Signees Thompson, Ourigou on way to Arkansas a year early FAYETTEVILLE – Both five-star guard Davion Thompson and four-star big man Caleb Ourigou have both announced their intentions to reclassify into the 2026 class and play for Arkansas this season.
Thompson originally announced his commitment to John Calipari and the Razorbacks back on June 10. He chose Arkansas over Baylor, Michigan and Vanderbilt. He announced his plans to reclassify on July 17.
Thompson, a 6-foot-2 and 185-pound point guard, played his high school basketball at Link Academy in Branson, Missouri. He is ranked as No. 21 overall player and No. 5 overall point guard in the 2026 recruiting class according to 247Sports composite recruiting rankings.
Thompson has put up incredible numbers this spring on the Nike EYBL circuit with his Meanstreets squad, averaging an impressive 21.7 points on 52% shooting from 3-point range on nearly eight attempts per game to go with 4.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.
Caleb Ourigou committed to Arkansas on July 14 following an official visit in late June. One week later, on July 21, he announced his decision to reclassify after his AAU team, the New York Rens, was eliminated from Peach Jam.
Ourigou spent his junior season with Atlanta-based Overtime Elite, where he averaged 6.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game for the Cold Hearts while shooting 62% from the field. He elevated his production at Peach Jam, posting 6.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game on 59.3% shooting in 28.2 minutes per contest.
The Woodmere, New York native stands 6-foot-10 (with shoes) and boasts a 7-foot-3 wingspan. He is a long, physical, and athletic forward who embraces contact in the paint. Ourigou shows a soft touch around the rim and flashes long-term shooting upside.
He arrives in Fayetteville as a key piece in Arkansas’ retooled frontcourt after the Razorbacks lost their entire group of big men to expired eligibility. Ourigou joins Furman transfer Cooper Bowser, international prospects Ilia Frolov and Maper Maker, and returning forward Paulo Semedo to form a new-look front court for the 2026–27 season.
Frolov, Maker, Ourigou and Thompson all signed with the Razorbacks on Tuesday.
FAYETTEVILLE – Two historic programs will face off when the Arkansas Razorbacks play the Indiana Hoosiers in Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, November 17, as part of the Bad Boy Mowers Series – New York.
John Calipari’s teams have posted a 16-12 record in 28 games played in Madison Square Garden as a college basketball coach. He first played in the “World’s Most Famous Arena” as coach of UMass, in the 1991 Final Four. His last outing at MSG came in his first season at Arkansas, when the Razorbacks defeated then No. 14 Michigan 89-87, as part of the Jimmy V Classic (Dec. 10, 2024).
Coach Calipari is 3-2 all-time versus Indiana, all of the games being during his tenure at Kentucky: Dec. 12, 2009 No. 4 UK won 90-73 at Indiana (Assembly Hall) Dec. 11, 2010 No. 17 UK won 81-62 vs Indiana (Rupp Arena) Dec. 10, 2011 No. 1 UK lost 73-72 at Indiana (Assembly Hall) March 23, 2012 No. 1 UK won 102-90 vs No. 16 Indiana in the Sweet 16 (Georgia Dome) March 19, 2016 No. 10 UK lost 73-67 vs No. 14 Indiana in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament (Wells Fargo Arena)
Arkansas is 3-2 all-time versus Indiana. Dec. 15, 1949 lost 75-50 at Indiana (Assembly Hall) March 2, 2008 won 86-72 vs Indiana in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament (Raleigh, N.C.) Nov. 18, 2018 won 73-72 vs Indiana (Bud Walton Arena) March 23, 2019 lost 63-60 at Indiana in the Second Round of the NIT (Assembly Hall) Dec. 29, 2019 won 71-64 at Indiana (Assembly Hall)
It was a busy off-season for Arkansas football following their third 2-10 season in the last eight years. Two months after Sam Pittman’s firing and three days after their season-ending 31-17 loss to Missouri, the Razorbacks hired Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield for the same role in Fayetteville.
There were many questions about Silverfield’s hiring by the media but he quickly answered them when quarterback KJ Jackson and defensive end Quincy Rhodes announced their returns to Fayetteville for the 2026 season at his introductory press conference. In addition, he flipped many 2026 instate recruits committed to other SEC programs just a few weeks after he was hired.
Silverfield and his new staff, which includes offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey, who worked in the same role with him at Memphis for the last four seasons, and defensive coordinator Ron Roberts, who served in the same role at Florida the previous two seasons and also at Auburn and Baylor began spring football together.
Being a first year head coach in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) will be difficult for Silverfield but it is important that he has offensive continuity with Cramsey and an experienced defensive play-caller in Roberts, who’s coached in the SEC for years.
The focus for Arkansas football now goes to the 2026 season, where they attempt to make it to a bowl game for the first time since the 2025 season. The SEC Media Days head to Tampa for the first time this week and the Razorbacks will definitely be selected no higher than 14th or 15th by the media.
It makes sense as the Razorbacks have failed to get to a New Year’s Bowl game since 2021 and have a single home win (No. 4 Tennessee on Oct. 5, 2024) in the last two seasons at Razorback Stadium. It gets no easier for the Hogs this season, as they travel to Utah in non-conference play before an SEC slate that includes back-to-back SEC champion Georgia and other conference contenders Texas A&M, Texas and LSU.
It hurts Arkansas that they don’t face Kentucky or Mississippi State, the two other teams expected to be picked at the bottom of the league in 2026. The good news is they will welcome the Wildcats to Fayetteville and travel to face the Bulldogs in 2027.
While Silverfield may not have the depth on his roster that other SEC programs have, he and his team can prove everyone in the league wrong with a couple of victories to begin the season in September. The Razorbacks lost many one score games in Pittman’s tenure and he can fix it by coaching his team to not make as many mistakes before the snap.
The media does not expect anything from Arkansas football this fall. Silverfield and the Razorbacks can prove them wrong with a strong season on the Hill, the first one with nine SEC conference games.
Check out the group of incoming freshmen, transfers and my early thoughts on Ryan Silverfield’s first team and coaching staff at Arkansas by clicking this link.
Check out my projected depth chart and 2026 schedule projections below:
For the first time in years, there will be a quarterback competition during fall camp in Fayetteville. Returner KJ Jackson and Memphis transfer AJ Hill have already competed through spring ball and will continue to do so when the team reunites at the end of July.
Jackson appeared in five games as a redshirt freshman and started the season finale against Missouri (Nov. 29). He completed 33-of-54 passing attempts for 441 yards and three touchdowns and carried the ball 11 times for 52 yards and two scores. He also saw action against Alabama A&M (Aug. 30), Arkansas State Texas A&M (Oct. 18) and Texas (Nov. 21) last fall. He went 6-for-7 for 48 yards in Gasparilla Bowl versus NC State (Dec. 19).
He learned Tim Crowley’s offense in the spring as he competed with AJ Hill for the starting job, who came over from Memphis with Silverfield. Hill redshirted his first and only season for the Tigers and saw action in only two games. He completed 19-of-32 passes for 223 yards with a touchdown and one interception. The Warner Robins, Ga. native made his collegiate debut at UAB (Oct. 18), passing for 175 yards on 13-of-25 with one TD and an interception. He also a
Both quarterbacks competed well through spring ball and will be expected to compete through fall camp to determine who the starting quarterback will be. Both have their pros and cons but Jefferson’s previous experience in the SEC, though limited, makes me think he will be the starter in the season-opener against North Alabama, though both guys should see play time against the Lions.
Redshirt senior Braeden Fuller, redshirt freshman Cade Trotter and incoming freshman Hank Hendrix make up the rest of the depth chart for quarterbacks coach Mitch Stewart, who replaced Clint Trickett after his short stint ended after he was hired away to become Maryland’s offensive coordinator.
Angelo State transfer Fuller will likely serve as the third-string signal-caller for the Razorbacks, saw action in 28 games and threw for 3,408 yards and 36 touchdowns in four seasons with the Rams. Trotter, a transfer from Clemson and a Highland Park High School alumnus, redshirted as a freshman before playing a scout team role in 2025. He will play behind Fuller as the fourth string quarterback in 2026.
Hank Hendrix will bring up the rear in Stewart’s room after a single season at Fayetteville High School. Hendrix, a four-star recruit according to 247 Sports, started 34 games in three years in his high school career, amassing 9,425 yards and completing 67.4% of his passes. He played his first three years at Boerne High School (TX) before transferring to Fayetteville for his junior season.
Going into the season, the media has the Razorback quarterback room as one of the worst in the SEC but Jackson or Hill can easily prove them wrong with a successful 2026 season.
Maybe the top group on the Razorback offense, the running back room has junior Braylon Russell, Memphis transfer Sutton Smith and four other capable backs.
Russell saw action in nine games and got one start as a sophomore. He totaled 55 carries and five rushing touchdowns and caught four passes for 27 yards in 2025. His best performance of the season was against Tennessee (Oct. 11), where he rushed eight times for 47 yards.
In his redshirt junior season at Memphis, Smith played in 12 games and rushed for 669 yards and seven touchdowns on 102 carries and added 20 receptions for 109 yards, 155 yards on five kick returns and 125 yards on 15 punt returns for a total of 1,058 total yards. He rushed 12 times for a career-best 147 yards and one touchdown in the Tigers’ 32-31 comeback victory against the Razorbacks back in September. Now as a redshirt senior, he will attempt to produce for the Razorback backfield next to Russell.
Settles and Parker are two rising sophomores that will be integral to Arkansas’ running back room. Settles played in nine games in 2025 for the Razorbacks. He registered 16 rushing yards on six carries while catching two passes for 16 yards. He recorded 10 rushing yards on four carries and caught one pass for five yards in a loss at Texas (Nov. 22).
Parker played in six games as a true freshman for Michigan. He rushed for 93 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. He carried the ball a season-high for a season-best 45 yards and a score against Central Michigan (Sept. 13).
Redshirt freshman Markelyin Batton and freshman TJ Hodges have major upside as the bottom of the depth chart under coach David Johnson. Batton saw action in four games as a freshman in 2025. Hodges, a four-star recruit from Bryant High School (AR), He recorded 108 carries for 900 yards, seven touchdowns and eight catches for 142 yards and three touchdowns for the Hornets as a senior.
Wide Receivers Starters: CJ Brown, Junior Chris Marshall, Redshirt Senior Ismael Cisse, Redshirt Junior
Backups: Jamari Hawkins, Redshirt Senior Antonio Jordan, Redshirt Freshman Donovan Faupel, Senior Courtney Crutchfield, Redshirt Sophomore Monte Harrison, Sophomore Jelani Watkins, Sophomore Dequane Provo, Freshman Blair Irvin III, Freshman
Arkansas puts CJ Brown and Ismael Cisse next to talented Boise State transfer Chris Marshall on the outside. Transfers Jamari Hawkins and Donovan Faupel join returners Antonio Jordan and Courtney Crutchfield on the bench.
Brown enters his third season on the Hill after playing in 12 games and getting 10 starts for the Razorbacks as a sophomore. He recorded 28 receptions for 319 yards and three touchdowns. He caught four passes for 49 yards in the Razorbacks’ win against Alabama A&M before catching five passes for 38 yards and a touchdown against Texas A&M.
Cisse suffered an injury prior to fall camp in 2025 and missed his redshirt sophomore season as a result. Prior to transferring to Arkansas, he played in all 12 games and made five starts for Stanford as a redshirt freshman. He finished the season with 26 receptions for 241 yards and two touchdowns and logged at least one reception in eight of his 12 games played, including five multi-catch performances.
After a season at Texas A&M, one at Kilgore College and two at Boise State, Marshall returned to the SEC, this time to Fayetteville as an Arkansas Razorback. While he has had off the field issues, Marshall will attempt to prove himself after starting five games and playing in 11 games, amassing 574 yards on 30 receptions with two touchdowns as a redshirt junior for the Broncos.
Hawkins, a Memphis transfer, and Faupel, a New Mexico State transfer, will be important if Arkansas can have a down the field passing attack. Hawkins, who came over to Fayetteville with Silverfield and Cramsey, caught 38 passes for 623 yards and two touchdowns and also returned three kicks for 91 yards. His 38 receptions and 623 yards were second on the team. Faupel played in all 12 games, earning Second-Team All-Conference USA from the league’s coaches. He caught 61 passes for a total of 661 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior in 2025.
After spending his freshman year at Missouri, Crutchfield, a Pine Bluff native, played in 11 games as a redshirt freshman for the Razorbacks. He caught one pass for 26 yards, the first of his career against LSU (Nov. 15). Jordan, a Warren native, saw action in losses against Texas A&M and Auburn. Crutchfield and Jordan will also be vital to Arkansas’ receiver depth in 2026.
Harrison, the former MLB outfielder, saw action in two games before suffering a season-ending injury, registering one catch for 29 yards. LSU transfer Watkins, a track star, spent two seasons in the Bayou, appearing in five games. He caught two passes for a total of 21 yards in a win over Southeastern Louisiana (Sept. 20). He also saw action against Vanderbilt (Oct. 18) and Oklahoma (Nov. 29).
Provo and Irvin, two freshmen, will be important depth pieces for the Razorbacks in 2026 after both players helped Bentonville High School to a 12-0 season. Provo, a four-star prospect according to ESPN, registered 35 catches for 713 yards and 10 touchdowns as well as 7 rushes for 55 yards as a senior at Bentonville High School. Irvin, a consensus three-star prospect according to 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN, recorded 42 receptions, 634 receiving yards, eight receiving touchdowns, two rushes for 39 yards and one rushing touchdown as a senior.
Similar to the receivers, Jaden Platt returns to Fayetteville after a solid redshirt freshman next to Boston College transfer Ty Lockwood, Memphis transfer Matt Adcock and returner Gavin Garretson.
After two seasons at Texas A&M, Platt played in 12 games and recorded 21 receptions for 296 yards and two touchdowns for Arkansas in 2025. He recorded three receptions for a career-high 53 yards in a loss to Ole Miss (Sept. 13) and a career-high four receptions, 66 yards, and a touchdown at Texas (Nov. 22).
Lockwood spent two seasons at Alabama and one at Boston College. As a redshirt sophomore for the Eagles, he played in all 12 games, mostly as a special teams player and a reserve tight end. He caught two passes for 30 yards in 2025. Adcock played his first two collegiate seasons at Mississippi Gulf Community College, he transferred to play his junior season at Memphis under Coach Silverfield. He played in 12 games while making seven starts and totaled 12 receptions for 70 yards and three touchdowns.
Garretson redshirted his freshman season in 2025. He saw action in three games, including a season-opening victory against Alabama A&M and losses to Tennessee and Texas A&M (Oct. 18).
Arkansas’ offensive line is a strong unit, being anchored by returners Caden Kitler and Kobe Branham with Bryant Williams expected to step in at right tackle after transferring from Louisiana.
After transferring from Ole Miss, Broussard saw action in six games and made one start against Missouri. He also played in games against Alabama A&M, Arkansas State, Notre Dame (Sept. 27) and Mississippi State (Nov. 1).
Breland spent three seasons at Memphis before transferring to Fayetteville when Silverfield was hired by Arkansas. As a redshirt sophomore, he started all 12 games at left guard for the Tigers. He posted a pass blocking grade of 79.6 according to PFF after allowing just one sack in 454 opportunities. He helped pave the way for a Memphis offense that averaged 420.7 yards per game while averaging 34.6 points per game.
After three seasons at UCF, Kitler transferred to Arkansas for his redshirt senior season. The Colony, Texas native started in all 11 games he saw action for the Razorbacks in 2025. He blocked for six games of 500+ yards of total offense and paved the way for 512 yards of total offense in a loss at Texas (Nov. 22).
Branham started 11 of 12 games while paving the way for six games of 500+ yards of total offense as a redshirt freshman in 2025. Like Kitler, paved the way for 512 yards of total offense in a loss at Texas (Nov. 22). He also played an important role in Arkansas’ 526 yards of total offense (305 passing and 225 rushing) in a loss at Ole Miss (Sept. 13)
Williams spent four seasons at Louisiana where he turned into a star of the Ragin’ Cajuns’ offensive line. He started 11 games and did not allow a sack and was part of an offensive line that blocked for 344.8 yards per game in 2025. The Lake Charles, Louisiana native helped Louisiana rank 31st nationally in rushing yards per game with 183.2 a contest as a redshirt junior in 2025.
Clemons spent his freshman season at Memphis before following Silverfield to Arkansas. He did not see game action in 2025. Courtney redshirted his freshman season and saw action in three games with one start. He made his first career start (Nov. 1) and also appeared in victories against Alabama A&M and Arkansas State.
Weatherspoon started all 13 games at left guard as a First-Team All-MAC selection by the league’s coaches, leading the Bobcats in offensive snaps played with 881 according to Pro Football Focus. Edmonson played in all 12 games, appearing primarily on special teams. Hawkes transferred to Arkansas after two years at Oregon State. In 2025, earning a pair of starts against Lafayette and Washington State.
Rhodes’ return to Fayetteville after the coaching change was huge for Silverfield and his staff after a season where he was on the All-SEC Second Team by the AP and Coaches. He started 11 of 12 games, tallied 44 tackles including a team-leading 15 tackles for loss and eight sacks. He became the first Razorback to register three multi-sack games in a season since Tre Williams in 2021 and the first Razorback to register double-digit tackles for loss in a season since Landon Jackson (13.5) in 2023.
Osborne spent two seasons at Alabama and one at Virginia before coming to the Hill for his redshirt junior season. He played in all 14 games for the Cavaliers, recording 15 tackles with two tackles for loss and one sack. He recorded a career-best four tackles versus Stanford (Sept. 20). Oke spent three seasons at Abilene Christian before transferring to Arkansas in 2025 and redshirting. He saw action in three games for the Razorbacks and he collected four tackles for a loss.
Sims, a high-upside end, spent two seasons at Oregon where he appeared in four games and made one tackle. Similarly, another west coast transfer Jones, who spent two seasons at USC, played in eight games and made four tackles in 2025 after redshirting his first season in Los Angeles. A third Big Ten transfer, Odom, played in two games as a freshman for Ohio State in 2025, seeing action against Grambling (Sept. 6) and Minnesota (Oct. 4).
Starters: JACK Linebacker: Steven Soles Jr., Junior Linebacker: Bradley Shaw, Junior Linebacker: Jamonta Waller, Redshirt Sophomore
Backups: JACK Linebacker: Charlie Collins, Junior, Jamonta Walker, Redshirt Sophomore Linebacker: Phoenix Jackson, Redshirt Senior, Wyatt Simmons, Redshirt Sophomore Linebacker: Jeremy Evans, Redshirt Senior, Ben Bogle, Redshirt Senior
Soles has emerged as a leader of the Arkansas linebacker room throughout the off-season. He was productive in his two seasons in Lexington at Kentucky, playing in 22 games, making 16 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and one forced fumble. The Powell, Tenn. native recorded two sacks and forced two fumbles in their 2025 season-opener against Toledo (Aug. 30).
As a sophomore, Shaw saw action in 12 games with seven starts for the Razorbacks. He tallied 50 total tackles, including five tackles for loss, two sacks, one pass breakup, one quarterback hurry, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble. He will be trusted to step up and be a starter for Arkansas in 2026 after a solid 2025 season.
Collins played in nine games and made three starts as a sophomore. He made nine tackles, including a tackle for loss. He made his first collegiate start in a season-opening win over Alabama A&M while recording two tackles (Aug. 30) and recorded three tackles in a loss to Auburn.
Jackson spent his first four seasons of college at Fresno State before transferring to Baylor for the 2025 season. There, he played in three games before suffering a season-ending injury. He logged 11 tackles before injury, eight of them against Baylor in their season-opener (Aug. 29). Fellow Baylor transfer Jeremy Evans, where he played four seasons. Across that time, he played in 29 contests and recorded 24 tackles, one forced fumble, one pass break-up and a quarterback hurry.
Waller saw limited action in his two seasons at Auburn. As a freshman in 2024, he saw action in two games before a season-ending foot injury wiped out his freshman season. He recorded one tackle vs. Alabama A&M (Aug. 31) in his collegiate debut. He did not see any action in 2025.
Johnson was one of the top available cornerbacks in the transfer portal after three years and two impressive seasons at Group of Six powerhouse Tulane. He started all 14 games seeing the field for a team-high 834 defensive snaps. The Hammond, La. native made 42 tackles with one tackle for loss, one forced fumble and four interceptions to earn All-American Conference Honorable Mention in 2025.
Former Washington and North Carolina defender, House made 16 starts across 24 games the last two seasons. He led the Tar Heels with 81 tackles after being voted a team captain and earned All-ACC Honorable Mention after his efforts during the 2025 season.
Stoutmire was a vital part of the Colorado defensive backfield for three seasons, playing in 32 games, starting in 15 of them. Over his time in Boulder, he made 91 tackles, 12 pass breakups, 1 tackle for loss, four quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. Three year Clemson defensive back Lewis has seen action in 27 games and made six starts. He made 23 tackles and two interceptions as a Tigers.
Roland played 27 games at Maryland before transferring to Arkansas in the off-season. He posted 31 tackles, one for loss and a team-high three interceptions in 2025. Fellow former Terrapin Lee started two of 15 games in the two seasons he was in College Park. He recorded 19 tackles, one for loss and an interception.
Former Auburn and Georgia State defensive back Scott missed his one season on the plains after tearing his ACL. After transferring to play one season with Panthers, playing in two games and making four tackles. Hairston played in all nine games, making 18 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and one fumble recovery during his freshman year at Hinds Community College.
A former Eastern Kentucky and West Georgia transfer, Magloire played in 30 games, tallied 80 tackles, nine pass breakups, three interceptions and recovered one fumble across three seasons. After two seasons at Tennessee and one at Cincinnati, Harrison brings experience to Fayetteville after starting all 12 games at safety in 2025. He made 66 tackles, seven pass breakups, 2.5 tackles for loss and one interception for the Bearcats.
After two seasons at Florida, Mitchell has impressed in Fayetteville, seeing action in 17 games over the last two seasons and making 72 tackles, two interceptions and one pass break up. Ginyui appeared in 10 games, tallied 47 total tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, four pass breakups and a tackle for loss in one season at Bakersfield College.
Hicks redshirted his only season at Iowa State and played three games on special teams. Williams played in 13 games as a true freshman, making six tackles at Memphis before following Silverfield to Arkansas. Lockett, a San Diego native, transferred to play at Conway High School after pledging to Arkansas. As a senior for the Wampus Cats, he recorded 56 tackles, 10 pass breakups, a forced fumble and three interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns, in 2025.
Special Teams Placekicker: Max Gilbert, Redshirt Junior Kickoffs: Braeden McCalister, Redshirt Senior Punter: Gavin Rush, Redshirt Freshman Long Snapper: Adam Johnston, Redshirt Junior Kick Returner: Sutton Smith, Redshirt Senior Punt Returner: Sutton Smith, Redshirt Senior
Gilbert kicked all 26 of Tennessee’s games the last two seasons. He made 14-of-18 field goals and all 64 point after attempts as a redshirt sophomore in 2025. The Memphis native missed a potential game-winning field goal against Georgia (Sept. 13) but his production outside of that suggests that he will be a good replacement for former Razorback placekicker Scott Starzyk, who transferred to rival LSU in the off-season.
Georgia State transfer McCalister kicked in all 12 games for the Panthers, primarily as the team’s kickoff specialist. Of his 43 kickoffs, 36 were touchbacks. He is expected to fill the same role in Fayetteville as Silverfield’s first kickoff man.
Rush redshirted his freshman season at Arkansas. He will be expected to start at punter as a redshirt freshman following a 2025 season where he only appeared as a holder in the win against Arkansas State.
Former Modesto Junior College and Sacramento State long snapper Johnston will fulfill the same role at Arkansas. He earned Honorable Mention after handling all long snapping duties for the Hornets in 2025.
Smith had 155 yards on five kick returns and 125 yards on 15 punt returns for Memphis in 2025. He will be expected to fill both roles for Arkansas in 2026 alongside his running back duties.
Saturday, September 5 North Alabama 3:15 p.m. CT / SEC Network Arkansas opens the 2026 campaign and Ryan Silverfield’s Razorback tenure against North Alabama in the first meeting between the programs. The game is set for Sept. 5 in Fayetteville, giving Silverfield his first chance to coach Arkansas.
North Alabama is coming off a 2-10 season in 2025, matching Arkansas’ record from last fall. The Lions’ lost their only game against FBS competition to Western Kentucky 55-6 (Aug. 30) and their only wins came against Northeastern State (Sept. 13) and Eastern Kentucky (Oct. 18) last fall.
Before heading to Fayetteville, North Alabama opens its 2026 season at home against Samford on Aug. 29. That gives the Lions one tune-up before facing Arkansas, while the Razorbacks enter Week 1 with a first-time opponent on the schedule.
Arkansas should be favored on paper, especially with North Alabama replacing almost all the pieces of a tough 2025 season. The main storyline is whether Silverfield’s debut can set the tone immediately, while North Alabama will try to prove it can handle an SEC road trip after opening with Samford.
Arkansas will dominate North Alabama to open Silverfield’s tenure. The Razorbacks offense will overwhelm the Lions’ defense giving their defense time on the sidelines. North Alabama will continue their road trip to Southeastern Louisiana (Sept. 12) for week 2 action.
Saturday, September 12 at Utah 9:15 p.m. / ESPN The Razorbacks travel to Salt Lake City for their first ever matchup against Utah for a late-night duel against the Utes in week 2.
Utah finished with a 10-2 overall record and won seven games in their second season in the Big 12. The Utes fell to the two teams that appeared in the conference championship game last fall, Texas Tech and BYU. That was a big reason why they were ranked No. 15 in the final College Football Playoff rankings, five spots away from an at-large bid to make an appearance. After the season, their head coach Kyle Whittingham moved on to the same role at Michigan. Longtime defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley has taken over for his mentor.
Before the Utes host the Razorbacks, they open the season at home in Salt Lake City against Idaho on a Thursday (Sept. 3). Scalley’s team will get one cupcake game before they welcome Arkansas to town (Sept. 12).
Scalley retained senior quarterback Devon Dampier, junior tailback Parker Wayshawn and three starters on defense following Whittingham’s exit. Utah State transfer Braden Pegan and San Jose State transfer Kyri Shoels are experienced receivers that will help Dampier down the field. The overall success for the Utah offense will likely depend on the success of the offensive line that replaces all five starters.
The three returning starters for the Utes’ defense, senior linebacker Johnathan Hall, senior cornerback Elijah Davis and junior safety Jackson Bennee will be vital to their success in the front seven and on the back end. After having trouble stopping the run at the end of last season, the Utes added more defensive line talent from the transfer portal including San Jose State’s Jireh Moe and Wyoming’s Lucas Samsula. If all three parts of the defense come together, they can contend for a Big 12 title in their third season in the league.
With Arkansas’ inexperience at quarterback and nine new starters, it is hard to see the Razorbacks going into Rice-Eccles Stadium and getting a victory in Silverfield’s second game as head coach. However, it is just Scalley’s second game as head coach of the Utes, too. If the Razorbacks are going to win, it will come down to Braylen Russell making a touchdown run or Quincy Rhodes making a big sack in the fourth quarter to overcome the Utes.
Utah will outlast Arkansas at home thanks to the combination Dampier and Parker in the backfield. They will be too much for a new-look Razorback defense. After the Utes take on Arkansas they finish their three game home stand to open the 2026 season against Utah State.
Saturday, September 19 Georgia 11 a.m. / ABC Arkansas welcomes Georgia to Fayetteville for the first time since they opened the SEC-only 2020 schedule against the Bulldogs.
Georgia went 12-2 and 7-1 in the SEC and won their second consecutive conference championship after defeating Alabama 28-7 in Atlanta. The Bulldogs have failed to make the College Football Playoff Semifinals for the second consecutive season after SEC foe Ole Miss (Jan. 1) defeated them 39-34 in the Sugar Bowl.
Before the Bulldogs travel to Fayetteville to face Arkansas (Sept. 19), they welcome Western Kentucky to Athens (Sept. 12). Georgia should have a 2-0 record entering SEC play after victories over Tennessee State (Sept. 5) in week 1 and the Hilltoppers in week 2.
Mike Bobo’s unit returns starter Stetson Bennett and tailback Nate Frazier behind center and three offensive lineman. After losing former USC transfer Zachiarah Branch at receiver to the NFL, Georgia grabbed junior Isaiah Canion from rival Georgia Tech to play next to sophomore Sacovie White-Helton and freshman Talyn Taylor at wide receiver.
Glenn Schumann’s group returns six starters from 2025, headlined by senior linebacker Raylen Wilson and junior safety KJ Bolden. Wilson and Bolden are joined by a group on the line including senior end Gabe Harris Jr. and junior nose tackle Xzavier McLeod. Wilson will play at linebacker next to junior Quintavius Johnston and Bolden stands next to sophomore cornerback Ellis Robinson IV in the Bulldog secondary.
Georgia will overwhelm Arkansas in Silverfield’s SEC opener. The Razorbacks offense will fail to get going thanks to Wilson at linebacker and Bolden at safety. The Bulldogs’ offense, led by Stockton and Frazier, will overcome the Razorback defense and start SEC play on a good note. Kirby Smart’s team is capable of making the College Football Playoff and advancing far and they will show their capabilities on Sept. 19.
Georgia will continue SEC play when they return home to face fellow 2025 College Football Playoff team Oklahoma (Sept. 26) to close out the opening month of the regular season. The Bulldogs will matchup with the Sooners for the first time since UGA out dueled OU 54-48 in double overtime in the Rose Bowl to send them to the national championship game.
Saturday, September 26 Tulsa 7 p.m. / SEC Network + The Razorbacks face off with one of the most common opponents in their history, the Golden Hurricane to end the month of September. Tulsa will face Arkansas in Fayetteville for the first time since 2018, when the Razorbacks defeated the Golden Hurricanes 23-0 at Razorback Stadium.
During Tre Lamb’s first season as head coach, Tulsa went 4-8 and 1-7 in the American Conference. The Golden Hurricane defeated Oklahoma State (Sept. 19), Oregon State (Nov. 15), and got their lone conference victory against Army (Nov. 22) on the second to last Saturday of the regular season.
Tulsa welcomes East Texas A&M to town in week 3 (Sept. 19) prior to their week 4 trip to Fayetteville after hosting instate opponent Oklahoma State (Sept. 5) and travels to Huntsville to face Sam Houston State (Sept. 12) before they face the Lions.
Sophomore quarterback Baylor Hayes will be trusted as an “x-factor” for Tulsa, especially after leading the Golden Hurricane to a victory over the Cowboys last season. They get a similar opportunity against the Razorbacks this season, and if Old Dominion transfer Trequan Jones and an offensive line led by returning right tackle Cam East can help him out, they may have a chance to defeat the Razorbacks.
Big plays killed Tulsa’s defense in 2025. With only Hayes and East back for the Golden Hurricane offense, six return for the TU defense including senior defensive lineman Tai Newhouse, junior cornerbacks JD Drew and Elijah Green, junior star Devin Robinson and junior safety Zach Williams will be crucial to their success in 2026, especially against Arkansas.
The Razorbacks cannot overlook Tulsa, especially after facing Georgia (Sept. 19) the previous Saturday. Arkansas’ offense will definitely be challenged against the Tulsa defense. As a result, the Razorbacks’ defense will have to limit Hayes, who threw 2,158 yards and 12 touchdowns last season and his tailback, Jones.
Arkansas and Tulsa will go back-and-forth in the first quarter but the Razorbacks’ athletes at running back and wide receiver including Braylen Russell, Sutton Smith, Chris Marshall, CJ Brown and Ismael Cisse will help the Razorbacks overcome the Golden Hurricane.
The Golden Hurricane begin American Conference play against North Texas (Oct. 1) when they return home to Tulsa. The Mean Green will have to rebuild after losing head coach Eric Morris and most of his roster to Oklahoma State under new head coach Neal Brown.
Saturday, October 3 at Texas A&M Flex 2:30-3:30 or 5-7 p.m. / TBA Arkansas heads to College Station and will face Texas A&M at Kyle Field for the first time since 2020, when the Aggies defeated the Razorbacks 42-31 on their way to a 11-1 regular season.
Texas A&M started the 2025 season 11-0 prior to dropping their final two games. Had the Aggies defeated Texas (Nov. 28), they would have made their first appearance in the SEC Championship game. After their second loss to the Longhorns in as many seasons, A&M failed to score a touchdown against Miami (Dec. 20) in the opening round of the College Football Playoff. The Hurricanes defeated the Aggies 10-3 at Kyle Field.
Texas A&M will be traveling home from Baton Rouge after facing rival LSU (Sept. 26) before returning home to face Arkansas at Kyle Field. The Aggies, who also play Kentucky (Sept. 19), will have already played two SEC games before they face the Razorbacks (Oct. 3).
Following the disappointing end to the season, offensive coordinator Collin Klein returned to his alma mater to become the head coach at Kansas State. Wide receiver coach Holman Wiggins was promoted to replace Klein. Wiggins is lucky that Texas A&M returned junior quarterback Marcel Reed, leading rusher, junior Rueben Owens, junior Mario Craver and sophomore Ashton Bethel-Roman at receiver and senior Mark Nabou at center.
The Aggie secondary profiles as its best room on defense in 2026. Senior safeties Marcus Ratcliffe and Dalton Brooks in addition to junior cornerback Dezz Ricks will be a tough group to pass against this fall. A&M was fourth in the nation in sacks last season but SEC Player of the Year Cashius Howell is gone. Sophomore defensive end Marco Jones or transfer Anto Saka are expected to fill Howell’s role. Senior Daymion Sanford is expected to anchor the linebacking core for Texas A&M.
Whether the starting quarterback is Jackson or Hill, they will have to be schooled up on SEC secondaries because A&M’s secondary is going to be one of the best in the country let alone the nation. In addition, Arkansas’ wide receivers will have to have their heads on a swivel looking for Ratcliffe, Brooks and Ricks making a big play for the Aggies’ defense. Last season, the Arkansas defense gave up 45 points in their three-point loss (Oct. 18). If the Razorbacks want to win versus Texas A&M this season, Quincy Rhodes, Bradley Shaw and Jahiem Johnson will have to step up and make big plays for Arkansas.
The game may be close in the first half, but the Kyle Field crowd will be too much too muster for the Razorbacks to deal with. Texas A&M should move to 2-0 in the SEC with a win over the Razorbacks.
Texas A&M will travel to Columbia after facing Arkansas. The Aggies will play annual opponent Missouri (Oct. 10), looking for their third straight victory against the Tigers.
Saturday, October 10 Tennessee Flex 2:30-3:30 or 5-7 p.m. / TBA Arkansas and Tennessee square off at Razorback Stadium for the first time since 2024, a 19-14 upset for the Razorbacks over the then No. 4 ranked Volunteers (Oct. 5).
Tennessee welcomes Auburn (Oct. 3) to Knoxville before they return to Fayetteville for the first time in two seasons. The Volunteers will face the Tigers for the first time since 2020, when AU defeated UT 30-17.
Tennessee was solid during the 2025 season, winning eight games overall and four in the SEC. The Volunteers’ quarterback Joey Aguilar led the league in passing yards per game and last season but is out of eligibility. Outside of their efficient offense led by Aguilar, the Tennessee defense was not good at stopping their opponents, allowing 30 or more points seven times.
Now, Volunteers’ fans expect their team to return to the College Football Playoff. As a result of their lack of success on defense last fall, head coach Josh Heupel hired Jim Knowles, the former Penn State defensive coordinator to the same position after firing Tim Eubanks. Three starting defenders return to Knoxville including senior weak side linebacker Arion Carter, junior strong safety Edges Fardoq, and sophomore Ty Redmond next to multiple former Nittany Lions following Knowles, including senior middle linebacker Amare Campbell.
Without Aguilar, there will be a quarterback competition between redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and Colorado transfer Ryan Staub, who enters his third collegiate season. Six returning starters are back to play in Heupel’s offense, including junior tailback DeSean Bishop, junior receiver Mike Matthews, sophomore receiver Braylon Staley and four of five offensive linemen.
For Arkansas to defeat Tennessee for the fifth time in six attempts, they will have to be very good. If inexperienced quarterback MacIntyre is the starter for the Volunteers this season, and Quincy Rhodes Jr., Hunter Osborne and Bradley Shaw get to the quarterback, they can set up the Arkansas offense with better field position. UT’s defense should be better but the Razorback offense should be able to advance the ball down the field.
The inexperience of Silverfield and his coaching staff in the SEC will be the reason why Tennessee will outlast Arkansas and defeat them by just three points. If the Volunteers win against the Razorbacks this season, they will begin their first win streak against UA since 2000, when they won three straight games (2000-2002).
Tennessee will renew the “Third Saturday in October” rivalry against Alabama (Oct. 17) in Knoxville after facing the Razorbacks. The Volunteers have defeated the Crimson Tide back-to-back times in Knoxville, winning 52-49 in 2022 and 24-17 in 2024.
Saturday, October 17 at Vanderbilt Flex 2:30-3:30 or 5-7 p.m. / TBA The Razorbacks will play Vanderbilt in Nashville for the first time since 2011. Arkansas came from behind and won that game against the Commodores 31-28 en route to an 11-win season.
Vanderbilt will face their old cross-division rivalry versus Ole Miss (Oct. 10) for the first time since 2023 before facing Arkansas (Oct. 17). The Commodores will attempt to end a five-game losing streak to the Rebels.
Vanderbilt comes off of a 10-win season in 2025 on the back of a Heisman runner-up season from Diego Pavia and tight end Eli Stowers, who both head to the NFL after a tremendous two-year run on the West End. The Commodores won six of their first eight games last fall with victories against SEC opponents South Carolina, LSU, Missouri and Tennessee before dropping their bowl game to Iowa.
Clark Lea replaced Pavia with five-star quarterback Jared Curtis, a Nashville native and a former Georgia commit behind center. Curtis will stand next to productive running back Sedrick Alexander and wide receiver Junior Sherrill. Only one offensive lineman, senior left guard Cade McConnell returns as a starter next to fellow four-year tight end Cole Spence.
Five starters are back for what was a so/so Vanderbilt defense in 2025. They are senior defensive end Miles Capers, inside linebacker Bryan Longwell, cornerback Martel Height and junior defensive tackle Glenn Seabrooks III. Three Power 4 transfers join the Commodore defense for this fall, so Lea’s unit should be ready to compete for another season above VU’s previous standards before his tenure in Nashville.
This is a winnable game for Arkansas but it is on the road. The Razorbacks have not played on the gridiron in Nashville in 15 years and it comes in a season with their first-year head coach, who last coached in the same state. Silverfield’s team will go back into the “Volunteer State” after falling to Tennessee the week before and upset Vanderbilt, their first SEC win since Oct. 26, 2024 at Mississippi State.
After their first opportunity to play the Razorbacks in over a decade, Vanderbilt travels to Lexington to face Kentucky (Oct. 17). The Commodores will attempt to continue their success against the Wildcats in UK’s first season with new head coach Will Stein.
Saturday, October 31 Missouri Flex 2:30-3:30 or 5-7 p.m. / TBA With the SEC moving to a nine-game football schedule in 2026, Missouri will travel to Fayetteville and face Arkansas at Razorback Stadium for the second consecutive season. The Razorbacks will not face the Tigers the final weekend of the regular season for the first time since 2020.
Missouri will travel to Oxford to face Ole Miss (Oct. 17) before taking their bye week ahead of their game against Arkansas (Oct. 31) on Halloween. The Tigers and Razorbacks will both be coming off of their bye weeks entering their matchup.
Eli Drinkwitz’s team was solid in 2025, but could not make their first College Football Playoff appearance because injuries forced then freshman quarterback Matt Zollers into a role he was not ready for. Missouri still won eight games overall and four in the SEC thanks to a strong running game and defense but without a strong passing offense, the Tigers failed to defeat Alabama, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M or Oklahoma. Tailback Ahmad Hardy’s physical running style powered UM’s offense last season.
Tragedy hit when junior running back Hardy was shot in the off-season. His availability will be in question but backup Jamal Roberts is capable and he should be a quality piece beside Ole Miss transfer Austin Simmons, who began the 2025 season as the starter for the Rebels before getting injured and Trinidad Chambliss taking over for him and leading them to the College Football Playoff Semifinals. Senior tight end Brett Norfleet and left tackle Cayden Green headline five returners to the Tiger offense in 2026.
Corey Batoon’s defense was incredible in 2025, allowing just 18.9 points a game. There will be a new-look unit for him this fall after all 11 defenders that played for Batoon exited the program. Cornerback transfers Chris Graves Jr. (Ole Miss) and Jahlil Florence (Oregon), and linebacker Robert Woodyard Jr. (Auburn) will be the guys Arkansas offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey will have to game plan for weeks ahead of their matchup.
Arkansas has not defeated Missouri since the 2021 season. For the Razorbacks to defeat Drinkwitz and the Tigers, it will take a phenomenal defensive performance against the dynamic quarterback Simmons, a rushing attack that could include Hardy, Roberts, and the tight end Norfleet. The Razorbacks will keep it close, but Missouri will defeat Arkansas by ten points.
The Tigers return home to face Texas (Nov. 7) to begin the final month of the regular season. The last time Missouri and Texas battled was in the 2017 Texas Bowl, when the Longhorns defeated the Tigers 33-16.
Saturday, November 7 at Auburn Early 11 a.m.-Noon / TBA As Arkansas begins the final month of the regular season, they will attempt to continue their two-game winning streak at Auburn inside Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Auburn faces Ole Miss (Oct. 31) in Oxford on Halloween before hosting Arkansas. The Rebels will look to continue a two-game winning streak against the Tigers.
Auburn has not had a winning record since 2019. After Hugh Freeze’s last team on the Plains went 5-7 and won their only SEC game in Fayetteville against Arkansas (Oct. 25), his offensive acumen should be what gets the Tigers back on the right foot again in 2026.
The former South Florida coach brought key staff members and offensive contributors from the Bulls including quarterback Byrum Brown, wide receivers Chas Nimrod, Keshaun Singleton, Jeremiah Koger and center Cole Brown. Brown eclipsed 3,000 passing yards in both the 2023 and 2025 seasons after an injury half way through 2024 cut his season short. Senior running back Jeremiah Cobb returns to Auburn after rushing for 969 yards and five scores in 2025.
Golesh retained defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, who was up for the permanent head coaching position after serving in the interim role to finish the 2025 season. Durkin returns a centerpiece at the linebacker position Xavier Atkins, a first team All-SEC selection with 17 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and two forced fumbles last fall. Sophomore Elijah Melendez will complement Atkins at linebacker while the Tigers’ safety position is filled with depth, including junior Fred Gaskin III, Sylvester Smith, and sophomore Eric Winters.
Silverfield is a perfect 3-0 against Golesh during their time as head coach in the American Conference at Memphis and USF respectively. Will Auburn protect their home field against Arkansas, end that streak and defeat the Razorbacks for the first time since 2020? Coming into the 2026 season, the Tigers’ roster looks much better than Arkansas’. But something tells me Silverfield’s team will get a few wins no one expects them to get. The Razorbacks will walk into Jordan-Hare Stadium and grab their second SEC win of the season.
After facing the Razorbacks, Auburn returns to the state of Mississippi when they travel to Starkville to face Mississippi State (Nov. 14).
Saturday, November 14 South Carolina Flex 2:30-3:30 or 5-7 p.m. / TBA Arkansas will face South Carolina in Fayetteville for just the first time since 2022, when the Razorbacks defeated the Gamecocks 44-30.
South Carolina welcomes Texas A&M (Nov. 7) to open the final month of the regular season before traveling to face Arkansas (Nov. 14). The Gamecocks and Aggies have faced each other the last 12 seasons when they became cross-division rivals after being the Razorbacks’ cross-division opponent since the two teams joined the SEC.
After beginning the season ranked 11th in the AP Poll, South Carolina went 4-8 and won a single SEC game in 2025. Shane Beamer’s job is on the line after the Gamecocks’ only wins against Power 4 competition were against Virginia Tech (Aug. 31) and Kentucky (Sept. 27), which both came in the first month of the regular season.
Without support from his offensive line and a coordinator that forced him to limit his rushing ability, LaNorris Sellers and the Carolina offense faltered last fall. The defense was average after losing multiple players to the NFL Draft following the 2024 season.
As a result, Beamer fired Mike Shula and hired former Arkansas offensive coordinator Kendal Briles for the same position in Columbia. Sellers is a similar quarterback to Briles’ last quarterback in Fayetteville, KJ Jefferson, a big body athlete with a big arm and a tremendous athlete. Sellers can thrive in this system with Nyck Harbor and his brother Jayden Sellers back at wide receiver.
The rest of the offense will be the problem for the Gamecocks. Sophomore Matt Fuller is expected to step in at tailback while tackle Josiah Thompson is out for the season and transfer Jacarrius Peak is questionable for the start of the season with a lingering knee injury.
Clayton White’s defense has many questions for the 2026 season. Star end Dylan Stewart sat out spring ball with a back issue so his availability will be critical throughout the season, especially as much as he was double-teamed last fall. Stewart is one of five returners for the South Carolina defense, including linebackers Judge Collier, Jayr Johnson, Justin Okoronkwo and safety Peyton Williams.
As Briles goes back to Fayetteville for the first time since Arkansas’ 44-30 victory against the Gamecocks four years ago, South Carolina could enter their battle against the Razorbacks having already fired their head coach, Beamer. If this is the case, which it could be, Silverfield and his team could take advantage of that. However, Sellers, Harbor, and Stewart won’t want to give up on their season. South Carolina will get their first win in Fayetteville since 2013 (Oct. 12) after defeating the Razorbacks.
South Carolina wraps up SEC play against rival Georgia (Nov. 21) when they return home from Fayetteville after facing Arkansas. The Gamecocks and Bulldogs will match up for the first time since the 2023 season when they meet up the second to last Saturday of the regular season.
Saturday, November 21 at Texas Afternoon 2:30-3:30 p.m. / TBA Arkansas will travel to Austin to face Texas for the second consecutive season after the SEC moved to nine league games. The Razorbacks and Longhorns will meet up in the Afternoon window for the third consecutive season.
Texas travels to Baton Rouge to face LSU (Nov. 14) before returning to Austin to face Arkansas (Nov. 21). The Longhorns and Tigers could be two College Football Playoff contenders late into November, setting up an important matchup likely set up in primetime.
After insane expectations ahead of the 2025 season, Texas failed to make the College Football Playoff after back-to-back appearances the two seasons before. Losses to Ohio State (Aug. 30), Florida (Oct. 4), and Georgia (Nov. 15). After their loss to the Bulldogs, the Longhorns finished the season strong, winning their final three games against Arkansas, Texas A&M, and Michigan in the Citrus Bowl.
Arch Manning threw 11 touchdowns with only one interception during the final five games of the regular season. With Auburn transfer Cam Coleman, who has caught 13 touchdown passes over the last two seasons, joining returners Ryan Wingo and Emmett Mosely V on the outside, it should be an easier start to the season for Manning and the Texas passing attack. Arizona State transfer Raleek Brown and North Carolina State transfer Hollywood Smothers will form a solid duo in the backfield for Steve Sarkisian. They will play behind a line that returns senior Connor Robertson and junior right guard Brandon Baker.
Sarkisian made an interesting decision when he fired defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatiwski (whose defenses gave up an average of 18.1 points per game in the last three seasons) in hopes of an even better one with the hire of Will Muschamp, who returns to Austin to fill the same position he had from 2008-2010, after serving on Kirby Smart’s staff at Georgia for the past five seasons. Muschamp has playmakers at every level with end Colin Simmons (12 sacks in 2025), linebackers Ty’Anthony Smith, Rasheem Biles (Pittsburgh transfer), Justin Cryer (Florida State) and safety Jelani McDonald, who led the team in tackles and interceptions in 2025).
After welcoming Texas to the SEC with a dominant 40-21 in 2021, Arkansas has fallen to the Longhorns in back-to-back seasons since they joined the league. For the Razorbacks to win this late-season rivalry battle, they cannot give up over 50 points to Manning and the elite Longhorn offense, like they did in the 52-37 defeat last season.
Now, Arkansas has to return to Austin for the second consecutive season after the league’s move to nine conference games. With Manning at quarterback, Coleman, Wing, and Mosley at receiver, and Brown and Smothers at tailback, and a defense that includes Simmons up front and McDonald on the back end, Texas is in a different class than Arkansas right now. The Longhorns will defeat the Razorbacks on their way to a third College Football Playoff appearance in four seasons.
Texas finishes the regular season against instate rival Texas A&M on Black Friday in the Lone Star Showdown. The Longhorns look for their third consecutive win against the Aggies since they joined the SEC and their first College Football Playoff appearance since the 2024 season.
Saturday, November 28 LSU Early 11 a.m.-Noon / TBA Arkansas and LSU will return to the traditional spot on the schedule for the first time since the 2013 season, when the Tigers defeated the Razorbacks, 31-27.
After hosting Texas, LSU begins a two-game road trip, starting in Knoxville against Tennessee. In his first season in Baton Rouge, Lane Kiffin will face two teams he used to coach, Ole Miss (Sept. 19) and UT (Nov. 21) before wrapping up the regular season against Arkansas (Nov. 28).
Following a 7-6 season that included only three wins in the SEC, LSU fired Brian Kelly. That led to one of the craziest coaching moves in SEC history when the Tigers welcomed Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin to take over the same position on the Bayou. While Kiffin’s Rebels made it all the way to the College Football Playoff Semifinals, LSU fell to Houston 38-35 in the Texas Bowl (Dec. 27).
After the Rebels did not allow Kiffin to coach his team in the playoffs after he announced his departure from Oxford, he tried to recruit some of his coaches and players to join him in Baton Rouge. He was successful in adding his offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., who was a big part in Ole Miss’ deep run last season.
While he did not get Trinidad Chambliss to join him, one of the top transfer portal quarterbacks in the country, Sam Leavitt, formerly of Arizona State will get to throw passes to former Florida wideout Eugene Wilson III and behind the top left tackle transfer in the nation, former Colorado left tackle Jordan Seaton. The LSU offense also returns senior center Brain Moore, junior playmaker at tight end Trey’Dez Green, and sophomore right tackle Weston Davis to their offense. Running backs Caden Durham and Harlem Barry will be important to establish the ground game and open up passing lanes for Leavitt.
Like Golesh at Auburn, Kiffin retained defensive coordinator Blake Baker to coach Princewill Umanmielen (9 sacks in 2025) and linebacker TJ Dottery (SEC-leading 98 tackles), who both followed him to LSU. Senior linebacker Whit Weeks, junior cornerback PJ Woodland and safety Tamarcus Cooley will return to play for Baker under Kiffin, forming a unit that could be impressive in 2026. All-American cornerback Mansoor Delane is now playing in the NFL so Woodland and Cooley will have to lead their younger group that will be sitting on the bench.
With LSU back as the final game of the regular season, there should be excitement in Fayetteville when the Tigers come to town for their Saturday after Thanksgiving battle against Arkansas depending on where they are entering the final weekend of the regular season. While I am not confident in Leavitt and the new-look LSU passing attack, I am confident in Weis’ play-calling ability. The Tigers’ defense looks strong and has multiple returners and transfers that are elite. Arkansas will keep this game close in the first half but a turnover by the Razorbacks will help LSU win the Golden Boot Trophy for the fifth consecutive time.
If Kiffin’s first season in the Bayou goes well, the Tigers could be back in the SEC Championship game (Dec. 4) for the first time since 2022. Georgia defeated LSU 37-10 en route to a second consecutive national championship victory.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Talking Season kicks off for the Southeastern Conference on July 20 at Media Days in Tampa, with the Arkansas Razorbacks taking their turn on Thursday, July 23, with offensive lineman Caden Kitler, running back Sutton Smith and defensive lineman Quincy Rhodes will join first-year head coach Ryan Silverfield on the podium.
Kitler started all 11 games of his redshirt junior season in 2025 and is set for another season of leading of one of the better offensive lines in the SEC. He helped pave the way for six games of 500+ yards of total offense and a 119-yard increase in rushing yards, behind tailback Mike Washington, who is now on the Las Vegas Raiders. Kitler and the Arkansas offensive line allowed 29 sacks last season, the fewest by a Razorback team since 2019 (19 sacks), and two games without a sack, one against Arkansas State (Sept. 6) and the other against Ole Miss (Sept. 13).
Smith followed Silverfield after four seasons at Memphis. As a redshirt junior, Smith played in all 12 games for the Tigers, rushing for 669 yards and seven scores on 102 carries. He caught 20 passes for 109 yards, 155 yards on five kick returns and 1,058 yards on 15 punt returns. Smith had three 100-yard rushing games, highlighted by his 12 carries for a career-high 147 yards and one touchdown against Arkansas (Sept. 20). His 64-yard touchdown with 4:51 left in the game was the winning score. Smith also rushed for 100 or more yards against conference foes Troy (Sept. 13) and East Carolina (Nov. 15). Smith should thrive behind a Caden Kitler-led offensive line along with his backfield mate Braylen Russell.
Rhodes Jr. enters the 2026 season as one of the top defensive linemen in the SEC. He broke out as a junior, totaling 44 tackles with a team-leading 15.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, six quarterback-hurries and a forced fumble. His 15.5 tackles for loss were the most since Trey Fowlers registered the same number during the 2015 season. He is also the first Razorback to have double-digit tackles in a season since Landon Jackson (13.5 TFL) in 2023 and was the first Razorback to record three multi-sack games in a season since Tre Williams in 2021. Rhodes Jr. finished the regular season ranking 13th nationally and second in the SEC in tackles for loss per game (1.23) and 23rd nationally in sacks per game (0.67).
For Silverfield, it is his first appearance at SEC Media Days. He was one of the most successful head coaches in the country over the last six seasons at Memphis, going 50-25 overall and 27-13 in the American Conference. He led the Tigers to a pair of 10-win seasons in back-to-back seasons in 2023 and 2024.
Arkansas kicks off the 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5, when they welcome North Alabama to Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium for a 3:15 p.m. matchup on SEC Network.
Click this link to see all of players attending 2026 SEC Media Days from all 16 teams.
PHILADELPHIA – A program-record 12 Arkansas players were selected at the 2026 MLB Draft, July 11-12 in Philadelphia, overcoming the Razorbacks’ previous record of 11, which was set a year ago.
Three Arkansas players were selected in Saturday’s first round. Junior catcher Ryder Helfrick was selected with the No. 15 overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Helfrick is the highest-drafted catcher in program history and the ninth Razorback hitter to be selected in the first round of the draft.
With its three first-rounders, Arkansas, which has now had at least one player selected in each of the past 52 MLB drafts since 1975, became the first program in draft history with seven first-rounders over a two-draft span (2025-26).
Sophomore right-hander Carson Wiggins was chosen with the No. 27 overall pick by the New York Mets. Redshirt sophomore left-hander Hunter Dietz was selected eight picks later by a team from the same state, the New York Yankees with the No. 35 overall pick. Wiggins and Dietz became the 16th and 17th first-round selections in program history, as well as the seventh and eighth pitchers from the program to be taken in the first round. Arkansas now had seven first round selections the last two years after three selected in the top 40 picks in 2026 picks.
Junior right-hander Gabe Gaeckle was selected by the Oakland Athletics with the No. 73 overall pick while the Miami Marlins picked junior infielder Camden Kozeal 15 picks later at No. 87 overall.
On day two, five more Razorbacks were selected. In the fifth round, the Kansas City Royals selected right-hander Ethan McElvain with the 151st pick. Four rounds later, redshirt junior outfielder Damian Ruiz was picked by the Cincinnati Reds with the 272nd pick. In the 11th round, the New York Mets selected their second Arkansas player, junior outfielder Kuhio Aloy with the No. 330 selection. Junior left-hander Colin Fisher was picked by the San Francisco Giants in the 13th round, at No. 388 overall.
A round later, the Los Angeles Angels selected junior left-hander Tate McGuire at No. 409 overall. In the 17th round, redshirt junior right-hander Cooper Dossett was the third Razorback selected by the New York Mets with the No. 510 overall pick in the 17th round. The final Arkansas player picked was senior left-hander Parker Coil, in the 20th round at No. 603 overall.
Since Nate Thompson took over as hitting coach and recruiting coordinator in 2018, Arkansas has produced a nation-leading 76 MLB Draft picks, split between 42 pitchers and 32 position players.
Since Matt Hobbs’ arrival as pitching coach in 2019, 38 Razorback pitchers have been drafted, with 26 of them coming in the first 10 rounds. With eight pitchers taken in this year’s draft, Arkansas set a new program high for most pitchers selected in a single draft, breaking the previous mark of seven achieved in 2013 (over 40 rounds) and matched in 2025 (over 20 rounds).
This year’s MLB draft also was the fifth time in program history that Arkansas had double-digit players selected: 1985 (10 in 39 rounds), 2013 (11 in 40 rounds), 2018 (11 in 40 rounds), 2025 (11 in 20 rounds) and 2026 (12 in 20 rounds).
None of Arkansas’ high school signees were selected in the 2026 MLB Draft. The deadline for drafted players to sign, except for players who have exhausted college eligibility, is 4 p.m. CT Monday, July 27.
MLB Draft Statistics
First-Round Razorbacks (17) 1981 – OF Kevin McReynolds – 6th overall, San Diego Padres 1986 – INF Jeff King – 1st overall, Pittsburgh Pirates 1999 – RHP Dave Walling – 27th overall, New York Yankees 2007 – LHP Nick Schmidt – 23rd overall, San Diego Padres 2008 – INF Logan Forsythe – 46th overall, San Diego Padres 2010 – INF Zack Cox – 25th overall, St. Louis Cardinals 2013 – RHP Ryne Stanek – 29th overall, Tampa Bay Rays 2015 – OF Andrew Benintendi – 7th overall, Boston Red Sox 2020 – OF Heston Kjerstad – 2nd overall, Baltimore Orioles 2024 – LHP Hagen Smith – 5th overall, Chicago White Sox 2025 – RHP Gage Wood – 26th overall, Philadelphia Phillies 2025 – INF Wehiwa Aloy – 31st overall, Baltimore Orioles 2025 – LHP Zach Root – 40th overall, Los Angeles Dodgers 2025 – OF Charles Davalan – 41st overall, Los Angeles Dodgers 2026 – C Ryder Helfrick – 15th overall, Arizona Diamondbacks 2026 – RHP Carson Wiggins – 27th overall, New York Mets 2026 – LHP Hunter Dietz – 35th overall, New York Yankees
Arkansas’ 2026 MLB Draftees (12) C Ryder Helfrick – Arizona Diamondbacks, 1st round (No. 15 overall) RHP Carson Wiggins – New York Mets, 1st round (No. 27 overall) LHP Hunter Dietz – New York Yankees, 1st round (No. 35 overall) RHP Gabe Gaeckle – Athletics, CB-B (No. 73 overall) INF Camden Kozeal – Miami Marlins, 3rd round (No. 87 overall) LHP Ethan McElvain – Kansas City Royals, 5th round (No. 151 overall) OF Damian Ruiz – Cincinnati Reds, 9th round (No. 272 overall) OF Kuhio Aloy – New York Mets, 11th round (No. 330 overall) LHP Colin Fisher – San Francisco Giants, 13th round (No. 388 overall) RHP Tate McGuire – Los Angeles Angels, 14th round (No. 409 overall) RHP Cooper Dossett – New York Mets, 17th round (No. 510 overall) LHP Parker Coil – Cleveland Guardians, 20th round (No. 603 overall)
By The Numbers 4 – program record for most first-round selections in an MLB draft (2025) 6 – program record for most position players selected in an MLB draft (1985) 7 – MLB draft record for most first-round selections in a two-year span (2025-26) 8 – program record for most pitchers selected in an MLB draft (2026) 12 – program record for most total selections in an MLB draft (2026) 17 – all-time Razorbacks selected in the first round of the MLB draft 290 – all-time draft selections in Razorback history
Draft Notes ● Since 1975, Arkansas has had at least one player selected in each of the past 52 MLB drafts. ● Since 2018, no school in the country has more overall draft selections than Arkansas (76). ● Arkansas has had double-digit players selected in a single draft on five occasions: 1985 (10), 2013 (11), 2018 (11), 2025 (11), 2026 (12). ● Since Matt Hobbs’ first season as pitching coach in 2019, Arkansas has had 38 pitchers selected in the MLB draft, including 26 pitchers taken in the first 10 rounds. ● Since Nate Thompson’s first season as hitting coach and recruiting coordinator in 2018, Arkansas has had 32 position players selected in the MLB draft, including 27 position players taken in the first 10 rounds.
Razorbacks-Spartans to matchup on Thanksgiving Day After the game reported on back in April, Arkansas and Michigan State both formally announced that they will be facing off in the 2026 CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic on Thanksgiving Day at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. The game will be nationally broadcasted on CBS and available to stream live on Paramount+ at 3:30 p.m. CT.
Both the Razorbacks and Spartans enjoyed successful 2025-26 seasons, both advancing all the way to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. On the first Saturday of the regular season in 2025, MSU defeated UA 69-66 at the Breslin Center in East Lansing (Nov. 8).
Arkansas went 28-9 overall and won the SEC Tournament in John Calipari’s second season in Fayetteville. Their 28 victories match the 2021-22 team for the most wins since the 1994-95 Razorback squad that went 32-7 and reached the national final. UA’s roster will be centered around returning wing Billy Richmond III, Georgia transfer guard Jeremiah Wilkinson and four high-end freshmen including guard Jordan Smith Jr., wing Abdou Torre, wing JJ Andrews and forward Miikka Muurinen
Last season, Tom Izzo and Michigan State advanced to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the third time in the last four seasons. The Spartans’ boasted a record of 27-8 and finished second in the Big Ten. The Spartans are set to return All-Big Ten point guard Jeremiah Fears, and two other starters Coen Carr and Jordan Scott. They welcome the nation’s No. 3 recruiting class in 2026 with Julius Avent, Jasiah Jervis, Carlos Medlock Jr., and Ethan Taylor, all of whom are four-star prospects.
Arkansas’ 4 Bahamas opponents set The opponents for Arkansas’ four exhibition games in the Bahamas have been announced later this summer. The Razorbacks will face a mix of international competition at the Baha Mar Resort in the Bahamas as part of the 2026 Baha Mar Hoops Summer League.
The exhibition trip will be seven days, beginning on July 29 through August 4. Arkansas will play four games at the Baha Mar Convention, Arts and Entertainment center on-site at the resort. The group includes the Bahamas national team, two of the top collegiate teams from Canada and the reigning champion from the top Colombian professional league.
The Razorbacks four games in the Bahamas: Friday, July 31 vs. The Bahamas National Team (6 p.m. CT) Aug. 1 vs. Carleton State University (5 p.m.) Aug. 3 vs. Toros del Valle (5 p.m.) Aug. 4 vs. University of Calgary (11 a.m.)
The Bahamas National Team will be made up of their national team players. Carleton University is located in Ottawa, Ontario. The Ravens are the defending Canadian national collegiate champion after going 27-9 overall and 17-5 in conference play. They won the Ontario University Athletics conference last season before winning the program’s 18th Canadian Men’s Basketball National Championship.
Toros del Valle is a professional team from Cali, Columbia. They play in the Liga WPlay de Baloncesto, the best professional basketball league in Columbia. Toros won the 2026 Apertura title in June. The University of Calgary, located in Calgary, Alberty made it to and hosted the 2026 U Sports Men’s Final 8 Basketball Tournament. The Dinos lost their first-round matchup versus Victoria and also fell in the consolation semifinal to Acadia. They were the U SPORTS runner-up in 2025.
Other NCAA teams participating in the Baha Mars Summer League include Cincinnati, South Carolina, Valparaiso and Texas A&M.
FAYETTEVILLE –The Southeastern Conference released the men’s basketball home and away conference opponents for the 2026-27 season. The Razorbacks will play Alabama, LSU and Missouri twice during the regular season, once at home and once on the road.
Arkansas will face the other 12 SEC teams once. The Razorbacks will host Florida, Georgia, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Oklahoma at Bud Walton Arena and will travel to face Auburn, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Texas A&M.
League play tips off on Saturday, January 2, and runs through Saturday, March 6. Each SEC team plays the other 15 teams at least once during league play. Three teams will be played a second time during the schedule – two of which are permanent opponents and one that will change each year.
The SEC Tournament returns to Nashville, Tenn., as Bridgestone Arena will host the event from March 10-14, 2027.
Arkansas 2026-27 SEC Opponents
Home Games: Alabama Auburn Florida Georgia LSU Ole Miss Mississippi State Missouri Oklahoma
Road Games: at Alabama at Kentucky at LSU at Missouri at South Carolina at Tennessee at Texas at Texas A&M at Vanderbilt
Notes: ● Under the new scheduling format, this will be the second-straight year Arkansas will face both LSU and Missouri twice as SEC-designated “permanent opponents.” ● Arkansas and LSU have met for a home-and-home series in all but two seasons since the Razorbacks joined the SEC for the 1991-92 season. The Razorbacks and Tigers only met once in 2013 (in Baton Rouge) and just once in 2015 (in Fayetteville). Arkansas leads the Tigers 42-32 since the Razorbacks joined the SEC. Since Arkansas joined the SEC, the Tigers are the Razorbacks’ most common SEC opponent with 72 meetings followed by Mississippi State (62), Auburn (62), Alabama (61) and Ole Miss (61). ● Arkansas and Missouri will be playing a home-and-home series for the 15th consecutive year. The streak coincides with the number of years since the Tigers joined the SEC (2012-13). Arkansas leads the all-time series with Missouri, 38-28, and leads 19-10 since the Tigers joined the SEC, including wins in 10 of the last 12 meetings. ● The last time Arkansas and Alabama met faced each other twice in the regular season was the 2022-2023 campaign. Alabama swept the series that season, winning 84-69 in Fayetteville and 86-83 in Tuscaloosa. The Razorbacks hold a one game advantage against the Crimson Tide all time, 36-35, but trail Alabama 32-29 since the Hogs joined the SEC. Alabama has won six straight in the series. Since 2020, six of the nine meetings between the two schools have been at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa. ● For just the third consecutive year and the fifth time since Texas A&M joined the SEC (2012-13), Arkansas and the Aggies will meet just once in the regular season. Texas A&M is Arkansas’ most common opponent with 171 games played in the series since the Hog’s first year of basketball (1923-24). Arkansas leads the all-time series with the Aggies, 109-62, and own a 14-11 advantage since A&M joined the SEC. The home team has dominated the series over the last 14 seasons as Arkansas is 11-1 versus the Aggies at home and Texas A&M is 8-3 versus the Razorbacks in College Station.
The full 2026-27 SEC schedule will be unveiled at a later date.
Kings select Acuff Jr. with No. 7 overall pick BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Razorback freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. was selected in the first round as the 7th overall pick of the 2026 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings to become the 48th Razorback drafted in the NBA, the 17th first round pick and 63rd player under John Calipari to be drafted in Cal’s 33 years as a collegiate head coach. Also, with Acuff going seventh overall, Coach Cal now has 30 all-time Lottery picks, passing Mike Krzyzewski for the most by any collegiate coach.
This past season, Acuff starred for the Razorbacks, averaging over 23 points and six assists per game. He set an SEC record with eight weekly and seven freshman of the week honors and one player of the week honor. He also won the SEC player and freshman of the year, was on the All-SEC First Team, All-SEC freshman team, the SEC Tournament MVP, was named a consensus First Team All-American and the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year. He was also a finalist for the Wooden Award and Naismith Trophy for National Player of the Year.
Acuff set Arkansas single-season records for most points (845) and most assists (232). His 845 points rank 9th on the SEC single-season list and his 232 assists rank 9th (tied) on the SEC single-season list making him the only player to be on the SEC single-season top lists for points and assists. He joined Pete Maravich as the only players in SEC History to lead the league in scoring and assists in the same season.
Acuff, a Detroit native, was a five-star recruit out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. prior to enrolling at Arkansas for his freshman year.
Thomas, Brazile selected with back-to-back picks Arkansas freshman guard Meleek Thomas and senior forward Trevon Brazile became the 49th and 50th Razorbacks to be selected in the NBA Draft. The pair went in back-to-back picks in the second round. Thomas was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers at 34th overall and Brazile went to the Denver Nuggets a pick later at 35th overall.
The duo become the 64th and 65th John Calipari-coached players selected in the NBA Draft. They join Acuff to give Arkansas at least three NBA selections in the same draft for the fifth time. The trio join the 2023 class (Anthony Black – 1st, Nick Smith Jr. – 1st, and Jordan Walsh – 2nd), 1992 (Todd Day – 1st, Oliver Miller – 1st, Lee Mayberry -1st, and Isaiah Morris-2nd), 1979 (Sidney Moncrief -1st, Steve Schall-5th, and Marvin Delph – 6th) and 1948 (George Kok – 1st, Melvin McGaha – 3rd, and Alvin Williams – 9th).
Thomas was part of the top freshman scoring freshmen duo with Acuff in Division I in Division I since 2019-20 with 1,424 combined points. If Thomas did not play with Acuff, he would have set the Arkansas record for most points by a freshman with 579. He was named the All-SEC Freshman Team.
Thomas scored 20-plus points nine times including a career-high 30 points in the Razorbacks’ regular season finale against Missouri. He almost repeated his performance against the Tigers in the SEC Tournament Semifinals against Ole Miss, when he dropped 29 points, five assists and five rebounds.
The Pittsburgh native shot an Arkansas-record 48.7% (38-78) from 3-point in SEC games only. He led the team in free throw percentage (84.3%) and steals (57) while ranking second on the team in scoring (15.6 ppg), assists (92) and 3-point percentage (41.6%).
Brazile played four of five of his collegiate seasons at Arkansas, winning SEC Player of the week twice as a Razorback (Dec. 4, 2023, vs Duke and Dec. 15, 2025, vs Texas Tech). He was named to the to the 2026 SEC All-Tournament Team, averaging 14.7 points and 10.0 rebounds with two double-doubles.
Brazile played fantastic basketball to finish the season. Brazile averaged 13.8 points and 8.3 rebounds, helping the Razorbacks to a 12-3 record over the final two months of the regular season. During the final four minutes of the SEC Tournament Championship game, scoring eight points in a 12-0 Razorback run, making two 3-pointers and a dunk, while adding a steal, a deflection and a blocked shot.
Brazile broke the 1,000-point barrier for his Razorback career vs Hawai’i in the NCAA Tournament and finished his Arkansas career with 1,029 points (1,195 points for his career). He started 35 of 36 games during his senior season, averaging a career-best 13.0 points and a team-best 7.3 rebounds. In addition, he led the team in blocks (58), second in steals (53), and third in three-pointers made (45), shooting 34.1% from range. In the SEC, he ranked 4th in blocked shots (1.61), 4th in defensive rebounds (5.81), 5th in rebounds (7.3), 5th in double-doubles (7), and 11th in steals (1.47).
After the 2026 NBA Draft: John Calipari has coached 65 players that have been selected in the NBA Draft which is tied for second with North Carolina’s Dean Smith and is right behind Duke’s Mike Kyrzewski (74) at No. 1. is 65 players selected in the first and second rounds are second all-time to Coach K with 66 players selected.
Coach Cal’s 44 players selected in the first round is second to Coach K, who leads with 46 players selected. After Acuff’s selection at 7th by the Kings in this year’s draft, Calipari has now coached 30 lottery picks, which is the most by a collegiate coach, passing Coach K who has 29.
Calipari has a streak of 19 consecutive seasons with at least one player drafted, which is second to Dean Smith, who had a streak of 23 years in a row. He has had at least three players drafted in a season 12 times.
Arkansas has had 50 players have been selected in the NBA Draft (52 picks as Steve Schall and Marvin Delph were drafted twice). 17 Razorbacks have been selected in the first round.
Arkansas has had 11 players drafted over the last 8 seasons and 16 since 2001. The Hogs have had at least three players drafted in the same season (1948, 1979, 1992, 2023 and 2026).
Following Acuff’s selection, Arkansas has now had eight players become lottery picks. George Kok is the highest Razorback to go in the draft as the 2nd overall pick in 1948 however, Sidney Moncrief is the highest-picked Hog as the fifth overall pick in 1979 in the modern era.
In the lottery era, Anthony Black and Joe Kleine are the highest picks, each were the #6 overall picks. Acuff joins Ron Brewer (1978) and Alvin Robertson (1984) as Razorbacks to be the seventh overall pick.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas Department of Athletics has signed a 13-year partnership with CommunityAmerica Credit Union. Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium will become CommunityAmerica Razorback Stadium beginning with the 2027 football season after being facilitated by Learfield and Razorback Sports Properties.
The multi-phased partnership will not just include naming rights and designates CommunityAmerica as the Official Credit Union of Arkansas Athletics. CommunityAmerica will support student-athletes and fans, serving as an official sponsor of Arkansas Athletics.
The partnership will also include the rebranding of the SEC Club inside Razorback Stadium as the CommunityAmerica Club, where fans enjoy premium amenities on game day. As part of the agreement, CommunityAmerica will provide Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, valuable financial education and programs to help them succeed both on and off the field.
“We are thrilled to welcome CommunityAmerica Credit Union as the Official Credit Union of Arkansas Athletics as one piece of a partnership that will benefit our student-athletes, fans and the state of Arkansas for years to come,” said Hunter Yurachek, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics at the University of Arkansas. “Our vision in the Department of Athletics is to be our best and CommunityAmerica’s commitment to excellence as a trusted, people-driven financial institution mirrors that same vision. This partnership is just getting started but its impact will help shape our future.”
The Amegy Bank College Baseball Series is returning to Globe Life Field in 2027 with a brand-new lineup of college baseball powerhouses. We're excited to host these programs for Weekend 2!
FAYETTEVILLE – The Arkansas baseball team will play at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, again 2027.
On Tuesday, the Razorbacks were announced Tuesday as one of six teams that have agreed to play games at Globe Life Field on Feb 26-28 in the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series, the second weekend of the season. Arkansas will play once against three of the other teams that weekend. Oregon, Oregon State, Iowa, Oklahoma State and Baylor will join the Hogs in Arlington.
Game times and matchups will be announced at a later date. Arkansas will stay in Arlington to play a fourth game against Tarleton State on March 1.
The Razorbacks will play at the Texas Rangers’ home ballpark for the sixth time in the last seven seasons. Arkansas played as part of the inaugural college baseball event at Globe Life Field in 2021. The Hogs have played there every season since 2023 on the first or second weekend of the season.
Arkansas has a record of 12-4 at the ballpark. The Razorbacks defeated Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and Tarleton State and fell to TCU in Arlington to open the 2026 season.
Frolov fills Razorbacks’ gap at center Russian center Ilia Frolov has signed with Arkansas. ESPN Recruiting Director Paul Biancardi was first to report the news.
“It was an amazing visit. Coach Calipari and the staff made me feel welcomed and comfortable. Coach Cal can teach me a lot about the game, and I will do whatever it takes to help him win.”
Frolov is a 6-foot-11, 225-pounder with potential to lead the Arkansas front court during the upcoming 2026-27 season, as he averaged 13.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.0 assists for Real Madrid’s U22 team. He shot an effective 36.1% from three-point range 84.6% from the free throw line. Frolov is also a member of the Russian National Team.
Frolov began his visit to Fayetteville on Tuesday, June 16, including an evaluation from the Razorbacks’ staff. He will join a Razorback front court that already includes Finnish forward Miikka Muurinen, Furman transfer Cooper Bowser, and former four-star Maper Maker.
Frolov pledged to the Razorbacks on his 18th birthday.
NASSAU, Bahamas (June 18, 2026) – Arkansas fans can get a preview of John Calipari’s 2026-27 Razorbacks when they play four exhibition games against international competition as part of the 2026 Baha Mar Hoops Summer League from Friday, July 31, through Tuesday, Aug. 4 at the beautiful Baha Mar resort.
The seven day trip runs July 29 through Aug. 4, including four exhibition games at the Baha Mar Convention, Arts and Entertainment Center on-site at the resort. The Razorbacks will play games on July 31 (6 p.m. CT), Aug. 1 (5 p.m.), Aug. 3 (5 p.m.) and Aug. 4 (11 a.m.). Opponents, including international teams and Canadian universities, will be announced at a later date.
As John Calipari enters his third season as head coach at Arkansas, the Razorbacks feature junior wing Billy Richmond III, who averaged 11.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists last season. As the lone returner with the program with significant experience, Richmond will be joined by a new group of freshmen including guard Jordan Smith Jr., wing JJ Andrews, wing Abdou Torre, forward Miika Muurinen, and transfer guard Jeremiah Wilkinson and forward Cooper Bowser.
New NCAA rules allow college teams to take a foreign tour annually after the previous rule allowed such a trip only once every four academic years.
South Carolina and Valparaiso were announced as other participants in the 2026 Baha Mar Hoops Summer League. Additional U.S. college teams scheduled to take part in the event will be announced soon.
The event, now in its fifth year, is run by bdG Sports, a Kentucky-based sports and entertainment company that organizes around two dozen men’s and women’s college basketball games at Baha Mar each November.
Members of the Arkansas Razorbacks men’s basketball team are on campus for summer workouts. Three games are now on the 2026-2027 schedule. Also, the hogs added a four-star guard who is reclassifying to join the team this year and strengthen their guard depth.
Arkansas to begin series against Arizona Both Arkansas coach John Calipari and Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd were interested in setting up a rematch of the Wildcat’s 109-88 victory in the Sweet 16.
On Tuesday, June 2 CBS Sports reported that the Razorbacks and Wildcats had verbally agreed to begin a multi-year series beginning next season in Phoenix. The game will be on Saturday, Dec. 19 as a part of the Naismith Hall of Fame Series in Phoenix at the Mortgage Matchup Center (home to the Phoenix Suns). The series is a double header including UNLV vs. SMU.
The second game in the Arizona-Arkansas series, in 2027-28, will be played at Arkansas’ Bud Walton Arena. In 2028-2029 the Razorbacks will travel to Tucson to face the Wildcats on their home court, the McKale Center. There is also an option or a fourth game to be played in 2029-30 closer to Arkansas’ territory, but the fate/location of that game will be determined down the road.
A lot of the Razorbacks’ roster from that game will be playing professional basketball. Guards Darius Acuff Jr., Meleek Thomas, forward Trevon Brazile, and centers Malique Ewin and Nick Pringle are all gone. It will be up to wing Billy Richmond III to lead Arkansas’ new-look roster with two transfers and six new freshmen on the roster.
Arizona went 36-3 and 16-2 in the Big 12 during the 2025-26 season. After the Wildcats dispatched the Razorbacks in the Sweet 16, they eliminated Purdue, 73-64, in the Elite Eight before falling in the national semifinal to Michigan, 91-73, in Indianapolis.
Arkansas-UNC meet in ACC-SEC Challenge in Chapel Hill
FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas will head to Chapel Hill and face North Carolina for the first time at the Dean Dome when the teams meet on Tuesday, December 1, in the 2026 ACC-SEC Men’s Basketball Challenge.
This will be the 12th game between the teams with the Tar Heels holding an 8-3 advantage, including five wins in a row in the series.
It’s the first time Arkansas will face will be playing UNC since an 87-72 Tar Heel victory in the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas on Nov. 24, 2023 in the third place game of the event.
Six of the previous 11 games came in the NCAA Tournament.
The only previous matchups in the state of North Carolina were on Jan. 14, 1979, in the Greensboro Coliseum (a 63-57 UNC win) and March 23, 2008, in Raleigh (a 108-77 UNC victory in the second round of the NCAA Tournament).
One game in the series has been billed as one of Arkansas basketball’s best games of all time. The Razorbacks upset No. 1 ranked North Carolina, led by Michael Jordan, 65-64, in Pine Bluff. Joe Kleine scored 20 points and had 10 rebounds in the win, but Charles Balentine was the hero, hitting the game-winning shot with four seconds left.
The Tar Heels went 24-9 and 12-6 in the ACC before a Round of 64 loss to VCU in overtime ended Hubert Davis’ five-year run in Chapel Hill. Former Denver Nuggets’ head coach will Michael Malone will attempt to build on his NBA Championship resume in his first season as a collegiate head coach.
Arkansas is 3-0 in the ACC-SEC Challenge, including a home win against Duke, a road win at Miami, and another home win against Louisville.
2026 ACC/SEC Challenge Matchups
Tuesday, Dec. 1 South Carolina at North Carolina State Boston College at Georgia Ole Miss at Virginia Tech Syracuse at Oklahoma Pittsburgh at Missouri Wake Forest at LSU Auburn at Clemson Florida State at Tennessee Arkansas at North Carolina Texas at Louisville Duke at Florida
Wednesday, Dec. 2 Georgia Tech at Mississippi State Vanderbilt at Notre Dame Stanford at Texas A&M Kentucky at Virginia Alabama at Miami
Arkansas to host Central Michigan on Dec. 22 Arkansas will reportedly welcome Central Michigan to Bud Walton Arena on Tuesday, December 22.
The Razorbacks and Chippewas will meet for the first time in 20 years when they clash ten days from the beginning of 2027. The only other meeting came during the 2006-07 when Central Michigan traveled to Fayetteville on Dec. 5. Arkansas went on to win that game 75-59, with Charles Thomas scoring 14 points and Sonny Weems adding 13 points.
Central Michigan struggled to a 10-21 overall record and a 6-21 mark in the Mid-American Conference during the 2025-26 season. The Chippewas’ season ended when they fell to Ball State 85-69 in the MAC Tournament in Muncie, Ind.
JUCO forward made visit to Fayetteville Arkansas hosted 6’10 forward Shah Hall on an official visit from Monday, June 9 to Tuesday, June 10 as their pursuit of a starting big man continues into June.
Hall, the Shelton State Community College standout, averaged 9.4 outs, 7.9 rebounds, and blocked 70 shots during the 2025-26 season. Hall’s elite size, rim protection, and rebounding ability makes him one of the most coveted late additions during this off-season.
Hall originally signed with Andy Kennedy and UAB before requesting a release from his national letter of intent on May 25.
Arkansas welcomes Gonzaga for exhibition inside Bud Walton Arena On Tuesday, June 9, John Calipari announced the Razorbacks would host the Bulldogs in an interview with Pig Trail Nation. He did not disclose a date for the game.
It is the first preseason game announced for the Razorbacks, who have increasingly played Division I opponents in exhibition games. The Razorbacks hosted Cincinnati and played at Memphis ahead of last season.
Back before his first season with Arkansas in 2024-25, Calipari said he had been working with Bulldogs coach Mark Few on a scheduling arrangement.
“Hopefully we’re doing something with them in the future,” he said at the time.
The Razorbacks have matched up with Gonzaga in two previous matchups, splitting with the Bulldogs. The Razorbacks upset the No. 1 overall seed Gonzaga 74-68 on March 24, 2022, in San Francisco during the Sweet 16.
The Zags finished 31-4 last season and begin Few’s 28th season in charge. Center Graham Ike, wing Tyon Grant-Foster, Adam Miller, Emmanuel Innocenti and Braeden Smith exit the program but return forward Braden Smith, guards Mario Saint-Supery and wing Davis Fogle.
2027 4-star Davion Thompson commits to Razorbacks Link Academy point guard Davion Thompson committed to Arkansas on Wednesday night, June 10. Thompson, John Calipari’s first commitment in the 2027 class, pledged to the Razorbacks over Baylor, Michigan, and Vanderbilt.
Thompson, ranked No. 22 in the 2027 247 Sports Composite, has been considered a candidate to reclassify into the 2026 class and enroll in college for the upcoming season. But he said he doesn’t plan to make a decision on that until after the July live period. He plays with the MeanStreets program on the Nike EYBL circuit and is averaging 21.7 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.7 rebounds. Through seven games he is shooting nearly 52% from 3-point range on 7.7 attempts per game.
Thompson also represented USA Basketball at this month’s FIBA U18 AmeriCup, where the United States lost to Canada in the championship game. He averaged 9.8 points and 3.2 assists while shooting 37.5% from three-point range.
Calipari and the Razorbacks already have landed the top class for 2026 with five-star talents Jordan Smith Jr., JJ Andrews, Abdou Torre, and Miika Muurinen. If Thompson does in fact reclassify, he will provide great point guard depth behind Smith and Georgia transfer Jeremiah Wilkinson.
The Men’s College World Series is finally here after four and a half months of baseball. Two first timers — West Virginia and Troy — join four returners including North Carolina, Ole Miss, Texas, Georgia and Alabama.
The Rebels, Longhorns, Bulldogs, and Crimson Tide make up half of the field in Omaha as the SEC attempts to win seven consecutive championships in a row. The Mountaineers, Trojans, and Tar Heels attempt to win their first ever national championship by winning it all in just two weeks.
No matter who advances in Omaha, it will be an exciting two weeks at Charles Schwab Field. Here are all eight teams that made it to the Men’s College World Series, my predictions for their opening matchups, and finally my picks for the rest of the event:
No. 16 seed West Virginia (45-15) The Mountaineers are in Omaha for the Men’s College World Series for the first time in program history after sweeping Cal Poly in the Morgantown Super Regional.
WVU dominated the Mustangs by a combined score of 29-3 in the two games played. Because they didn’t have to face No. 1 overall seed UCLA, the test of Omaha may be that much more difficult for Steve Sabin’s team. Next up for West Virginia is a Troy Trojans team that is hitting the ball almost as well as the Mountaineers are right now.
In Friday’s opener, Sophomore right-hander Cole Chansen started on the mound for WVU and he impressed in seven innings with just eight hits, two runs, and struck out 11. Graduate outfielder Sean Smith went 3-for-4 with three runs, three runs batted in and one walk to lead the Mountaineer offense in their 12-2 game 1 victory.
In game 2, seven of nine members of the WVU lineup had two hits. Junior utility player Armani Guzman was 2-for-5 with two runs and three runs batted in while sophomore utility player Gavin Kelly went 3-for-4 with three runs and one run batted in.
The Mountaineers used four pitchers including redshirt junior left-hander Maxx Yehl, who went five innings and allowed just four hits, one run, one walk, and he struck out four. Sophomore right-hander David Hagen replaced Yehl and gave up only two hits, no runs, and struck out one in two innings of relief work. They defeated Cal Poly 17-1 in the Morgantown super regional decider that sent them to Omaha for the first time in program history.
West Virginia will matchup with Troy, the winner of the Troy Super Regional in their first Men’s College World Series opener.
Troy (38-30) Troy won the battle of Trojans and swept former Sun Belt foe Little Rock in their own super regional to advance to the Men’s College World Series for the first time in program history.
The Trojans dominated Little Rock in their two games by a combined score of 19-4, similar to how they dealt with No. 8 national seed Florida in the Gainesville Regional the weekend prior. Skylar Meade has his team ready to compete in Omaha for the first time ever.
Troy had two players in their lineup with three hits and runs each in game 1 against Little Rock. Senior outfielder Steven Meier was 3-for-4 with three runs and senior utility player Drew Nelson was 3-for-4 with three runs and two runs batted in. Senior left-hander Benjamin Stubbs got the Trojans on a good start, allowing only six hits, two runs, and striking out five.
Troy allowed only two runs again in their game 2 win against Little Rock with senior right-hander Tommy Egan (7.1 innings pitched) and sophomore right-hander Noah Thigpen (1.2 innings pitched) allowing only seven hits combined. Senior infielder Aaron Piasecki, redshirt senior infielder Josh Pyne, sophomore catcher Jimmy Janicki, junior utility player Jabe Boroff and sophomore Houston Markham scored the runs that lifted the Trojans to their first appearance in Omaha.
An interesting matchup looms between two first timers in Omaha:
No. 5 seed North Carolina (50-12-1) The Tar Heels came back from a game 1 loss to USC and advanced to Omaha for the second time in three seasons after a walk-off RBI double from junior outfielder Owen Hull in the bottom of the ninth inning.
After a 9-5 loss to the Trojans, the North Carolina pitching helped them win the next two games and reach Omaha for the ninth time since 2006. UNC shutout USC 4-0 in game 2 before the walk-off 4-3 victory against the Trojans in game 3. A lack of getting hits with runners in scoring position almost kept them from getting to the next round.
While the Trojans used six pitchers, Carolina’s junior right-hander Jason DeCaro pitched all nine innings of game 2 while only allowing two hits, one walk, and striking out eight. While much of the contact the Tar Heel offense was making resulted in fly outs, a few solo home runs made sure they would not bow out of the tournament in the super regionals.
In game 3, freshman right-hander Caden Glauber got off to a shaky start in the top of the first. USC gained a 1-0 lead before UNC tied the game in the bottom of the third inning on a Hull RBI double. USC retook the lead with a solo shot in the fourth before extending it to 3-1 with another hoe run in the fifth.
Despite giving up three runs, Glauber continued to pitch well, striking out 10 in seven innings. In the bottom of the eighth, Hull reached second base once again on a hit to left field with two outs. Junior catcher Macon Winslow doubled to deep center to bring Hull home, cutting the Trojan lead to just one. In the eighth, the Tar Heels got the USC lead to just one. Junior infielder Jake Schaffner hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Nicholson to even the score at 3-3. Junior infielder Gallaher walked in just five pitches to put two on base for Carolina. Hull, hit yet another double to score French from second to walk off the Chapel Hill Super Regional, 4-3.
Now, the Tar Heels prepare for an Omaha opener against the red hot Ole Miss Rebels, who can hit with anybody in the country but struggle when they have to use a lot of pitching.
Ole Miss (41-21) The Rebels are back in Omaha for the first time since they won their first and only national championship in 2022 after sweeping No. 4 national seed Auburn on the road at Plainsman Park.
Ole Miss got two, two-run victories against their SEC rivals and put the Tigers out in their home super regional for the second consecutive season. Mike Bianco’s club has done a little bit of everything on their road to Omaha, playing solid defense and scoring enough runs to win all five of their postseason games since losing their SEC Tournament opener against Missouri in Hoover.
In the Rebels’ 6-4 game 1 victory against the Tigers, redshirt junior ace Hunter Elliott threw 4.1 innings of six-hit, two run, and four walk baseball while striking out only two. As a result, junior right-hander Hudson Calhoun and sophomore left-hander Walker Hooks came in relief and closed out the last 4.2 innings, giving up only three hits, two runs, one walk and five strikeouts combined. Four Ole Miss batters had two hits, including junior third baseman Judd Utermark’s home run that lifted the Rebels to a game 1 victory.
Sophomore right-hander Taylor Rabe started out on the mound for Ole Miss, only allowing six hits, two runs, one walk, and striking out eight. After an inning of relief work by redshirt sophomore right-hander JP Robertson (that earned him his fifth win of the season), Hooks closed the deal again for the Rebels, allowing just one hit, one run, and striking out one to help his team get back to Omaha. Junior infielder Brayden Randle started the sixth inning with a single before junior infielder Dom Decker reached after getting hit by a pitch. Utermark delivered a two-run double to right field, again lifting the Rebels to a win against the Tigers.
A year after Decker and Murray State swept Ole Miss in the 2025 Oxford Regional, Decker and Ole Miss are back in Omaha for the first time in four years. They will matchup with No. 5 national seed North Carolina/USC in their Men’s College World Series opener.
In what should be a back and forth game, Ole Miss will take advantage of North Carolina’s lack of offense with runners in scoring position and advance to the winner’s bracket.
No. 6 seed Texas (45-13) In a highly-anticipated series in the Austin Super Regional against No. 11 seed Oregon, the Longhorns swept the Ducks.
Texas dominated Oregon 11-3 in game 1 before a late comeback lifted the Longhorns to a 6-5 victory in game 2 against the Ducks. The bats were hot in and there was more than enough pitching to lift the Austin boys to their 39th appearance in the Men’s College World Series and their first since 2022.
Texas’ ace, sophomore left-hander Dylan Volantis, allowed only eight hits, two runs, four walks, and struck out 10 in the Longhorns’ game 1 victory. Junior third baseman Casey Borba and junior designated hitter Ethan Mendoza were the two Longhorns homered and helped lift them to a game 1 win.
Sunday’s game 2 was a lot closer with Texas having to pit a late comeback in the eighth inning to retake the lead and win the Austin Super Regional. Sophomore shortstop Adrian Rodriguez hit a go-ahead two-run double, scoring freshman left fielder Anthony Pack Jr. and junior catcher Carson Tinney. Junior arm Thomas Burns and freshman Sam Cozart were the last two pitchers to come in for the Longhorns, shutting the Ducks’ offense down and striking out six combined.
The next task is dealing with a No. 3 national seed Georgia team that has the best bats in the country and maybe the sport’s top player, catcher Daniel Jackson. The two SEC foes have not faced off this season, adding to the excitement for what could be a battle between the winner of the national championship in just two short weeks.
No. 3 seed Georgia (51-12) In the most exciting super regional series of 2026, Georgia took down No. 14 seed Mississippi State and swept the battle of the bulldogs. UGA took down MSU 14-13 in game 1 and 11-9 in 10 innings in game 2.
After falling down 7-0 early against Mississippi State in game 1, Georgia scored nine runs in a row and got the win 13-12. UGA won a back-and-forth affair in game 2 on a home run by junior catcher Daniel Jackson in the top of the 10th inning.
In a game that included 11 home runs, Georgia did not any consistent pitching in the Athens Super Regional opener. After falling behind 7-0, three home runs and a double got the scoring going for the Bulldogs in the fourth and fifth innings and the score was quickly tied.
It was a back-and-forth affair from there until a second home run by senior Michael OShaughnessy in the eighth inning lifted UGA to the game 1 win. OShaughnessy replaced star junior Tre Phelps at third base while he was serving a suspension and he went 2-for-5 with two runs and five runs batted in.
In game 2, Georgia got a better start from their pitcher Caden Aoki, a graduate right-hander who threw 121 pitches over 5.2 innings and only allowed eight hits, four runs, a walk and struck out nine against an impressive MSU offense. UGA led the game 4-0 before a MSU home run cut the deficit to 4-2. OShaughnessy and Phelps responded with RBIs in the fourth and fifth inning respectively to grow the lead to 7-2 entering the sixth inning.
The sixth, seventh, and eighth innings continued to be an offensive battle with MSU hitting three home runs in a row in the seventh inning and another in the eighth inning. Entering the ninth, Georgia needed a run to send it to extras and they got an RBI single from senior Brennan Hudson to score sophomore Kenny Ishikawa.
Redshirt junior right-hander Justin Byrd was the only pitcher to not allow a run in his outing and in the ninth and tenth innings all he gave up was two walks and he struck out two. Byrd’s outing set up Jackson’s game-winning two-run blast to left field.
If the Bulldogs can get more production out of their pitching staff and a bigger ballpark like the one in Omaha and continue to get offensive production similar to what they have been getting throughout the postseason, they should beat SEC foe Texas. But that will be tougher and the Longhorns’ strong pitching staff and big bats of their own
No. 7 seed Alabama (42-19) The Crimson Tide swept St. John’s behind a 15-2 run advantage and will make their way back to Omaha for the first time since 1999.
The Alabama defense shut down the Red Storm offense 8-0 in game 1 and 7-2 in game 2. The Crimson Tide’s pitching staff was fantastic and they made very few mistakes in the infield and the outfield. They are back in the Men’s College World Series for just the sixth time in program history.
Redshirt junior right-hander Tyler Fay delivered another fantastic performance as Alabama’s ace in game 1 versus St. John’s, throwing 113 pitches over 7.1 innings. He allowed only five runners on base and struck out nine. Three two-run doubles, one by graduate second baseman Holt in the second inning, one by redshirt senior center fielder Fowler in the fourth, and one from junior shortstop Justin LeBron in the eighth inning helped the Crimson Tide win on Saturday.
Entering the sixth inning of game 2, Alabama led the Red Storm 3-1. SJU’s Adam Agresti hit a solo shot to cut the Crimson Tide lead to one, 3-2. Senior third baseman Jason Torres answered in the seventh inning with a grand slam to right field, extending their lead to five runs; 7-2.
Alabama will get ready to get another win over Oklahoma, a team they have already beaten in an SEC series back to begin the month of April two games to one.
Oklahoma (38-22) The Sooners took down No. 15 seed Kansas and swept the Jayhawks by a combined score of 21-4 between game 1 and game 2.
The Oklahoma pitching staff excelled and home runs were blasted across both games, helping the Sooners defeat Kansas 8-1 in game 1 and 13-2 in game 2. They are returning to Omaha for the first time since 2022, when they fell to Ole Miss in the Men’s College World Series Finals, where they were swept.
Oklahoma scored eight consecutive runs in game across the fourth, fifth, and seventh innings. All three of senior first baseman Dayton Tockey, junior third baseman Camden Johnson, and senior designated hitter Trey Gambill hit home runs. Freshman left-hander Cord Rager (6.0 innings pitched, one hit, zero runs, one walk, and six strikeouts) and junior right-hander LJ Mercerius (3.0 innings pitched, three hits, one run run, and three strikeouts) propelled the Sooners to their first of two victories against their old Big 12 rival.
Oklahoma dominated the Jayhawks again in game 2, scoring in the first, second, third, sixth and eighth innings. Four Sooners homered, including Tockey to right center in the third, junior catcher Deiten Lachance to left field and junior right fielder Dasan Harris to right center in the sixth and Gambill again to right field in the eighth inning. Freshman right-hander Xander Mercerius, redshirt junior left-hander Nate Smithburg, junior right-hander Jason Brodin and senior right-hander Jackson Cleveland held it down on the mound for the Sooners, helping them clinch the Lawrence Super Regional.
OU is back in Omaha for the first time in four seasons and Skip Johnson wants to win a national championship this time. Johnson’s offense is red hot and his pitching is giving them what they have needed to advance.
Now, the Sooners will attempt to avenge their regular season series loss to Alabama and this time, they should get things going in Omaha with a victory over the Crimson Tide.
Carter’s Pick:Oklahoma 11, No. 7 Alabama 8
Projecting the rest of the Men’s College World Series:
Bracket 1
Friday June 12 Game 1: No. 16 West Virginia vs. Troy; 1 p.m. on ESPN Carter’s Pick: No. 16 West Virginia 9, Troy 7
Game 2: No. 5 North Carolina vs. Ole Miss; 6 p.m. on ESPN Carter’s Pick:Ole Miss 7, No. 5 North Carolina 5
Sunday June 14 Game 5: Troy vs. No. 5 North Carolina; 1 p.m. on ESPN Carter’s Pick:No. 5 North Carolina 8, Troy 7
Game 6: No. 16 West Virginia vs. Ole Miss; 6 p.m. on ESPN Carter’s Pick:Ole Miss 10, No. 16 West Virginia 8
Tuesday June 16 Game 9: No. 5 North Carolina vs. No. 16 West Virginia; 1 p.m. on ESPN Carter’s Pick: No. 5 North Carolina 9, No. 16 West Virginia 6
Wednesday June 17: Game 11: Ole Miss vs. No. 5 North Carolina; 1 p.m. on ESPN Carter’s Pick:No. 5 North Carolina 11, Ole Miss 10
Thursday June 18: Game 13: No. 5 North Carolina vs. Ole Miss; TBD Carter’s Pick: Ole Miss 10, No. 5 North Carolina 7
Bracket 2
Saturday June 13 Game 3: No. 7 Alabama vs. Oklahoma; 2 p.m. on ESPN Carter’s Pick:Oklahoma 11, No. 7 Alabama 8
Game 4: No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 6 Texas; 7 p.m. on ESPN Carter’s Pick:No. 6 Texas 10, No. 3 Georgia 9
Monday June 15 Game 7: No. 7 Alabama vs. No. 3 Georgia; 1 p.m. on ESPN Carter’s Pick:No. 3 Georgia 12, Alabama 8
Game 8: Oklahoma vs. No. 6 Texas; 6 p.m. on ESPN Carter’s Pick:No. 6 Texas 10, Oklahoma 9
Tuesday June 16 Game 10: No. 3 Georgia vs. Oklahoma; 7 p.m. on ESPN Carter’s Pick:No. 3 Georgia 9, Oklahoma 6
Wednesday June 17 Game 12: No. 6 Texas vs. No. 3 Georgia; 6 p.m. on ESPN Carter’s Pick:No. 3 Georgia 14, No. 6 Texas 8
Thursday June 18: Game 14: No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 6 Texas; TBD Carter’s Pick: No. 3 Georgia 12, No. 6 Texas 11
Championship series Bracket 1 winner vs. Bracket 2 winner
Game 1: No. 3 Georgia vs. Ole Miss; 8 p.m. Saturday, June 20 on ESPN Carter’s Pick:No. 3 Georgia 10, Ole Miss 8
Game 2: No. 3 Georgia vs. Ole Miss; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, June 21 on ABC Carter’s Pick:No. 3 Georgia 15, Ole Miss 12
