After a brief lull during the early-week dead period, Arkansas came roaring back into the transfer portal spotlight on Friday, pulling in six new commitments-including a headliner in former Oregon defensive lineman Xadavien Sims. For a Razorbacks team looking to retool and reload, this latest wave of additions is a clear signal: Arkansas is not sitting back this offseason.
Let’s start with Sims, who brings both pedigree and potential. Rated by 247Sports as the No. 112 overall player in the 2024 class, Sims was also tabbed the No. 20 defensive lineman in the country and the top recruit out of Oklahoma.
That kind of ranking doesn’t come easy-it’s earned through dominant tape, physical upside, and flashes that make scouts take notice. While his time at Oregon didn’t yield much on-field production-he redshirted in 2024 after appearing in just two games-the tools are there.
Arkansas is betting on the upside, and in the SEC, where trench play separates the contenders from the rest, that’s a bet worth making.
But Sims wasn’t the only portal win for the Hogs. Arkansas also added beef to the offensive line with West Virginia transfer Ayden Bussell.
The Razorbacks have made it a priority to fortify the trenches on both sides of the ball, and Bussell fits that mold. He’s a versatile lineman who adds depth and experience to a unit that’s looking to regain its edge.
In the secondary, the Razorbacks went shopping for both experience and athleticism. They picked up Middle Tennessee State safety John Howse, Colorado safety Carter Stoutmire, and West Georgia cornerback Kyeaure Magloire.
That’s a mix of FBS and Division II talent, but each player brings something different to the table-whether it’s Howse’s physicality, Stoutmire’s range, or Magloire’s ball skills. Arkansas needed to shore up the back end of its defense, and this trio gives them more options to work with heading into spring ball.
Rounding out the group is junior college safety Nsongbeh Ginyui from Bakersfield College. JUCO players often come in with a chip on their shoulder and a hunger to prove they belong at the Power Five level. Ginyui fits that bill and will look to carve out a role in a suddenly crowded, but competitive, safety room.
With these additions, Arkansas now sits at 84.67 scholarship players-just shy of the 85-man limit. That number reflects not just quantity, but strategic intent. The Razorbacks are clearly targeting positions of need, bringing in a blend of youth, experience, and untapped potential.
It’s still early in the offseason, but this latest haul shows Arkansas isn’t waiting around. They’re actively building a roster designed to compete in the SEC, and Friday’s portal activity might just be the latest step in a bigger plan to get back on track.