Following a disappointing 2023 season for Arkansas football, the Razorbacks lost 34 players off the roster to the portal. Is the grass really greener for the transfers that decided to leave the program?
Here’s a quick snapshot of how the former Hogs are faring at their new homes:
UCF Quarterback KJ Jefferson
Jefferson is the starting QB for Gus Malzahn at UCF where he has completed 59% of his passes. He has thrown for 1,012 yards with 7 touchdowns and 4 interceptions and is rushing for just 3.2 yards per carry with two additional scores so far this season.
North Carolina QB Jacolby Criswell
After falling short in a spring quarterback battle with transfer Taylen Green, Criswell transferred back to Chapel Hill where he started his college career. After a season-ending injury to Max Johnson, Criswell has assumed the starting role. Although the Tar Heels are 0-3 in his starts, he has done a serviceable job completing 56.5% of his passes, throwing for 1,158 yards, 7 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.
TCU RB Dominique Johnson
Johnson has only seen limited time on the field primarily serving as a 3rd down back for the Horned Frogs. He has 53 yards on 14 carries with one rushing touchdown on the ledger.
[You may also be interested in Arkansas Bowl Projections Following Tennessee Upset]
Baylor DB Lorando ‘Snaxx’ Johnson
After initially leaving Baylor to join the Razorbacks, Johnson pulled a Jimmy Whitt and ultimately decided to return to Waco. His contributions to the Bears have been limited, but he currently sits at 7 tackles and 5 pass breakups.
Ole Miss LB Chris ‘Pooh’ Paul Jr.
Despite finishing second on the team last year in tackles, Paul decided to enter his name into the transfer portal before committing to the Ole Miss Rebels as part of Lane Kiffin’s loaded transfer class. So far this season, he has been a key contributor defensively with 41 total tackles along with 2.5 sacks.
Wisconsin LB Jaheim Thomas
Following a season where Thomas finished as the Razorbacks’ leading tackler, he decided to enter the transfer portal and ended up committing to play under his former head coach at Cincinnati, Luke Fickell. On the season, Thomas has 28 tackles and a sack.
South Carolina RB Raheim ‘Rocket’ Sanders
Sanders hit the portal following a lackluster season where he struggled to gain traction after suffering a knee injury in the season opener against Western Carolina and only saw the field in six games. So far through the 2024 season, Sanders has 315 yards on 65 carries while also tacking on 4 touchdowns in what has been a bit of a resurgence with the Gamecocks.
UNLV DB Malik Chavis
Following a season where Chavis saw limited time on the field, he decided to enter his name into the portal and committed to the Rebels and former Arkansas DC Barry Odom. So far through his 2024 campaign, Chavis has tallied up 14 tackles and a forced fumble for a UNLV team that ranks among the best G5’s in the country.
UNLV LB Mani Powell
Powell has gone from a reserve linebacker role at Arkansas to a larger role under Odom at UNLV. He has compiled 30 stops already this season, including a career-high 10 tackles against Syracuse last weekend.
Colorado RB Isaiah Augustave
After busting onto the scene late last season as a true freshman and shining at times during spring practices, Augustave hit the portal and was plucked by Coach Prime and Colorado. He has received multiple carries in the last four games for the Buffs and currently sits at 24 rushes for 117 yards.
SMU OL Andrew Chamblee
Chamblee appeared in 12 games, starting eight for the Razorbacks in an SEC All-Freshman campaign a season ago, but the Maumelle native opted to test the transfer waters and has landed at SMU where he has logged just 95 snaps through four games at both tackle spots for the Mustangs.
Florida OL Devon Manuel
Manuel battled through an injury-riddled 2023 at Arkansas to appear in nine games, starting four, at left tackle. After transferring within the SEC to Florida, Manuel logged only 58 snaps in three games for the Gators.
Other Transfers Of Note
- LB Jordan Crook – Arizona State
- DL Taurean Carter – Colorado
- DL Tank Booker – SMU
- OL Paris Patterson – SMU
- RB AJ Green – Oklahoma State ***injury