Pittman, Hogs Staff Meant Business In Transfer Portal Wednesday

Notable offers made by Arkansas staff include several quality transfers.

Jacob Davis | Dec 7, 2023

Pittman, Hogs Staff Meant Business In Transfer Portal Wednesday /

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas coach Sam Pittman and his staff continued their strong activity in the transfer portal on Wednesday with a few impressive offers. Following a disappointing 4-8 season, Arkansas is looking to bounce back in 2024 adding in a wealth of experience in addition to the talented youngsters that showed promise.

Akili Arnold, DB
Oregon State

The former Badger entered the transfer portal following an impressive five season run in Corvallis. His head coach, Jonathan Smith, left for Michigan State so there may be interest there. Arnold recorded 154 tackles and three interceptions during his college career. Arkansas appears to be his third offer. USC and Auburn are the other two.

Zavion Thomas, WR
Mississippi State

Thomas was a focal point of a struggling Bulldog offense in 2023. He caught 40 passes for 503 yards and one touchdown this season. The sophomore is an electric return man recording six punt returns for 202 yards and a touchdown to go along with 14 kick returns for 163 yards. A native of Marrero, Louisiana, Thomas signed with Mississippi State in the 2022 class as a 4-star receiver and ranked the No. 59 at his position. Arkansas must hold off LSU, Auburn and Oregon among others to land his services.

Omarrian Aigbedion, OL
Montana State

Arkansas showed interest in one of the best FCS linemen in the country on Tuesday and followed up with an offer on Wednesday. Aigbedion graded out at 90.0 for the 2023 season on 655 snaps in 2023. As a freshman, the Katy, Texas native played in all 14 games which contributed to the No. 2 rushing attack at the FCS level. Arkansas joins Arizona State, BYU, Texas Tech and Memphis among others to offer.

Nate Matlack, DL
Kansas State

The Wildcats defensive lineman entered the portal on Tuesday following four seasons in Manhattan. Matlack recorded 15 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and four sacks in 2023 as a regular starter. He has received several offers inclduing Arkansas, Colorado State, Texas Tech, UCF and Pitt.

Ja'Mori Maclin, WR
North Texas

North Texas' top receiver had an impressive season guided by Coach Eric Morris. Maclin began his career at Missouri in 2020 before transferring to the Mean Green in 2022 where he blossomed in a prolific offensive system where he's caught 73 passes for 1,389 yards and 13 touchdowns. Maclin has proven to be a big play receiver averaging 19 yards per reception. His cousin, Jeremy, was a star receiver for the Tigers and was a first round selection during the 2009 NFL Draft. Arkansas must beat out Kentucky, Oklahoma, Mississippi State and North Carolina in addition to several others.

Andreas Paaske, TE
Eastern Michigan

The Eagles tight end hasn't set the world on fire but has been a solid blocker at tight end. The junior has caught 14 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns in his college career. As of Tuesday afternoon, it looks like only Arkansas and Sam Houston State have offered.

Samuel Okunlola, DL
Pitt

The redshirt freshman played in 11 games for the Panthers in 2023 recording 18 tackles, six tackles for loss and five sacks. The 6-foot-4, 245 pounder was the No. 111 ranked defensive lineman in the 2022 class but is now rated a four-star transfer, according to 247sports. The Razorbacks signed his former teammate John Morgan during the last transfer cycle. His list is long. Georgia Tech, Baylor, Colorado, Minnesota, USC, and Washington just to name a few.

TJ Crandall, CB
Colorado State

As a freshman in 2023, the 6-foot-1, 190 pound cornerback played extremely well in his first season as a collegiate. Crandall recorded 19 tackles, one tackle for loss and one interception for the Rams this season. Since entering the transfer portal on Monday, he has received offers from UCLA, Vanderbilt, Oregon State, West Virginia, Arizona State, Arkansas, Wake Forest, Cincinnati, Purdue, Cal, Wisconsin, Indiana and North Carolina State.