Oklahoma transfer defensive back Kani Walker has signed with Arkansas, the program announced Saturday. He entered the transfer portal after three seasons with the Sooners.

Walker started his college career at Louisville in 2021 before arriving in Norman a year later. As a redshirt junior this past season, he totaled 24 tackles to go with two tackles for loss and an interception as a contributor to the OU defense.

All told, over his three years at Oklahoma, Walker totaled 51 tackles and four sacks. He also had two interceptions – one in 2023 and another in 2024. Now, he’s heading to Arkansas for his final year of eligibility.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and X account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

Kani Walker played high school football at Douglasville (Ga.) Douglas County, where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 846 overall player from the 2021 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Walker is the second addition for Arkansas through the early part of this portal cycle. The Razorbacks also secured a commitment from former Oregon offensive lineman Jac’Qawn McRoy before announcing Walker’s signing.

McRoy took a redshirt this year and did not participate in a game for Oregon as a freshman. As a result, he will have four years of eligibility remaining.

Arkansas is currently gearing up for a bowl game as part of a bounce-back season under Sam Pittman, who entered the year on plenty of hot-seat lists. The Razorbacks went 6-6 – including a marquee upset win over Tennessee – thanks to a revamped offensive attack led by quarterback Taylen Green and a staunch defense, which helped keep Pittman in Fayetteville. Arkansas is preparing to take on Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl on Dec. 27.

Following Japan’s Dec. 7, 1941 devious and unprovoked attack on the U.S. at Pearl Harbor where some 2,400 military and civilians were killed by air bombardment by over 300 aircraft, President Franklin Roosevelt said the day that triggered our involvement in World War II would “live in infamy.”

If our news coverage of that day in our nation’s history is any indication, I suppose the infamy part has since passed.

Our paper included a blurb on 3A last Saturday marking that anniversary, which likely was better than most. But as a member of the war baby generation, it’s sad that this generation apparently has all but forgotten the day that will live in infamy.

A close friend of mine of the same age (and a subscriber), correctly remarked this way:

“I’m likely being an ass about how on page 3 of section A of [Dec. 7’s] paper there was a blip about Pearl Harbor survivors attending a memorial. I saw nothing in the general media about the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Form your own opinion. Our dads and their comrades aren’t here to remind those self-absorbed people why they are here today. I’m going to shut up now.”

For all the lives our nation sacrificed that day and in the ensuing WWII (some 419,000 military and civilians) he should never shut up about this Day of Infamy. Neither should any of us, and our children, and theirs, most certainly including those expected to report on the activities and history that properly honor our United States, especially when the actions of those who resist our national pride, values and culture are spread far and wide in exaggerated headlines that affect only a relatively few with controversial agendas.

I know I felt ashamed that I failed to mention the hallowed day in in my columns until today. I’ll not be making that inexcusable error again.

Leaving a void

Unfortunately I never got to know our former outstanding sportswriter, the late Bob Holt, who unexpectedly passed away much too soon earlier this month. But from the widespread outpouring last week of admiration and respect for him as a reporter and person, I wish I had made the time to enjoy and appreciate his company after enjoying his well-crafted sports accounts over the years.

Bob’s departure undeniably left a void in our world, which in itself also becomes a wonderful tribute to his having been with us and shared his abilities and personality for years. His life also represents a legacy that sets such a positive example of the ripple effects one person’s thoughts and skills at sharing them can have among many thousands of us. We should all strive to be more like Bob was and live on when our time arrives to live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew and/or admired all we represented.

No go out into the world and treat everyone you meet exactly like you want them to treat you.

Mike Masterson is a longtime Arkansas journalist, was editor of three Arkansas dailies and headed the master’s journalism program at Ohio State University. Email him at mmasterson@arkansasonline.com.

Ole Miss added to its transfer portal haul late Friday, landing a commitment from former Arkansas cornerback Jaylon Braxton.

The 6-foot, 190-pounder from Frisco, Texas, had 21 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception in 2023. He played sparingly early in the 2024 season, playing in two games and recording two pass deflections, before missing most of the Razorbacks’ season.

He chose Ole Miss over Missouri and Texas A&M, among others.

NFL Draft Buzz said Braxton will “line up in press at times, where Braxton has a quick and powerful punch. His ball skills are good, and he plays with an extremely confident and competitive demeanor. …(He’s) willing in run support, coming downhill quickly when he has a chance to make a play. (He’s an) aware zone cornerback who is also adept in man coverage, flashing physical hand punch at the line and straight-line speed to stay with receivers downfield. (He) shows the click-and-close ability to backpedal and the ball skills to make plays. Braxton has loose hips to go along with good top-end speed, and he can flip around to turn and run in coverage. He’s tall-framed with long arms to match. With his powerful hands, straight-line speed, and fluidity in his hips, turning and chasing downfield shouldn’t be a problem. He’s physical at the line of scrimmage, showing unexpected power in his hands.”

Braxton will have three years of eligibility, starting with the 2025 season.