Carlon Jones and David Oke arrived at Arkansas by different roads, but they landed in the same place for the same basic reason: Fayetteville felt right.
That was the common thread Tuesday as the two defensive linemen talked about joining the Razorbacks’ 2026 roster. Oke came to Arkansas ahead of the 2025 season after transferring from Abilene Christian, while Jones took a much different route after leaving USC. Different backgrounds, different timelines, same destination.
Oke, a native of Lagos, Nigeria, is heading into his fifth season of college football this year. He redshirted last season, but he is expected to play a bigger role now. He said Arkansas quickly stood out to him for the people as much as the football.
"I really love Arkansas as a whole," Oke said Tuesday. "This state is very loving.
My first time visiting here was unbelievable.I told myself when I was going to transfer [that] I wanted to look for something similar to where I was, but better competition. After the rough year I had, I really honed in on the people around me.
"They [were] really telling me, choose where your heart is. I was telling myself, reach over my shoulder, let's come back. By the grace of God, I'm able to come back for another year and do what I want to do."
Oke also said he is a "way better" player than he was a year ago and praised the new defensive staff.
Jones’ path looked different, but his reaction was just as immediate. The Bay City, Texas, native said the move from Southern California back toward home was an easier adjustment than the one he had made to Los Angeles.
"I'm originally from the South, so it wasn't very hard of a transition for me," said Jones, a native of Bay City, Texas. "Living in LA was a bit of a culture shock, because I'm a small-town kid from Bay City.
It was more my speed coming down to Fayetteville, slower pace so I could think. It was a pretty good adjustment.
Jones said Arkansas moved quickly once he entered the portal, and his visit sealed it.
"My parents were just telling me, we have to go visit Arkansas. They have a lot of interest in you," Jones said.
"First day I got here, they worked wonders. I was like, this feels like home, feels like family.
It was a good family environment for me. I feel like I can develop here and perform here."
Jones, listed at 6-2, 327 pounds, is expected to be part of the same defensive line group as Oke, and both could become important pieces for an Arkansas front that needs to improve from its 2025 interation.
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