Arkansas’ Offensive Reload: Three Transfers Set to Make a Major Impact in 2026
The Arkansas Razorbacks are heading into 2026 with a new head coach, a retooled roster, and a clear goal: keep the offensive engine humming.
Ryan Silverfield takes over in Fayetteville after a strong run at Memphis, and with that move comes a wave of change - both on the sideline and on the field. The Razorbacks are saying goodbye to two of their biggest offensive weapons in quarterback Taylen Green and running back Mike Washington, both off to the NFL.
That’s a lot of production to replace. But if Arkansas wants to avoid a step back in Year 1 of the Silverfield era, they’ll need some new faces to step up fast.
The good news? Help has arrived - and it’s coming from both familiar places and fresh pipelines. Here are three offensive transfers who could play a pivotal role in keeping Arkansas near the top of the offensive charts in 2026.
AJ Hill, QB (Memphis)
Let’s start under center, where the Razorbacks are searching for their next leader.
AJ Hill may not have played a snap yet at the college level, but don’t let that fool you - he’s walking into Fayetteville with more than just potential. The redshirt freshman followed Silverfield from Memphis, and that familiarity could be the difference-maker in what’s shaping up to be a true quarterback competition.
Hill already knows the playbook. He understands the terminology, the cadence, the rhythm of the offense - all of which gives him a leg up as Arkansas transitions into a new system. While KJ Jackson brings a bit more experience to the table, Hill’s comfort in Silverfield’s scheme can’t be overstated.
Physically, he checks every box. At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Hill has the kind of frame that fits right into the SEC landscape.
Add in a live arm and above-average mobility, and you’ve got a quarterback who can make every throw and extend plays when needed. He was a four-star recruit for a reason - the tools are there.
The real question is how quickly he can put it all together. If Hill settles in early, he has a real shot to take control of the offense and keep things rolling. For a team that finished among the top five nationally in offensive efficiency last season, that continuity at quarterback will be crucial.
Sutton Smith, RB (Memphis)
Consistency in the backfield can be a quarterback’s best friend - and Arkansas might have found just that in Sutton Smith.
Another Memphis transfer, Smith brings more than just experience with Silverfield and offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey. He brings production - and a whole lot of it. In 2025, Smith racked up over 1,000 all-purpose yards, showing he can contribute in just about every phase of the game.
At 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, Smith doesn’t fit the mold of a traditional SEC bruiser. But what he lacks in size, he more than makes up for in versatility. He rushed for 669 yards and seven touchdowns on just 102 carries, added 20 catches out of the backfield, and made an impact on both kick and punt returns.
He’s the kind of player who thrives in space - and in an offense that’s built around pace and spreading the field, that makes him a perfect fit. Smith may not be a 25-carry-a-game back, but he doesn’t need to be. Get him the ball in creative ways, and he’ll do the rest.
Expect him to be used as a change-of-pace weapon, a third-down option, and a return threat. His ability to shift momentum in a single play could be a major asset for a Razorbacks offense looking to stay explosive.
Bryant Williams, OT (Louisiana)
You can’t talk about offensive success without mentioning the big guys up front - and Arkansas just added a major piece to its offensive line.
Bryant Williams, a transfer from Louisiana, was one of the most coveted tackles in the portal. At 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds, he brings both size and pedigree to the Razorbacks’ trenches. Ranked as the No. 8 offensive tackle in the transfer class, Williams arrives with high expectations - and the potential to meet them.
Arkansas already had one of the top offensive lines in the country last season, finishing inside the top three in PFSN’s OL Impact Grades. Adding a player like Williams helps ensure that dominance doesn’t drop off. He’s a natural left tackle with the kind of length and athleticism that NFL scouts love, and he could be the anchor this line needs as it protects a new quarterback.
The jump from the Sun Belt to the SEC is no joke. The edge rushers get faster, the defensive schemes get more complex, and the margin for error shrinks. But if Williams adjusts quickly, he could give Arkansas a reliable blindside protector - and that’s the kind of stability that makes a huge difference in a quarterback’s development.
What It All Means for Arkansas
Replacing your starting quarterback and running back isn’t easy.
Doing it while breaking in a new coaching staff? Even tougher.
But Arkansas is attacking that challenge head-on with a transfer class built for immediate impact.
AJ Hill brings familiarity and upside at the most important position on the field. Sutton Smith gives the Razorbacks a do-it-all weapon who can thrive in multiple roles. And Bryant Williams adds a physical presence to an already strong offensive line.
If these three players can hit the ground running, Arkansas has a real shot to keep its offense among the most dangerous in the country. The names may be different, but the standard remains the same.