas enters 2025 with a revamped lineup.

Quarterback Taylen Green, coming off a solid debut, returns with hopes that a better offensive line and a new cast of skill players can improve the Razorbacks’ offense over the low bar set last season.

“Taylen’s got the right mentality,” said offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, back in Fayetteville for his second stint. “We need to put him in a position to succeed, and that starts up front.”

The backfield is anchored by senior Mike Washington Jr., with support from Braylen Russell and Rodney Hill. O’Mega Blake, a senior transfer, brings big-play potential to a wide receiver group with a ton of new faces.

The defense has Xavian Sorey Jr. and Stephen Dix Jr. and a lot of questions waiting on answers for a group that struggled at times last year.

All told, the Razorbacks’ two-deep is a blend of transfers, returning contributors, and underclassmen looking to make a name in the SEC’s most demanding year yet.

Expectations aren’t sky-high. Betting lines have set Arkansas’s win total at 5.5, matching the uncertainty swirling around the program and the schedule that awaits.

National previews predict a finish in the bottom half of the conference, but inside the program, there’s a sense that the Razorbacks can surpass those projections if everything clicks.

“We’re not here to be average,” Pittman said. “You work hard and not be very good, or you work hard and surprise some folks. That’s why we play the games.”

It’s been a decade since Arkansas last truly threatened the SEC’s upper echelon and the pressure is mounting. Pittman, who signed an extension through 2027, knows the stakes.

“If you want to be patted on the back, you’re going to get punched in the gut. And what’s fair is fair,” he told reporters last fall.

The fan base’s patience is wearing thin and is close to apathetic. There hasn’t been a big buzz, but that will pick up over the next week and a half leading into SEC Media Days in Atlanta.

Ruscin & Zach July 3

Derek Ruscin
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Ruscin & Zach July 3

Getting ready for the holiday weekend with an epic phone call.

 

Texas Tech freshman All-American TJ Pompey transfers to Razorbacks

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Texas Tech freshman All-American TJ Pompey transfers to Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas Razorbacks are adding another proven bat to their infield.

Texas Tech’s TJ Pompey, a 2024 Freshman All-American, announced Thursday that he is transferring to Arkansas, filling a key gap for coach Dave Van Horn as the Razorbacks reload after another deep postseason run.

Pompey, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound infielder from Coppell, Texas, arrives in Fayetteville carrying the sort of promise and production that immediately boosts expectations.

As a freshman at Texas Tech, Pompey hit .279 with 10 home runs, 11 doubles, and 49 RBIs, earning Freshman All-American honors from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and Perfect Game.

“It’s an honor to be recognized, but I know there’s more work to be done,” Pompey told local media following his award announcement last summer.

The transition comes after an injury-shortened sophomore season.

Pompey started 18 of 19 games in 2025, batting .348 with five home runs and 15 runs batted in before a season-ending wrist injury on March 30 against Kansas State. He spent the remainder of the season in the dugout wearing a brace, missing the final 28 games.

Despite playing just 37 games in his sophomore year, Pompey’s offensive numbers were strong enough to keep him on the radar of top programs.

His career slash line at Texas Tech of .297/.391/.544 reflects a player with pop, patience, and room to grow. He also brings experience against SEC arms, having faced Arkansas in a two-game midweek series as a freshman, where he went 2-for-5.

Defensively, Pompey has primarily played shortstop and third base, though his fielding numbers have fluctuated.

He posted a .934 fielding percentage as a freshman but struggled in the field early in 2025, finishing with a .848 mark and seven errors in 46 chances.

Still, scouts and coaches cite his athleticism and potential, especially given his size and arm strength.

“He’s got the frame and the tools to be a difference-maker with some polish,” said one Big 12 assistant coach.

Pompey’s arrival bolsters a transfer class that has been ranked among the best in the nation.

The Razorbacks have already added right-handed pitchers Jackson Wells (Little Rock) and Jackson Kircher (Oklahoma), left-handed pitcher Ethan McElvain (Vanderbilt), shortstop Dylan Grego (Ball State), and outfielder Zack Stewart (Missouri State) this offseason.

Van Horn, entering his 23rd year at Arkansas and still chasing that elusive national championship, has leaned heavily on the transfer portal to counter MLB Draft departures and early graduations.

“The SEC is as tough as it gets,” Van Horn said at a postseason press conference. “To compete, you need guys who have been through it. Guys who aren’t afraid of the moment. TJ has already shown he can hit at this level, and we expect him to fit right in with what we’re building here.”

For Pompey, the move offers a fresh start and a chance to compete on one of college baseball’s biggest stages.

“I’m excited to join Arkansas and compete for championships,” he said in his commitment announcement. “The tradition here is incredible, and I can’t wait to get to work with Coach Van Horn and the rest of the team.”

If Pompey can replicate, or even exceed, his freshman production, Arkansas will have addressed one of its most pressing needs.

Razorbacks land 2027 QB Joaquin Kavouklis, adding depth to future roster

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Razorbacks land 2027 QB Joaquin Kavouklis, adding depth to future roster

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas Razorbacks have secured a major building block for their future, landing a commitment from Lakeland, Fla., quarterback Joaquin Kavouklis for the Class of 2027.

Kavouklis, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound prospect, is rated as a three-star by 247Sports and picked the Hogs over offers from Purdue, Syracuse, Georgia Tech, West Virginia, and Virginia Tech.

“I just wanna say I’m happy to be home,” Kavouklis told HawgSports on Thursday after multiple campus visits.

Kavouklis’ decision comes after trips to Fayetteville last November and again this spring, where he spent time with offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino and recruiting assistant Miles Fishback.

He is the second commitment for Arkansas in the 2027 cycle, joining three-star offensive lineman Bradley Sturdivant from Sheridan, Ark.

The Razorbacks’ quarterback room is in a state of transition. With freshman Madden Iamaleava leaving the program and Malachi Singleton transferring to Purdue, depth has become a priority.

Taylen Green returns as the starter for 2025, but the Hogs are already looking to the future with Kavouklis and 2026 commit Jayvon Gilmore, who plans to join the team in January after graduating early.

“Five is a good number at quarterback, four is the minimum,” said Trey Biddy of HawgSports, highlighting the importance of building depth at the position.

The commitment from Kavouklis follows a busy week for the Razorbacks.

Just a day earlier, four-star linebacker JJ Bush from Theodore, Ala., pledged to the Razorbacks over LSU and Missouri, giving a boost to the 2026 recruiting class.

Arkansas coach Sam Pittman and his staff have emphasized the importance of early quarterback commitments.

“You need a quarterback to help build a class. Kavouklis can be that guy for us,” Petrino noted in a recent interview with 247Sports.

Kavouklis threw for over 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns as a sophomore at Lakeland, drawing attention for his strong arm and poise in the pocket.

“He’s got the tools to be a Power Five starter,” said Rivals recruiting analyst Adam Friedman.

With the quarterback position now stabilized for the next several cycles, the Razorbacks’ attention shifts to filling out the rest of the 2027 class.

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