Arkansas’ Gage Wood throws historic no-hitter in College World Series
Arkansas’ Gage Wood tosses the third no-hitter in Men’s College World Series history as Arkansas tops Murray State.
NCAA
Arkansas baseball’s long road back to Omaha begins in the transfer portal.
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The Razorbacks can officially turn their full attention to next year’s roster after the 2025 season ended Wednesday, June 18 in the College World Series semifinals. Arkansas fell two wins short of reaching the championships series.
The Hogs crushed the 2024 transfer portal, bringing in four All-SEC players in Charles Davalan, Zach Root, Kuhio Aloy and Cam Kozeal. They also landed the likes of Landon Beidelschies and Logan Maxwell.
A similar haul would once again make Arkansas a national title contender. The Hogs are bringing back a strong core of players, led by Gabe Gaeckle and Ryder Helfrick.
Here’s a look at who is coming and who is going for the Razorbacks this summer.
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Players transferring to Arkansas baseball
Jackson Wells, pitcher, Little Rock
Wells attended Rogers High School and spent three years with the Trojans after beginning his collegiate career at UA Rich Mountain. In 2023, Wells led the country with a 1.65 ERA. Paul Skenes had the next-best ERA during his final season at LSU. The righty wasn’t able to replicate that dominance over his next two seasons, and in 2025 he went 3-8 with a 5.36 ERA in 87⅓ innings. At Arkansas, Wells figures to compete for a spot in the back end of the rotation or as a high-leverage option out of the bullpen.
Ethan McElvain, pitcher, Vanderbilt
McElevain went 2-3 with a 7.24 ERA in 2025. Those numbers are underwhelming, but the flame-throwing lefty struck out 45 batters in 27⅓ innings. According to D1Baseball, McElvain had a better-than 50% whiff rate on his slider, complimenting a fastball that lives in the upper 90s. Arkansas will hope to rein in his 1.02 walks per inning and turn McElvain into a reliable left-handed option out of the bullpen.
Players entering the portal from Arkansas baseball
Gabe Fraser, infielder
Fraser became the first portal departure who played in 2025. The California native hit .250 with one home run and 12 RBIs in 52 at-bats. He spent a brief period as the starting second baseman after Nolan Souza went down with a season-ending injury, but a leg ailment derailed Fraser’s own playing time. He was ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 144 overall prospect and the No. 37 shortstop in the class of 2024.
Jackson Farrell, pitcher
Farrell did not make an appearance during his one and only season with the Razorbacks. Perfect Game ranked Farrell as a top-500 overall prospect and the No. 70 left-handed pitcher in the class of 2024.
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Ross Felder, pitcher
The Springdale native did not pitch for Arkansas in his one-year career with the Hogs. He was a a top-500 overall prospect and the No. 287 right-handed pitcher in the class of 2024, according to Perfect Game.
Tag Andrews, pitcher
Another in-state pitcher, the graduate from Maumelle High School was Perfect Game’s No. 345 overall prospect and the No. 105 right-handed pitcher in the class of 2024. He did not pitch during his freshman season.
Luke Williams, pitcher
Just like the three players above, Williams did not pitch in 2025. He was as a top-500 overall prospect and the No. 72 left-handed pitcher in the class of 2024, according to Perfect Game.
Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at jfuller@gannett.com or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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.
