Arkansas landed a major speed upgrade at wide receiver by securing a commitment from former LSU speedster Jelani Watkins. The Razorbacks continue to reshape their receiver room, and Watkins brings exactly what the offense has been missing, pure, game-breaking speed. A former Tiger, Watkins spent two seasons at LSU before entering the transfer portal and now heads to Fayetteville with three years of eligibility remaining.
Watkins was part of a massive offensive exodus from LSU following a complete overhaul of the offensive staff under new head coach Lane Kiffin. Nearly every wide receiver on the roster either entered the transfer portal or declared for the NFL Draft, and Watkins was among those seeking a fresh start. His departure had less to do with talent and more to do with opportunity, making him a strong value pickup for Arkansas and one the offensive staff must be thrilled about.
Jelani Watkins: Razorbacks’ Gain Is LSU’s Loss
Dual track and football athlete Jelani Watkins transfers from LSU to Arkansas.
— Travis Miller (@travismillerx13) January 12, 2026
Was third in the 100m final at the NCAA Champs as a freshman. pic.twitter.com/tXg246FppY
A member of LSU’s 2024 recruiting class, Watkins was a four-star prospect and one of the top wide receivers in the state of Texas coming out of high school. He ranked inside the top 120 nationally and was viewed as a dynamic playmaker with elite athletic traits. Stealing a player of that caliber from an in-conference rival is always a win, especially when it directly addresses a roster need.
At 5-foot-10, 165 pounds, Watkins isn’t built to dominate defenses with volume targets, but that’s not his game. He’s a track standout with legitimate burner speed who can take the top off a defense in an instant. Get the ball in his hands, whether on deep shots, jet sweeps, or quick hitters, and he can turn routine plays into explosive gains. While his catch totals may never be gaudy, his yards-per-catch number has the potential to skyrocket, giving Arkansas a much-needed home-run threat on the outside.
With Watkins now in the fold, Arkansas adds a dangerous vertical weapon and injects some real juice into the receiver room, exactly the kind of playmaker that can stretch defenses and open things up for the entire offense.