McEntire Poised for Huge Season Out of Bullpen for Razorbacks

Hogs right-hander one of many talented arms in pitching staff that looks deep

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — One of the best arms in college baseball will return to the Arkansas bullpen. Will McEntire, a Bryant native, is poised for another big season following a career-season in 2023. The Razorbacks' pitching staff appears to be deep on paper and are glad to have its leader back for another season.

"He’ll be a big part of our pitching staff," Van Horn said. "I love the experience and the makeup. His stuff’s good. It should continue to get better if he’s healthy."

The 6-4, 220-pounder played in a career high 87 innings of work last season. His 21 appearances and 10 starts saw the right hander strikeout 83 batters and just 29 walks including a 5.07 ERA.

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Hogs coach Dave Van Horn believes most of McEntire’s work will come as the first pitcher out off the bullpen despite his brief history of starting. 

“The first guy out of the pen, gets the fifth and let’s see if he can go the distance," Van Horn said following the season. "You can close him. You got to see when he only had to throw one inning that he can get the ball up there a little bit. He pitched really well the second half.”

Arkansas had to retool the pitching staff throughout the season with injuries to such stars as Jaxson Wiggins, Brady Tygart, Dylan Carter and Koty Frank. Luckily, McEntire found his stride after starting the season as a weekend starter to nearly leading his team to the College World Series in a relief role.

“We had a great season and we wouldn’t have had it without Will kicking it into gear,” Van Horn said. “I think a lot of that was lost in the way it all went down at the end of the season. We had and incredible season, went through a lot of injuries. We had great leadership from older guys and I thought the coaches did a great job."

McEntire had one of the better fall ball performances of any Razorback during the offseason. In just over eight innings of work he recorded a 3.12 ERA with nine hits and 11 runs. Only three of the 11 runs scored were earned off the redshirt senior.

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