With the transfer portal taking big bites out of its offense and certain spots on the defense, Arkansas will turn to some fresh faces to make key contributions Friday night when it meets Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn.
After going 6-6, a two-game improvement over 2023, the Razorbacks have experienced some roster turbulence since the transfer portal activated two weeks ago. Among their big losses on offense were second-leading receiver Isaiah Sategna, center Addison Nichols and guards Joshua Braun and Patrick Kutas.
In addition, leading rusher Ja’Quinden Jackson (790 yards, 15 touchdowns) and top receiver Andrew Armstrong, who led the Southeastern Conference with 1,140 yards, opted out of the bowl game. The defense waved goodbye to safety TJ Metcalf and linebacker Brad Spence.
However, the remaining players don’t intend to let the departures deter them from their task of sealing a winning season in front of what should be a huge contingent of Arkansas fans that figure to make a relatively short trip into west Tennessee.
“Going 7-6 with a winning record would be good,” linebacker Stephen Dix said. “At the end of the day, we know that we’re capable of so much more … look back at the games and the coaches showed us how small the margins was for our losses against really good teams.”
The Razorbacks figure to build their attack around quarterback Taylen Green (2,812 passing yards, 13 touchdowns). The Boise State transfer also rushed for 521 yards and seven scores. Isaac TeSlaa (25 catches, 439 yards) is his top returning receiver for the bowl game.
Texas Tech’s departures since finishing an 8-4 regular season are impactful if not quite as numerous. The chief hole on the depth chart is at quarterback as Behren Morton (shoulder surgery) and his 3,335 yards and 27 TD passes will be on the sidelines.
In addition, leading receiver Josh Kelly (89 catches, 1,023 yards) opted out in favor of getting an early jump on preparing for a potential NFL career. The status of leading rusher Tahj Brooks, who compiled 1,505 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns, could be a game-time decision, according to coach Joey McGuire.
Brooks has been at every practice leading up to the bowl but has pondered opting out. McGuire said other players who have entered the portal are being allowed to play in the bowl since they have done a lot for the program this year.
“If he does play,” McGuire said of Brooks, “of course that’s going to be incredible. If he doesn’t, then we’re going to see (freshman running backs) J’Koby Williams and Cam Dickey.”
Freshman Will Hammond, who in limited duty has completed 15 of 23 passes for 191 yards with a touchdown, will start at quarterback. He will have the services of second-leading receiver Caleb Douglas, who caught a career-high 55 passes for 762 yards and six scores.
Arkansas is listed as a two-point favorite despite the Red Raiders boasting wins over CFP quarterfinalist Arizona State and Iowa State. The Razorbacks’ best win came in October against Tennessee, which reached the CFP but lost to Ohio State in the first round.
Arkansas owns a 29-8 advantage in the series of former Southwest Conference rivals, although Texas Tech won the last meeting 35-24 in 2015.
–Field Level Media
