Arkansas football: 5 players Hogs should pursue in transfer portal

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Sam Pittman of the Arkansas Razorbacks stands with his team prior to a game against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Sam Pittman of the Arkansas Razorbacks stands with his team prior to a game against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
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Arkansas football
Oct 15, 2022; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Connor Bazelak (9) throws a pass during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /

Arkansas football transfer portal target #1: Indiana QB Connor Bazelak

We began to address the Arkansas football quarterback situation on the initial page. QB Cade Fortin still has some eligibility. Malik Hornsby has already announced he is trying his luck in the transfer portal. KJ Jefferson could opt for the NFL draft.

Ask yourself a few questions: If both Hornsby and Jefferson are gone, do you trust Fortin to be the starting QB for an entire season and lead a winning offense? If all three leave, does the bottom totally drop out?

Enter Connor Bazelak to help answer some of those questions. Obviously, if Jefferson returns, Arkansas football would be adding Bazelak as his primary backup. If Jefferson leaves, I’d feel much better about Bazelak starting over Fortin, especially with starting experience at both Missouri and Indiana.

While Bazelak’s stats don’t inspire extreme confidence–he’d be more of a game manager than a difference maker–he would bring a ton of Power 5 experience to the table if the Hogs ended up in a situation where he had to be the season-long starter. And besides, Arkansas football did pretty well with their last SEC transfer at quarterback.

Add in that he has a previous relationship with (current) defensive coordinator Barry Odom, and you have the makings of a really solid match for both sides.

Honorable Mention: Texas QB Hudson Card