With Ryan Silverfield stepping in as the new head coach at Arkansas, the Razorbacks are wasting no time retooling their offense-and one name on their radar makes a lot of sense: Colton Joseph, the dual-threat quarterback out of Old Dominion. With Taylen Green heading to the NFL, there's a clear vacancy under center, and Joseph’s skill set might be exactly what Silverfield needs to jumpstart his new era in Fayetteville.
Colton Joseph: A Breakout Star in the Making
Joseph turned heads in 2025 with a breakout season that put him squarely on the map as one of the most intriguing quarterbacks in the transfer portal. Across 19 career starts, he’s piled up 4,251 passing yards and 32 touchdowns through the air, while adding another 1,654 yards and 24 scores on the ground.
Those numbers don’t just speak to production-they scream versatility. And with two years of eligibility left, Joseph isn’t just a short-term fix.
He could be the foundation of Arkansas’ offense moving forward.
His 2025 campaign was especially eye-catching. Joseph threw for 2,624 yards and accounted for 34 total touchdowns, leading Old Dominion to a 9-3 record and a second-place finish in the Sun Belt East-their best showing since joining the FBS.
That kind of leap tends to catch the attention of Power Four programs, and it’s no surprise that schools like Arkansas are circling. The SEC spotlight, paired with a fresh coaching staff and a wide-open quarterback room, could offer Joseph the perfect runway to take his game to the next level.
Why Joseph Fits What Arkansas Needs
Silverfield’s offense is expected to lean heavily on tempo, mobility, and creativity-an ideal match for a quarterback who can hurt defenses in multiple ways. Joseph brings a blend of arm strength, athleticism, and improvisational flair that’s tailor-made for modern college football. He’s dangerous in the RPO game, can extend plays with his legs, and has a knack for making something out of nothing.
Is he a finished product? No-and that’s part of what makes him intriguing.
Turnovers have been part of his story, a byproduct of a young quarterback still learning how to manage risk and reward. But he plays with confidence and leadership, traits that coaches love to mold.
In the right system, with the right development, Joseph has the tools to be a difference-maker.
He brings a certain edge to the position-a swagger that’s reminiscent of John Mateer, who transferred from Washington State to Oklahoma and made an immediate impact. Joseph could follow a similar path, stepping up from a Group of Five program and proving he belongs on the SEC stage.
A Potential Cornerstone for Silverfield’s Rebuild
For Arkansas, this isn’t just about filling a gap-it’s about setting a tone. Bringing in Joseph would give the Razorbacks a dynamic presence at quarterback, someone who can stabilize the offense while also raising its ceiling. With a roster in transition and a new coaching staff trying to establish its identity, Joseph could be the kind of player who accelerates the rebuild.
He’s not just a dual-threat quarterback-he’s a gamer. And in today’s college football landscape, those guys can change everything.
If Arkansas can land him, it might not just solve their quarterback question. It could signal the start of something bigger in Fayetteville.