For Hog Transfers, Dream Extends Beyond Saturdays

Opportunities draw big-name additions for Razorbacks through the portal.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A massive Razorbacks LED sign greets you as soon you step out of the elevator to the press room. 

It's grandiose features like these that are a microcosm of why Arkansas attracted 19 players in the portal this season, many of which will play a pivotal role on the field.

For the players who started their career elsewhere being a Razorback has meaning beyond the field. Redshirt senior John Morgan comes to Fayetteville for his final year after five years at Pittsburgh. The 6-foot-2 defensive lineman has already thought about his plans after his playing days are done. Morgan wants to move into the broadcasting booth and spread his passion for sports. 

"One of the first things they told me when I got here was they would give me an internship opportunity with the Razorback Sports Network," Morgan said. "Going through my five years at Pittsburgh, I would have never got a chance to do something like that. That was something that was big in my recruitment, being able to think past football." 

The LED board is a small part of a $160 million facility, most recently renovated in 2018, that includes a massive locker room, indoor practice fields, and among other things, a study area strictly reserved for student-athletes only. Fellow senior defensive lineman Kelvie Rose, a transfer from Louisiana Tech, is already soaking up the campus.

"Coming from Louisiana Tech it's so overwhelming with all the resources that we have here," Rose said. "Just the smallest things I try to take advantage of because I didn't have them when I was there." 

Both players are no slouches either. Rose started 12 games at Louisiana Tech last season and picked up first-team Conference USA honors with 4.0 tackles for loss. Morgan started 5 games at Pitt and recorded 2.5 sacks. 

Debate about the transfer portal will rage on, but for some, it's the perfect combination of contributing to an SEC program and setting themselves up long after they leave Fayetteville.

HOGS FEED:

ARKANSAS HASN'T HAD THIS MUCH ELECTRICITY IN A LONG TIME 

ANOTHER FORMER RAZORBACK GONE TOO SOON 

TRUE FRESHMAN LINEBACKER BRINGING THE WOOD 

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