Arkansas
Sam Pittman breaks down Arkansas' biggest transfer portal needs
With the transfer portal in full swing, Arkansas coach Sam Pittman addressed some of the biggest areas of need for his team. The Razorbacks are coming off of a 6-6 finish in the fifth year under Pittman and looking to boost their roster for another run in 2025.
Speaking with media, Pittman highlighted both the offensive and defensive line as the areas where Arkansas needs to be most aggressive in the portal. He also cited the linebacker group as a the position that the team feels best about, saying the Razorbacks will look to improve its defensive backs room first.
“Offensive line would be one (area of need),” the coach said. “Defensive line would be one. We felt like we were pretty good at the linebacker spots. If you go back and look a couple of years ago, the world was falling because this linebacker (left), that linebacker (left).
“I think we all agreed out linebacker room was a strength for us this year. But that would be probably the least worried about (position). We need some safeties. We need some corners. But I think O-line and tight end’s a big deal. Wide receivers. We’ve got several spots to fill, but off the top of my head, that’s who it would be.”
Since Pittman’s comments, Arkansas has been active in the transfer portal to bring in 13 players. Unfortunately, they’ve also lost 26 more and rank just No. 59 out of 70 teams in On3’s Transfer Portal Team Rankings.
Staying true to to his word, Pittman has brought in four offensive linemen and a pair of defensive lineman through the portal. Former Georgia Tech offensive tackle Corey Robinson II is the highest rated of those additions, coming in as the No. 32 overall player and No. 5 player at his position according to On3’s Transfer Portal Player Rankings.
Arkansas also brought in former Charlotte receiver O’Mega Blake and former Cincinnati cornerback Jordan Young to give it three players ranked in the top 150.
The Razorbacks still have a long way to go to complete their portal class, likely hoping to add some more defensive linemen before it closes later this month. They are looking to make the next push in the SEC next season and the players they’ve gotten so far are a good start.
Arkansas
OPINION | JOHN BRUMMETT: Reasons to be skeptical on Arkansas’ PBS claims | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
John Brummett
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.
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.
Arkansas
Arkansas basketball guard Karter Knox probable to face South Carolina
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas basketball sophomore Karter Knox is probable to play against South Carolina, according to the SEC Availability Report released on Tuesday, Jan. 13.
John Calipari said Knox suffered a hip pointer injury during the No. 17 Razorbacks (12-4, 2-1 SEC) 95-73 loss to Auburn over the weekend. Arkansas returns to action against the Gamecocks on Wednesday, Jan. 14.
Calipari said he didn’t know the exact moment when Knox was hurt against Auburn, but it occurred during the first period as Knox did not play after halftime. He finished the night with zero points in seven minutes.
During his weekly radio show on Monday, Jan. 12, Calipari confirmed Knox had not practiced since the loss to Auburn.
This is not the first time Knox has dealt with an injury this season. He missed the opening game of the year with a toe sprain. The second-year guard is averaging 8.6 points and five rebounds while shooting a team-best 43.5% from 3-point range.
If Knox can play, he would get the chance to go against his older brother for the first time in their respective college careers. Kobe Knox is a redshirt senior at South Carolina after transferring from South Florida before the season.
If something changes before tipoff and Karter is sidelined, one of Billy Richmond III or Meleek Thomas will start against the Gamecocks.
Richmond would be a seamless replacement on the defensive end, although he is not as good of an outside shooter. Richmond is averaging 8.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists.
Thomas would be the aggressive pick on offense. The five-star freshman is Arkansas’ second-leading scorer with 15.4 points per game.
The biggest question is whether Calipari would go deeper into his bench to replace Knox in Arkansas’ eight-man rotation. Isaiah Sealy has been the Hogs’ ninth man this season, but he’s only averaging 8.9 minutes and has appeared in four games since the beginning of December.
Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at jfuller@usatodayco.com or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Arkansas
Arkansas football beats SEC competition for Ouachita Baptist transfer lineman Terence Roberson Jr. | Whole Hog Sports
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