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HawgBeat – Former Razorbacks sign free agent deals with NFL teams

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HawgBeat  –  Former Razorbacks sign free agent deals with NFL teams


The 2024 NFL Draft finished its seven-round process on Saturday, and it was a relatively uneventful three days for Arkansas fans as only two former Hogs were drafted.

Kicker Cam Little and center Beaux Limmer were both taken in the sixth round to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Rams, respectively.

In the hours after the draft concluded, however, Razorbacks who did not hear their name called were still given a chance to make an NFL roster by signing undrafted free agent contracts with teams.

Offensive guard Brady Latham, linebacker Antonio Grier Jr., defensive end John Morgan III and cornerback Dwight McGlothern were all given UDFA contract opportunities by NFL squads.

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Safety Alfahiym Walcott, who spent one season with the Razorbacks after transferring in from Baylor, was invited to the Buffalo Bills’ training camp.

Here’s a breakdown of every former Arkansas player that was given a chance after the conclusion of the NFL Draft:

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OL Brady Latham — New York Jets

After spending five seasons with the Razorbacks, Brady Latham is moving on to the NFL after signing an undrafted free agent contract with the New York Jets.

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If he makes the roster, he’ll have the opportunity to block for one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers, who is coming off an achilles injury that ended his first season in New York less than a minute before it started.

A 46-game starter for the Razorbacks, Latham finished the 2023-24 season ranked as the No. 194 guard in the country according to Pro Football Focus. He posted an overall offensive grade of 64.7 in 754 total snaps.

LB Antonio Grier Jr. — Tampa Bay Buccaneers

A redshirt senior who transferred in from South Florida ahead of the 2023 season, Antonio Grier Jr. is heading back to the Sunshine State after signing a UDFA with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Grier only had one season of eligibility remaining when he transferred to Arkansas, and he started three of the 11 games he played in at the linebacker position.

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He finished the 2023 season with 36 total tackles, one pass deflection and one interception that he returned for a touchdown — which came in a Week 2 win over Kent State.

Grier ranked No. 562 among linebackers in the country according to PFF. He posted an overall defensive grade of 60.2, which included an 89.9 pass rush grade.

DE John Morgan III — New England Patriots

John Morgan III is heading fairly close to home after signing an UDFA contract with the New England Patriots.

A native of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Morgan will head to Foxborough, Massachusetts, which is an almost seven-hour drive or a 90-minute flight from his hometown.

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Morgan was a Signing Day surprise ahead of the 2023 season, as he transferred to Arkansas from Pittsburgh after head coach Sam Pittman, defensive coordinator Travis Williams and defensive line coach Deke Adams made an in-person visit to recruit him in Maryland.

He told HawgBeat on Early Signing Day in 2022 that the coaching staff’s dedication during the recruiting process is what swayed him — a sixth-year COVID senior — to come to Fayetteville.

“When a head football coach of an SEC school comes and visits you in your home and your state, it means a lot,” Morgan said on Dec. 21, 2022. “It means he thinks highly of you and he definitely showed that he wanted me to come be a Razorback.”

Morgan played in 11 games last season and he racked up 15 total tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks and one forced fumble.

PFF ranked Morgan as the No. 420 edge defender in the country in 2023 with an overall grade of 67.7 in 243 total snaps.

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CB Dwight McGlothern — Minnesota Vikings

Perhaps the most shocking Razorback to go undrafted was Dwight McGlothern. The SEC’s highest-graded cornerback according to PFF (91.3) did not hear his name called, but did sign a contract with the Minnesota Vikings.

McGlothern transferred to Arkansas from LSU ahead of the 2022 season. In his four years at the collegiate level, McGlothern amassed 113 total tackles, six tackles for loss, eight interceptions, 31 pass deflections and four forced fumbles.

In addition to being the highest-graded cornerback in the SEC, McGlothern was the second-rated cornerback in the FBS last season behind Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell — who was drafted 22nd overall to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Following the 2023 season, McGlothern was invited to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. He finished with a 5.97 overall prospect grade and he ran a 4.47 40-yard dash. His vertical jump was 32 inches and he had a nine-foot, seven-inch broad jump.

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S Alfahiym Walcott — Buffalo Bills

After spending just one season in Fayetteville, Alfahiym Walcott received an invite to the Buffalo Bills training camp.

Walcott has had quite the journey, as he started off in the junior college ranks at Butler County Community College in El Dorado, Kansas, before heading to Baylor and then Arkansas for his final season.

A native of Wilmington, North Carolina, Walcott finished his career with 171 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three forced fumbles, 18 pass deflections, seven interceptions and two touchdowns in 45 total games played across four seasons.

Walcott ranked No. 109 among safeties according to PFF with a total defensive grade of 77.9 in 468 total snaps last season.

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Get to know: Arkansas DB commitment John Catlin | Whole Hog Sports

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Arkansas basketball stars Meleek Thomas, Trevon Brazile selected in NBA Draft second round | Whole Hog Sports

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Arkansas basketball stars Meleek Thomas, Trevon Brazile selected in NBA Draft second round | Whole Hog Sports





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Arkansas Athletics, CommunityAmerica Credit Union launch multi-year partnership including Razorback Stadium naming rights

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Arkansas Athletics, CommunityAmerica Credit Union launch multi-year partnership including Razorback Stadium naming rights


FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas Department of Athletics has signed a long-term partnership with CommunityAmerica Credit Union, marking a significant step in the credit union’s growing commitment to Northwest Arkansas. Facilitated by Learfield and Razorback Sports Properties, Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium will become CommunityAmerica Razorback Stadium beginning with the 2027 football season.

Rooted in more than 85 years of helping individuals and families achieve financial peace of mind and building on a 65-year legacy of service in Arkansas, CommunityAmerica is excited to engage with Razorback fans and support the communities they call home.

“This is so much more than a name on a stadium. It’s about becoming part of the Razorback Nation experience and helping fans, students, student-athletes and the communities we and the university serve,” said Lisa Ginter, Chief Executive Officer of CommunityAmerica Credit Union. “Our members are at the heart of everything we do and when we evaluate partnerships like this, it starts with what matters most to them. The University of Arkansas is a powerful source of pride and connection for people across the state and in many of our markets. This partnership underscores our long-term commitment to Northwest Arkansas, where we look forward to growing our presence and helping more families achieve financial peace of mind. We’re already deepening our roots with plans for a campus location and several new branches throughout the region.”

The multi-phased partnership extends beyond naming rights and designates CommunityAmerica as the Official Credit Union of Arkansas Athletics. CommunityAmerica will also serve as an official sponsor of Arkansas Athletics, supporting student-athletes and fans alike. The comprehensive partnership will also include the rebranding of the SEC Club inside Razorback Stadium as the CommunityAmerica Club, where fans enjoy premium amenities on gameday. As part of the agreement, CommunityAmerica will engage directly with Razorback student-athletes providing Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, valuable financial education and programs to help them succeed both on and off the field.

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“We are thrilled to welcome CommunityAmerica Credit Union as the Official Credit Union of Arkansas Athletics as one piece of a partnership that will benefit our student-athletes, fans and the state of Arkansas for years to come,” said Hunter Yurachek, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics at the University of Arkansas. “Our vision in the Department of Athletics is to be our best and CommunityAmerica’s commitment to excellence as a trusted, people-driven financial institution mirrors that same vision. This partnership is just getting started but its impact will help shape our future.”
Beginning with the 2027 football season, the partnership will expand into its second phase with the naming of CommunityAmerica Razorback Stadium and the launch of CommunityAmerica Razorback Checking, Debit and Credit Cards.

With a legacy of serving members across Arkansas and nationwide, CommunityAmerica is ranked among the most trusted and innovative credit unions in the country and among the largest in the Midwest. CommunityAmerica is excited to engage and serve Razorback fans and members more deeply with a variety of financial products and services that align to their passion for the University.

“Our members are proud of where they live and what they stand behind, and for so many in Arkansas and across our shared communities, that means being part of Razorback Nation,” Ginter said. “As we look ahead to launching Razorback-branded products in 2027, we’re excited to offer experiences that celebrate that pride, strengthen relationships and deliver meaningful value for the people and communities we serve.”

“This is a historic partnership featuring an innovative brand with a passion and proven track record of supporting their community, paired with one of the leading college athletics programs in the country,” said Allison Fillmore, Senior Vice President, Business Development at Learfield. “Learfield and Razorback Sports Properties are excited to collaborate with Arkansas Athletics, which will enhance fan and student-athlete experiences for years to come.”

Razorback Sports Properties is the locally based Learfield team that is the exclusive multimedia rights holder for Arkansas Athletics and oversees all sponsorship agreements on behalf of the Razorbacks.

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About the University of Arkansas Department of Intercollegiate Athletics
The University of Arkansas Department of Intercollegiate Athletics pursues its vision to “Be Our Best” while developing 465+ student-athletes into Razorbacks and Champions for Life. As members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the Razorbacks consistently compete at the nation’s highest levels while proudly representing the University of Arkansas and the entire state. Arkansas has established itself as one of the most competitive programs in the nation, winning nine NCAA titles and over 50 SEC Championships in recent years.

About CommunityAmerica Credit Union
CommunityAmerica Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial institution committed to helping members get on a path to thrive and achieve financial peace of mind. Founded in 1940, and with Arkansas roots dating back to 1968, CommunityAmerica has grown to meet the evolving financial needs of its members. With nearly $10 billion in assets and more than 600,000 members, the credit union is ranked among the nation’s 50 largest credit unions. It is the largest credit union in Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri, and one of the largest financial institutions with expanding operations in Northwest Arkansas. CommunityAmerica offers a full suite of financial products and services for individuals and businesses, including checking and savings, mortgages, loans, commercial banking, wealth management, retirement planning, and insurance. Federally chartered, CommunityAmerica serves members across multiple markets nationwide with branch locations in Arkansas, California, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, Tennessee, and Texas. Learn more at CommunityAmerica.com.

About Learfield
Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield’s presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.



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