Arkansas and head coach Ryan Silverfield continued their massive roster overhaul as Week 1 of the transfer portal came to a close, adding two defensive backs from Maryland, La’khi Roland and Braydon Lee, to help retool a secondary that struggled throughout the 2025 season.
La’khi Roland: Maryland's Lockdown Sophomore Corner
Roland arrives in Fayetteville after a productive season in the Big Ten where he proved he knows how to find the football. Through 11 games in 2025, he totaled 21 tackles, recorded three interceptions, one being a pick six, and routinely kept opposing quarterbacks in check manning down one side of the field. Those numbers tell the story of a corner who understands leverage, timing, and how to finish plays.
At 6-foot-2 and roughly 190 pounds, Roland immediately brings size and length to an Arkansas secondary that has been searching for consistency. Even more important, he could bring time. With two years of eligibility remaining, the Razorbacks aren’t renting him for a single season, they have an opportunity to develop him into a long-term contributor. Unless he has such a great year that he's a first round corner in the draft, then that'll be a good problem to have.
Roland didn’t arrive without options. He chose Arkansas over other Power Four programs, a decision that matters in today’s transfer portal era, where recruiting battles are just as competitive as they were at the high school level. Turning down traditional defensive back powers like Ohio State speaks volumes about his belief in the vision being sold by the Arkansas staff and head coach Ryan Silverfield.
From a football standpoint, the appeal is obvious. Roland showed legitimate ball skills at Maryland, finishing the season with multiple interceptions while allowing just one touchdown in coverage. That’s the kind of stat line defensive coaches circle in red ink. Standing at his size, he looks every bit the part of an NFL cornerback. His length and physicality allow him to play press coverage against bigger SEC wide receivers without hesitation, a skill Arkansas desperately needs in a league built on size and speed.
Braydon Lee: A Valuable Depth Piece for Razorbacks' Secondary
Arkansas also added Lee, another piece to a secondary that needed reinforcements. In seven games this season, Lee totaled 18 tackles (12 solo), broke up two passes, and recorded an interception. According to Pro Football Focus, he earned an overall defensive grade of 67.0 and an impressive 87.5 tackling grade across 282 snaps at cornerback.
Lee was a three-star prospect in the 2024. While he may not arrive with the same hype as Roland, Lee provides valuable depth and versatility. His strong tackling grades suggest he could thrive in nickel packages, and a potential transition to safety down the line wouldn’t be surprising.
Why Arkansas’ Need for Secondary Help Was Impossible to Ignore
Arkansas has spent the past few seasons cycling through defensive backs, searching for combinations that stick. Roland and Lee give the staff additional pieces to experiment with, whether on the outside or in specialized coverage packages. The philosophy is simple: acquire talent first, then figure out how best to use it.
Neither player will be asked to fix everything overnight. But Arkansas doesn’t need miracles, it needs progress. After a season where the defense, particularly the secondary, struggled mightily, these additions represent a clear step forward. Roland will be asked to do his job. Lee will be asked to grow into his role. And for the Razorbacks, that alone signals a program moving in the right direction.