The Auburn Tigers will get their first taste of SEC play in 2024 when they take on the Arkansas Razorbacks this Saturday.
Arkansas is off to a 2-1 start this season, its loss coming on the road in overtime against No. 16 Oklahoma State.
The Razorbacks will be looking to settle the score after Auburn blew them out on the road last season. The Tigers won 48-10 in one of their more dominant performances of the season.
Who are some of the most important players to watch on Arkansas?
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Offense:
Taylen Green, QB
Green, a 6-foot-6 dual-threat quarterback, joined Arkansas via the transfer portal this offseason after spending the previous three seasons with Boise State.
Green is 53-of-94 through the air so far this season for 806 yards but only three touchdowns. On the ground, Green has picked up 245 yards and four touchdowns off 41 carries.
Auburn’s defense had the chance to play against a dual-threat quarterback last week in New Mexico’s Devon Dampier. The Tigers will hope to see that experience pay off.
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Andrew Armstrong, WR
Armstrong, a 6-foot-4 wide receiver, has enjoyed a fast start in his second season with the Razorbacks.
Armstrong has caught 18 passes for 301 yards, leading Arkansas in both categories. However, Armstrong is still waiting for his first touchdown catch of the season.
Armstrong will provide Auburn’s secondary, a unit that has struggled at times this season and is already dealing with injuries, with the biggest challenge it has faced so far this season.
Ja’Quinden Jackson, RB
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Jackson, a 6-foot-2 running back, could not have asked for a much better start to the season, also his first with the Razorbacks.
On 47 carries, Jackson has picked up 397 yards and six touchdowns and is averaging 8.4 yards per attempt, leading the team in all four categories.
Between a quarterback who can extend plays with his legs like Green and a powerful running back like Jackson, stopping the run will be a tough task for Auburn. It will, however, be a determining factor in the outcome of the game.
Defense:
Xavian Sorey Jr., LB
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Sorey, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound linebacker who spent the previous three seasons with Georgia, was another transfer portal addition Arkansas made over the offseason.
Sorey has led the Razorbacks in tackles so far this season with 23 and tackles for loss with three.
Auburn and Arkansas go head-to-head at 2:30 p.m. CT inside Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday. ESPN will carry the broadcast.
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.
