All Hogs

Wrong? Razorbacks May Have More Pro Talent Than Previously Thought

Scout says Razorbacks have more potential NFL players than most though this year

Jacob Davis

Arkansas Razorbacks defensive end Landon Jackson during 2023 fall camp.
Arkansas Razorbacks defensive end Landon Jackson during 2023 fall camp. / Andy Hodges-Hogs on SI
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Sometimes while scrolling X, the algorithm spits out an interesting tweet or two worth sharing. Wednesday's lunch scroll was no different as ESPN's NFL scout, Matt Miller, posted about Arkansas' amount of NFL prospects.

In a normal year, the Razorbacks don't usually have 10-15 NFL prospects. The extra COVID year put a wrench into things for every school when it comes to roster building now, though.

Brand new freshman blending in with guys in their sixth and seventh years of eligibility is a different element than anyone anticipated before. A good quarter of Arkansas' NFL prospects arguably are on the defensive line.

Landon Jackson was already one of Mel Kiper's best defensive end prospects last year, ranking No. 1 throughout the 2023 season. He returns to Arkansas with unfinished business after a 4-8 season.

FCS Albany transfer Anton Juncaj is another obvious pro prospect for 2025 after an All-American campaign last season. Anyone who posts 20 or more tackles for loss and 15 sacks in a single season can play at the SEC level — which is the NFL's minor league playground since 2006.

Sixth-year senior Eric Gregory has been consistent during his Arkansas career, but hasn't quite had that breakout season. In five seasons, Gregory has recorded 93 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.

Fourth-year junior Cam Ball has the body most NFL teams dream of for run-stuffing defensive tackles at 6-foot-5, 310 pounds. He has been a fixture in the Arkansas line-up for the past two seasons with over 60 tackles, four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

Former Conference USA all-league selection Keivie Rose has one more season to claim a spot in the draft next year. The 6-foot-3, 301-pound defensive tackle has an opportunity to be developed and earn a firm role this season after recording 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in 2023.

When defensive line coach Deke Adams was hired at Arkansas, he was given a chance to flip the room. His recruiting and development skills polished at several other stops gave him a chance to do the same for the Razorbacks.

Adams has seen his unit be productive over his first two seasons in Fayetteville with near-record numbers in tackles for loss and sacks. He hasn't seen many of his highly productive players become NFL prospects yet as a few either transferred or saw their eligibility expire.

Another presumed NFL Draft prospect is Utah transfer running back Ja'Quinden Jackson. His hard-nosed running style is reminiscent of a time that's passed on. Jackson can catch the ball out of the backfield, although he was not utilized in such a way during his time with the Utes.

Eric Galko, director of operations at the annual Shrine Bowl, is also high on Arkansas' crop of seniors.

While looking at the bright side of this argument, it is great to see the Razorbacks have 19 NFL prospects heading into a season. Obviously, Miller did not give a comprehensive list of data as it pertains to other SEC schools like Galko.

A list of exactly which Arkansas players are being considered NFL prospects isn't available either. If there truly is this many upperclassmen on Arkansas' roster, then bowl eligibility should be the bare minimum goal for Sam Pittman's team this fall.

HOGS FEED:

• Shift in scholarship numbers offer new reality for Hogs

• Calipari adds another Razorbacks' home non-conference game

• Applying 12-team playoff to Pittman Era reveals interesting nuggets

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Jacob Davis
JACOB DAVIS

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