Michigan football got burned by how it handled QB in 2024 offseason
Michigan’s lack of urgency at QB in offseason has come back to bite it. What was the plan? Listen and subscribe to the “Hail Yes!” podcast.
Michigan football gets its first chance to rebound from last week’s crushing rout by Texas as Arkansas State, led by former CMU coach Butch Jones, visits the Big House at noon Saturday.
Five Free Press sports writers make their picks between the Wolverines, who are favored by more than three touchdowns, and the Red Wolves.
Advertisement
Tony Garcia
Arkansas State is expected to compete for the Sun Belt this year and can throw the ball. Michigan gets the perfect opponent against which to fix its run game — the Red Wolves’ defense is No. 114 in the nation, allowing 199 yards per game. This is the week Michigan’s offense gets back to basics and Kalel Mullings goes over the 100-yard mark with two scores. The pick: U-M 30, Arkansas State 7.
SCOUTING THE RED WOLVES: Michigan vs. Arkansas State football prediction and scouting report
Carlos Monarrez
With a fat new contract in hand, head coach Sherrone Moore needs to prove he’s worth it with a resounding bounce-back game against the 2-0 Red Wolves. That shouldn’t be a problem, considering Arkansas State’s weak run defense. The Wolverines will have such an easy time they’ll be able to start planning for USC at halftime. The pick: U-M 38, Arkansas State 13.
Rainer Sabin
Arkansas State’s unblemished record should probably have a loss pinned to it after a controversial call at the end of its opener against Central Arkansas went in its favor. This isn’t a great team, and it shouldn’t pose much of a threat to Michigan. But the Wolverines, with a languishing offense and underperforming defense, are a bit of a mess at the moment.
Advertisement
The shellacking administered by Texas last weekend removed Michigan’s aura of invincibility, and it may take a while for the Wolverines to recover from the beatdown. It’s why this game could be uncomfortably close in the early stages before the reigning national champs assert their supremacy and pull away. The pick: U-M 33, Arkansas State 14.
Jeff Seidel
The Wolverines are gonna win this game, I have little doubt. But I’m so interested to see how Michigan looks against a team like this. Because it will put the Texas debacle into some perspective. Was Texas so dominant because it’s headed for an appearance in the national championship game? (Probably.) Or did Michigan look so bad because they lost so much talent? This game will give us a clue. The pick: U-M 31 Arkansas State 10.
Shawn Windsor
Hey, we have no idea who the Wolverines are. Is Fresno State really good? Will Texas be the national champs? I bet Michigan is somewhere between its first and second performances. Though that could be a scary place, too. The pick: U-M 27, Arkansas State 16.
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
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
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
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
Scott offers experience and flexibility in the defensive backfield, while Clayton provides a long-term option at a position that often requires patience.
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
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.
