FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas enters the 2026 season standing at a crossroads, forced to reimagine itself after a dramatic roster shakeup.
With a wave of top talent eyeing professional baseball and a new crop of transfers and freshmen ready to make their mark, Razorbacks coach Dave Van Horn faces the challenge of rebuilding a contender in the ever-volatile landscape of college baseball.
The story of the Razorbacks’ 2026 squad begins not with returning stars, but with the players leaving.
The exit door has been busy since the season ended, as Arkansas saw six key contributors exhaust their eligibility, including right-handers Will McEntire and Dylan Carter, infield stalwart Rocco Peppi, and outfielders Logan Maxwell, Kendall Diggs, and Carson Boles.
For Carter and McEntire, the extra year of eligibility granted due to the pandemic allowed them to anchor the pitching staff for one final campaign.
“They’ve been integral parts of what we’ve done the last three years,” Van Horn said after final exit meetings, recognizing the unique role super-seniors have played during this era of college athletics.
But the exodus isn’t limited to those aging out.
The 2025 MLB Draft, scheduled for July 13-14, looms large for Arkansas. Eight Razorbacks are seen as likely candidates to turn pro, led by infielder Wehiwa Aloy, —fresh off winning the Golden Spikes Award and considered by many a first-round lock.
“Aloy will go down as one of the greatest players in Razorback history,” an MLB scout told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “but he’s just scratching the surface of what he can become at third base.”
RHP Gage Wood, whose no-hitter against Murray State sent his stock soaring, is also projected as a first-rounder, with scouts noting, “He’ll go to a team that doesn’t care much about medical reports,” a nod to his recent injury history.
Outfielder Charles Davalan, left-hander Zach Root, LHP Landon Beidelschies, outfielder Justin Thomas Jr., RHP Christian Foutch, and INF Brent Iredale round out a group expected to hear their names called early, leaving significant holes across the diamond.
With so much turnover, the transfer portal has become a lifeline. Arkansas has already welcomed a steady stream of visitors, and the next few weeks promise even more activity.
Veteran reinforcements are on the way, including LHP Ethan McElvain from Vanderbilt and RHP Jackson Wells from UALR.
Jackson Kircher, a sophomore transfer from Oklahoma, brings a fastball that touches 97 mph.
“The portal class has four players committed as of June 28,” the staff noted, with infield transfer Dylan Grego seen as the early favorite to fill Aloy’s shoes at shortstop.
The incoming freshman class is large and talented, but not all will set foot on campus.
At last count, the roster stood at 38, a number that must be whittled to 34 by December 1, per new NCAA rules. Some newcomers, like INF Landon Schaefer and RHP Peyton Lee, are already attracting MLB interest and could be drafted before ever donning a Razorbacks uniform.
“It happens every year,” Van Horn said with a shrug. “We lose one in the draft, we get one out of the portal and here we go.”
The foundation for 2026 remains solid, if somewhat untested. Right-hander Gabe Gaeckle, who excelled out of the bullpen and showed poise in the postseason, is poised to anchor the pitching staff.
He’ll be joined by lefties Colin Fisher and Hunter Dietz, both of whom have battled injuries but are pitching in the Cape Cod League this summer to build up innings. RHP Cole Gibler, currently in camp with the Collegiate National Team, is another name to watch in the rotation.
“He has the potential to be really good next season,” the staff said, eager to see how a summer of high-level competition pays off.
It’s not just the arms that give Arkansas hope.
Catcher Ryder Helfrick, a potential first-round pick in his own right, returns behind the plate after a strong sophomore season and is currently at Team USA camp.
“He’s a future star if he keeps progressing,” said one assistant coach.
Infielders Nolan Souza and Cam Kozeal, both juniors, are set for bigger roles. Souza is rehabbing after shoulder surgery and could move to first base if his throwing doesn’t recover, while Kozeal’s defensive versatility saw him play three positions last year and could land at third if needed.
Yet, for every returning star, there are questions. Injuries cloud the status of several pitchers, including Carson Wiggins, who is rehabbing and may not be ready until the preseason, and Cooper Dossett, who needs to prove he can pitch again after Tommy John surgery.
The outfield is another area of focus, with the staff expected to target portal additions to shore up depth and power.
The transfer portal cuts both ways.
Arkansas has lost nine players to transfer, including promising arms like Tag Andrews and Lance Davis, as well as catchers Zane Becker and Elliott Peterson.
Becker, now headed to Texas A&M, “did not want to sit another season behind Ryder Helfrick,” while infielder Gabe Fraser reportedly turned down a seven-figure NIL package to come to Fayetteville but struggled to find playing time after an injury opened the door for others.
The portal’s impact is felt in recruiting as well. Arkansas lost half of its 2024 signees, a trend that reflects the volatility of college baseball’s new era.
“We’re always evaluating,” Van Horn said. “Some of the incoming freshmen won’t make it to campus. That’s just the way it goes now.”
The staff’s ability to navigate these waters will define the program’s trajectory in 2026 and beyond.
Off the field, Van Horn’s steady leadership remains a constant.
Now in his 23rd season at Arkansas, he’s guided the Razorbacks to seven College World Series appearances and has become the SEC’s second-winningest coach.
“This league is insane, especially in our sport, what it’ll do to you,” Van Horn said recently, reflecting on the relentless cycle of roster management in the SEC.
The challenge now is to blend returning talent, new transfers, and impact freshmen into a team that can compete for Omaha once again.
The countdown to December 1, when the 34-man roster must be finalized, has already begun.
Every summer at Arkansas brings change, but this one feels more pivotal than most. With the MLB Draft, transfer portal, and incoming recruits all in play, the next few months will determine whether the Razorbacks reload or rebuild.
For Van Horn and his staff, the work never stops … or the expectations in Fayetteville.
