FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — New Arkansas coach John Calipari isn’t trying to put together a roster like anybody really expects. He’s not doing what fans and most of the media expect, but nobody really wants to believe what he keeps telling them.
“I just talk about what I want,” Calipari said. “Have you guys not understood that yet? You can ask me whatever you want, I’m going to say what …”
That last part sort of trailed off, probably due to exhaustion from having to answer multiple times a question that he’s made clear since April. Calipari’s looking for nine guys who can play to his level.
For those who haven’t noticed, that’s a higher expectation than what’s been seen around the Razorbacks for a couple of decades. He’s also talked about embracing the players who won in the past and did again.
Advertisement
Ronnie Brewer, who is part of the historic past as a player and because his father was a huge part of when Eddie Sutton started turning things around in the mid-70’s, was in the spotlight Monday. Calipari announced he will handle what he described as the mid-south, a region that includes Arkansas, Oklahoma, North Texas, West Tennessee, Missouri up to St. Louis and Mississippi.
“There’s an area that Ronnie can be [effective], but I also want him to be our liaison to all the former players,” Calipari said. “Anybody that knows how I’ve done this … I’ve talked to many of them already. We’re going to do a fantasy camp. I want them all to come back. Be a part of this. I’ve sent some pictures out of some of the guys. Corliss. The picture of him, and I’m saying we’ve got to get this back to where you guys had it. So he’s going to do that.”
The more his current players can be around guys who have won big in the past, he’s all for that. At Kentucky, he embraced the past.
He’s doing the same thing at Arkansas. Before Calipari took the job in April, he talked with Nolan Richardson. Don’t be surprised to see him around as much as he wants to be there.
But, it’s time to quit worrying about players 10-13 on the roster. There are guys who will be primarily for practice and development, and the change in number of scholarship players isn’t a big deal to him.
Advertisement
“Nope. I’m going to have eight or nine, and then I’m going to fill out the roster,” Calipari said … again. “You know what I can do? I can give walk-ons a scholarship now if I choose to. Maybe I use that somewhere else. Maybe I get GAs that can still play and I use it that way. How about I do that?”
Part of doing it the way everybody has gotten accustomed to seeing has changed with (or because of) the new rules in the game, particularly the free agency each year.
“What you don’t want with this transfer portal, every kid is a free agent at the end of the year,” Calipari said. “You have eight or nine, maybe one or two stay, but you’re not dealing with 10, 11, 12. Well, you got to do this, you got to start me, you got to do this. No, I’m not coaching a player so that another guy can coach him. I’m not doing that either. I got my eight or nine.”
That’s the magic number, folks. No matter how many ways the question is phrased, the answer is going to be the same.
When somebody tells you what they are, accept it. That works well with coaches, too. Take Calipari at his word.
Advertisement
HOGS FEED:
• Special rule gives insight into Calipari coaching style for Razorbacks
• Calipari wants Razorback fans to pull back on expectations
• Calipari unveils surprises in exhibition slate, updates schedule progress
• Subscribe and follow us on YouTube • Follow allHOGS on Xand Facebook
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.
