FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Davonte Davis and Trevon Brazile entered the season as the headliners of an Arkansas basketball team carrying lofty expectations. In a program filled with new faces, Davis and Brazile were returnees and consensus preseason All-SEC selections.
But just like the entire Razorbacks’ roster, Davis and Brazile had their fair share of ups and downs through the non-conference slate. Neither player found consistent offensive production. Davis struggled to lock down his exact role, while Brazile worked his way back from last year’s ACL tear before sustaining a sprained ankle in early December.
With the calendar turning and the Hogs hosting Auburn this Saturday (1 p.m., ESPN2) in their SEC opener, Arkansas head coach Eric Musselman believes both players are about to find their groove.
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“We have some guys as well that hopefully can shed some light to our new guys about the importance. How every (SEC) game is tight. How every game is a hard-fought contest,” Musselman said about his returnees.
Both Davis and Brazile had their best games in a long time during Saturday’s 106-90 victory over UNC Wilmington. Davis scored 14 points and knocked down a trio of 3-pointers to go along with six assists and six rebounds.
Davis shot 43% from three in the SEC last season, but he’s at 28.6% this year. Musselman thinks his senior guard is about to turn the tide thanks to the arrival of point guard Keyon Menifield Jr.
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More: Arkansas basketball rediscovers its fast pace with SEC play on the horizon
More: Arkansas basketball routs UNC Wilmington behind Keyon Menifield Jr.
The Washington transfer scored 32 points against the Seahawks and has taken over as the Razorbacks’ starting point guard. That ascension has given Davis a little less stress on offense, allowing the Jacksonville native to spend more time as a spot-up shooter.
“Last year, look at Devo’s 3-point shooting. He shot the ball as well as any guard, really as well as any player, in our league,” Musselman said. “I certainly feel like he worked on that in the offseason, and he’s now getting a little bit different look maybe than he was during those first few segments when he was playing some point.”
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Brazile has also benefitted from Menifield, and the explosive big-man caught two alley-oop passes for thunderous dunks in the most recent victory. Brazile scored 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds against UNCW, which marked his first double-figure scoring game since the ankle injury against Furman on Dec. 4.
Brazile, who is averaging 9.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, can be lethal as a 3-point shooter and crashing the offensive glass. Still, Musselman wants more from the Hogs’ top NBA prospect.
“He needs to be a guy that beats people off the dribble because he’s got a good, quick first step. He’s got a long first step. People underestimate how long that first step of TB’s can be,” Musselman said.
Musselman doesn’t want Brazile to lose his thirst for 3-pointers, but he is demanding a more aggressive version of the 6-foot-10 forward. When strong closeouts come, Brazile must be able to attack his defenders off-the-bounce and finish in the paint.
The Hogs have confidence both Davis and Brazile are slowly turning the corner, and that could be the perfect recipe for sustained success during the upcoming SEC schedule.
The Arkansas Court of Appeals released opinions Wednesday. The court’s ruling and the names of the cases are reprinted here. The full opinions and other court proceedings, including per curiam decisions, orders and submissions, can be found on the internet at arcourts.gov.
PROCEEDINGS OF Jan. 7, 2026
CHIEF JUDGE N. MARK KLAPPENBACH
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CR-23-821. Kenneth Steward v. State of Arkansas, from Benton County Circuit Court. Affirmed. Gladwin and Brown, JJ., agree.
JUDGE ROBERT J. GLADWIN
CR-25-24. Bryce Anderson v. State of Arkansas, from Benton County Circuit Court. Affirmed. Virden and Harrison, JJ., agree.
JUDGE CASEY R. TUCKER
CV-24-537. Flywheel Energy Production, LLC v. Van Buren County, Arkansas; and Van Buren County Judge Dale James, in His Official Capacity as Van Buren County Judge, from Van Buren County Circuit Court. Reversed and dismissed. Abramson and Harrison, JJ., agree.
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JUDGE WENDY SCHOLTENS WOOD
CV-24-209. LRS South, LLC v. Benton County Solid Waste Management District and the Benton County Solid Waste Management District Board, from Benton County Circuit Court. Reversed and remanded. Hixson and Murphy, JJ., agree.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas continued its offseason roster work by adding a transfer defensive back and securing a future offensive line piece from Texas, addressing both immediate depth and long-term development.
The Razorbacks announced the signing of Georgia State defensive back Tyler Scott, a transfer with multiple years of eligibility remaining, while also landing Carey Clayton, an offensive lineman from Southlake Carroll High School, as part of the 2026 recruiting class.
Scott joins the Hogs after spending the 2025 season at Georgia State, where he appeared in two games and recorded four tackles. He arrives in Fayetteville with three years of eligibility remaining, giving Arkansas flexibility in how he’s developed and used in the secondary.
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Before his time at Georgia State, Scott spent two seasons at Auburn. One of those seasons was cut short due to an ACL injury, limiting his opportunity to contribute on the field.
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The Razorbacks now provide him with a chance to reset and compete in a defensive back room that continues to evolve.
At 6 feet tall, Scott adds experience to a secondary that has seen significant turnover through the transfer portal. His addition gives the Hogs another option at defensive back as the staff works through spring and fall evaluations.
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Clayton strengthens 2026 offensive line class
Arkansas also added a future piece up front with the commitment of Carey Clayton, a 6-foot-3, 270-pound offensive lineman from Southlake Carroll, one of Texas’ most consistent high school programs.
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Clayton helped Southlake Carroll complete an undefeated regular season last fall and reach the state semifinals. He enters college football as a consensus three-star prospect, ranked among the top offensive line recruits in Texas.
In addition to Arkansas, Clayton held offers from Air Force, Arkansas State, Florida Atlantic, UAB and UTEP. He ultimately chose the Razorbacks, becoming the 16th commitment in the Hogs’ 2026 recruiting class.
Clayton is ranked around No. 251 nationally and No. 141 in Texas. While not among the highest-rated prospects in the class, his high school experience and physical development make him a long-term project for Arkansas’ offensive line.
Hogs continue roster building
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The additions of Scott and Clayton reflect the Hogs’ continued focus on roster balance. Scott becomes the 23rd transfer portal addition this offseason, reinforcing a secondary that has emphasized competition and depth.
Clayton’s commitment adds to a growing 2026 class that prioritizes size and developmental upside, particularly along the offensive line.
Arkansas has steadily worked to build future depth in the trenches while supplementing current needs through the portal.
While neither move is designed to generate immediate headlines, both fit into a broader plan aimed at improving roster stability.
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Scott offers experience and flexibility in the defensive backfield, while Clayton provides a long-term option at a position that often requires patience.
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As the Razorbacks move through the offseason, these additions help establish depth at key positions and give the coaching staff more options heading into the coming seasons.
Key takeaways
Arkansas added Georgia State transfer defensive back Tyler Scott, who brings experience and remaining eligibility to the secondary.
The Razorbacks signed 2026 Texas offensive lineman Carey Clayton, adding size and long-term depth up front.
The Hogs continue balancing immediate roster needs with long-term development through recruiting and the portal.
John Brummett’s career in news began when he was in high school, as a part-time reporter for the Arkansas Democrat. He moved to the Arkansas Gazette in 1977.
He wrote a political column for the Gazette from 1986 to 1990. He was an editor for the Arkansas Times from 1990 to 1992.
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In 1994, his book, “High Wire: From the Back Roads to the Beltway, the Education of Bill Clinton,” was published by Hyperion of New York City. He became a columnist with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in 1994. In 2000, he signed a deal with Donrey Media Group, now known as Stephens Media, and wrote for them for 11 years.
He rejoined Democrat-Gazette as a columnist on Oct. 24, 2011.
