Arkansas closing in on transfer that could immediately be a starter on defense

Arkansas football is set to host a major transfer portal visitor as the Razorbacks continue their push to overhaul a struggling defense. According to college football analyst Matt Zenitz, North Carolina linebacker transfer Khmori House plans to visit both Arkansas and Tennessee in the coming days.

Zenitz shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), writing:

“North Carolina linebacker transfer Khmori House plans to visit Tennessee and Arkansas, his agency @APSportsAgency tells me, @chris_hummer and @CodyNagel247. Ranks as the fourth-best linebacker in the transfer portal. Tallied 78 tackles this season.”

Khmori House: A Top Rated LB in Transfer Portal

Landing a player of House’s caliber would be a significant win for Arkansas as it looks to rebound from a porous defensive performance a season ago. While head coach Ryan Silverfield was not part of the 2025 staff responsible for those struggles, the urgency to flip the defense is clear. Competing in the SEC requires consistent production on that side of the ball, and addressing linebacker play is a critical step in that process being viewed as the Quarterback of the defense in many defensive schemes. Manning the middle of the defense and voicing the play-calling is arguably one of the most important positions on that side of the ball for success.

House brings an intriguing skill set to the table. Listed at 6-foot and 215 pounds, he is a rangy, athletic linebacker who excels in space. Though slightly undersized by traditional SEC standards, House has room to add weight, and doing so should not significantly impact his speed, one of the defining strengths of his game. His sideline-to-sideline range and ability to track down ball carriers would immediately bolster Arkansas’ second level.

Razorbacks' SEC Competition

Before his collegiate career, House was a highly regarded recruit out of California. Rivals.com rated him as the nation’s No. 23 linebacker and the No. 30 overall prospect in the state. ESPN also viewed him favorably, ranking him as the 42nd linebacker nationally and the 47th prospect from California. Those evaluations have largely held up, as House has continued to develop at the college level showing steady improvement from year to year.

House’s path has already included multiple stops. He began his career with the Washington Huskies before transferring to North Carolina, where he played for the Tar Heels during the 2025 season and totaled 78 tackles. Now, he is back in the portal seeking his third collegiate home, with Arkansas and Tennessee emerging as the two confirmed visit destinations.

That creates a high-stakes recruiting battle for the Razorbacks. Tennessee, a conference rival, presents stiff competition, making it crucial for Arkansas to capitalize on its visit. Making a strong impression, both in terms of defensive vision and opportunity for immediate impact, could go a long way in convincing House that Fayetteville is the right fit.

If Arkansas is serious about changing the narrative surrounding its defense, landing a proven, high-upside linebacker like Khmori House would be a major step in the right direction.