Arkansas
Jaivion Martin hoping to turn heads at Arkansas on Friday
FAYETTEVILLE — Pflugerville (Texas) Class of 2026 three-star tight end Jaivion Martin is among the campers at Arkansas on Friday.
Martin, 6-3, 255, had a very good sophomore season. He caught 32 passes for 557 yards and two touchdowns. The colleges have taken notice with nine already extending an offer including Arizona State, Duke, North Texas and several others. Prior to Arkansas’ camp on Friday Martin talked about why he chose to make the trip to Fayetteville.
“Really I just wanted to see how it was,” Martin said. “How they look. Looking at the coaches and I wanted to come see for myself. How they are looking on my end.”
If Martin attends Arkansas he would play for Morgan Turner, who has put numerous tight ends in the NFL.
“I’ve seen that,” Martin said. “That is why I came. He’s a really good coach. He’s been putting people in the NFL and hoping he can do same for me if I come here. I’m expecting to have a good relationship with him after this camp.”
As far as your play at tight end, what do you do well?
“I catch the ball,” Martin said. “I can get open and can catch difficult balls. Catching puts me over the top right now.”
Martin was working inside the Walker Pavilion doing some testing prior to the camp. He likes what he has seen of the facilities to this point.
“I have been impressed so far,” Martin said. “This is a good indoor field. Looking at the weight room. Coach Turner said he’s going to give me a tour of the facilities so I can see more.”
With nine offers so far Martin has seen the colleges showing strong interest. He talked about what an offer from the Razorbacks would mean to him.
“A lot,” Martin said. “I watch their games a lot and been keeping up with them. I asked my mom can I go because I want to see how it feels up there? So far I’ve been loving it and all the hospitality I’ve been getting.”
If the Razorbacks do offer him they will become his first in the SEC. That would hold special meaning to Martin.
“It would mean a lot,” Martin said. “I love the SEC and I love competing with people. That’s my favorite thing. Compete, that’s what the SEC is. The best place. For me I’m expected to play (in SEC) because I like to work.”
He rates among the Top 10 tight ends in the nation in 2026 by 247Sports. Click here for list.
Click here for his highlights.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Freshman Darius Acuff Jr. scored a career-high 29 points, including a key 3-pointer with just over two minutes left in the second half, to help No. 18 Arkansas to an 86-75 win over No. 19 Tennessee in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams on Saturday.
Arkansas (11-3) used a 18-5 run over a 6-minute, 37-second span midway through the second half to turn a five-point deficit into an eight-point lead with 5:40 left. Tennessee shot just 2 for 10 from the field during Arkansas’ run, missing eight shots in a row before finally scoring.
The Volunteers (10-4) took advantage of an Arkansas cold shooting spell — the Razorbacks picked up 12 of their 18 points during the run from the free-throw line — to close within two points with under four minutes to play. Acuff made a 3-pointer from the wing with 2:09 remaining to give the Razorbacks a 79-68 lead.
Tennessee shot 49% from the field and was outscored at the line, going 12 for 23 while Arkansas shot 29 for 33.
Acuff was the only Arkansas player to shoot better than 50% from the floor, going 9 for 16. The Razorbacks shot 42% overall. Acuff was joined in double-digit scoring by Meleek Thomas, who scored 18 points. Malique Ewin added 12 points and Karter Knox 11.
Amari Evans’ 17 points on 7-for-7 shooting led three Tennessee players in double figures.
Arkansas won its opening SEC game for the first time since the 2020-21 season. The Razorbacks have reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in four of the five seasons since and made two Elite Eight appearances.
Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas (1) shoots over Tennessee defenders Ja’Kobi Gillespie, left, and Felix Okpara, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Fayetteville, Ark. Credit: AP/Michael Woods
Up next
Arkansas: At Ole Miss on Wednesday.
Tennessee: Hosts Texas on Tuesday.
Sheila Yount
Sheila Yount is a features editor for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. An Arkansas native and communications professional with 42 years of experience, she edits and writes for the Style sections with a primary focus on the Saturday home and garden section and the Monday style section, which includes content on outdoor recreation, physical fitness and health, as well as history and other topics.
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