It’s February. The depth chart isn’t set. Spring practice hasn’t even kicked off. And that’s exactly why it’s the perfect time for bold predictions.
The Arkansas Razorbacks football are entering a new era after the midseason firing of Sam Pittman. In steps Ryan Silverfield, fresh off his tenure at Memphis Tigers football, bringing new life to a program that desperately needs it.
The offseason is where optimism lives. It’s where fans convince themselves that everything can change overnight. So let’s lean into it.
Here are three early, and bold, predictions for Arkansas football in 2026.
Arkansas Breaks Its SEC Losing Streak
This shouldn’t be bold… but it is.
Arkansas is currently riding a 10-game SEC losing streak dating back to 2024, when they last won a conference matchup. As painful as that sounds, it’s not even the program’s worst stretch, the Razorbacks dropped 20 straight SEC games from 2017 to 2020.
The 2026 schedule? A gauntlet. Heavy hitters from across the conference. Playoff contenders. Road environments that swallow teams whole. And to make matters tougher, Arkansas only has one bye week while most teams get two.
But here’s the thing: this team has to get the weight off its back.
Silverfield’s first priority is momentum. Culture doesn’t change without results, and nothing resets a locker room faster than a conference win. It doesn’t have to be pretty. It doesn’t have to be against a top-tier opponent.
It just has to happen.
The Defense Outperforms the Offense
If you said this a year ago, people might have questioned your sanity.
Last season, Arkansas allowed 33.8 points per game, eighth-most in the country. The defense was routinely gashed and struggled to close out games.
Meanwhile, the offense averaged 32.9 points per game and ranked top 15 nationally in total yards.
So how does that flip?
It might not require a dramatic defensive leap, just a little regression on offense along with a slight bump to the defense..
The Razorbacks are replacing major production. Quarterback Taylen Green and running back Mike Washington Jr. are both off to the NFL. That’s leadership, explosiveness, and a massive chunk of yardage walking out the door.
Yes, there are portal additions. Yes, Silverfield has recruited skill talent well. But continuity matters, and the offense will feel the transition.
On the other side of the ball, the new staff made it clear in the transfer portal: defense was the priority. Experience was added. Competition was added. Accountability was added.
The defense doesn’t have to become elite overnight. It just has to become respectable, and slightly more consistent than an offense replacing its identity.
True Freshman Hank Hendrix Wins the Quarterback Job
Now this is bold.
With Green gone, Fayetteville is bracing for a true quarterback battle. KJ Jackson, transfer AJ Hill from Memphis, and Braeden Fuller from Angelo State all enter the conversation.
But what about the wildcard? Four-star reclassified freshman Hank Hendrix.
At 6’3” and around 175 pounds, he’s got the arm talent and frame that coaches dream about. The concern is obvious: bulk. The SEC is not forgiving, and adding weight will be crucial for durability.
Still, this is a rebuild. This is Year 1 of the Silverfield era. Why not go with the highest ceiling?
If Hendrix shows command of the offense, poise in spring ball, and a willingness to take hits while learning on the fly, he could force the staff’s hand. Starting a true freshman is risky, but so is playing it safe in a reset year.