FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The wait is almost over for Arkansas football.
Those in the media have one last weekend to squeeze in a little personal time. Children of sports journalists quickly learn the only guaranteed days to schedule anything are Christmas Day and Fourth of July, but the second the first cleat touches a football field, it’s hard to even work in a phone call.
This year, the grind starts Tuesday, which is July 30 for those digging for a calendar. When I started in this business 50-plus years ago, we had until mid-August, but now it’s really never-ending.
Everyone will hear from Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman on Tuesday. Strength and conditioning coach Ben Sowders will also offer the routine how much bigger, faster and stronger the Hogs will be.
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Getting on the field will start Wednesday and a cycle of hearing from every assistant coach and Pittman will begin until the week before the first game against UAPB in Little Rock on Aug. 29. New Hogs’ offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino will make the schedule twice (probably by popular request) on Aug. 13 and 20.
Practices the first week get under way at 5:05 p.m. with interviews following that. In other words, look for the information that night and the next morning since these things usually run a little later than the scheduled start time.
Everything goes to mornings for a couple of weeks after that, but it won’t be this crack of dawn stuff like spring practice and last season. The practices will be at 9:05 a.m. for a couple of weeks and then things settle into later times when school starts on Aug. 19.
Once classes begin, the rest of the practices until the season won’t be open to make sure the media doesn’t give the Golden Lions a chance to pick up anything for that opener. Throw Oklahoma State in there too since they will be the second week.
The media will have access to 14 practices during camp. The two scrimmages and practices leading up to the Arkansas-Pine Bluff game will either be closed or have no media availability. The season opens at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock on Aug. 29 against UAPB at 6:30 p.m. on ESPNU.
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HOGS FEED:
• Olympics fill void, features SEC-like rivalry
• Hogs’ NIL collective hits minor milestone; Litigation may offer Arkansas lifeline
• Five-Star point guard makes college decision Friday
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Dylan Sherman is a business reporter for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. He is based in Northwest Arkansas and focuses on Tyson Foods Inc. and the transportation industry. A graduate of the University of Missouri, he has been with the newspaper since 2023.
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.
