Razorbacks Will Host Another Linebacker

Arkansas continues search for veteran linebackers via transfer portal

Jacob Davis | Apr 19, 2024

Arkansas Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman during Red-White game Saturday at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark. / Michael Morrison-allHOGS Images

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Razorbacks defensive coordinator Travis Williams looks to add experience to the linebacker position this offseason.

Arkansas is set to receive a visit from Jacksonville State transfer linebacker Larry Worth. The 6-foot-4, 220 pound linebacker was essentially an unknown commodity out of high school as he wasn’t ranked by a single major recruiting service during the 2022 cycle.

Worth is the second linebacker to visit Arkansas this week. Charlotte transfer Nikhai Hill-Green visited Thursday. The Razorbacks don’t lack for bodies at the second level but lack players with college experience.

As a sophomore, Worth played extremely well in his first season as a starter. He recorded 63 tackles, 28 solo, six for loss, four sacks, an interception, two pass breakups, three quarterback hurries for a Jacksonville State team that went 9-4. It was the Gamecocks’ first of two seasons in transition from FCS to the FBS level.

Due to restrictions for the move, Jacksonville State was ruled ineligible for postseason bowl games. Because of the lack of bowl eligible teams, the Gamecocks were selected to the New Orleans Bowl with its restriction overrode. During the game Worth posted 12 tackles, two for loss and one sack in the 34-31 victory over Louisiana. He’s heard from Minnesota, UTSA and Arkansas since entering the portal.

The Razorbacks lost its top three players at the position following the 2023 season. Brad Spence returns for his second season with the team and finished with 16 tackles last year.

Williams brought in former 5-star Xavian Sorey from Georgia during the December transfer portal window. From an upside standpoint, Sorey has all the measurements to compete in the SEC.

ARKANSAS LINEBACKER SCHOLARSHIP COUNT

Xavian Sorey, redshirt Junior

Kaden Henley, redshirt sophomore

Alex Sanford, sophomore

Brad Spence, sophomore

Carson Dean, redshirt freshman

JuJu Pope, freshman

Justin Logan, freshman

Bradley Shaw, freshman

Wyatt Simmons, freshman

HOGS FEED:

• Running back room gets more depth with transfer