The transfer portal just got a lot more interesting for Arkansas fans. Utah EDGE John Henry Daley, one of college football’s most productive defensive players in 2025, has unexpectedly entered the portal, and the Razorbacks should move quickly to make him a priority.
John Henry Daley: The Underrated Utah EDGE Threat Turning Heads
Daley’s rise has been meteoric. Entering the 2025 season with zero career starts, he exploded onto the national scene, finishing with 17.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks over 11 games, both career highs. His dominance helped Utah achieve the 19th-highest defensive grade nationally (85.5), and PFSN recognized him with an 89.1 EDGE Impact Grade, second-best in the nation behind only Texas Tech’s David Bailey. David Bailey is amongst the elite for pass rushers in college football so for Daley to be right behind him, shows how special a talent he is.
With Daley hitting the portal on January 2nd, the timing couldn’t be better for Arkansas. The Razorbacks’ defense struggled in 2025, with major holes in the secondary and inconsistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Landing Daley would immediately transform Arkansas’ pass rush and provide much-needed support for a secondary set for a near-complete overhaul via the portal. Each unit can help each other out and help hide glaring weaknesses for each other. It will be up to new DC Ron Roberts to expose the matchup advantages if he is given the proper pieces on that side of the ball to do so.
Pairing Daley with returning edge rusher/defensive lineman Quincy Rhodes would create one of the most formidable pass-rushing duos in the SEC. QBs would have nowhere to hide, and consistent pressure up front would allow Arkansas’ defensive backs to play more aggressively without being left exposed. For a team aiming to rise in SEC standings, this kind of front-seven dominance is non-negotiable.
Daley’s portal entry also comes at a transitional moment for Utah. With longtime head coach Kyle Whittingham stepping down after 21 seasons and moving to Michigan, defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley now leads the program. That transition could make Arkansas’ pitch even more compelling: SEC football, stability, and the chance to be a cornerstone of a rebuilt elite-level defense under Ryan Silverfield.
Michigan is naturally a top suitor, thanks to Whittingham’s connections, but the Razorbacks have an advantage in proximity, opportunity, and SEC exposure. If Silverfield and his staff act decisively, showing commitment and putting resources on the table, they could flip Daley to Fayetteville and immediately upgrade the defense in a way that impacts every game.
This unexpected portal entry is a potential game-changer for Arkansas. With elite production, NFL-level potential, and a chance to pair with returning talent, Daley could be the catalyst the Razorbacks need to turn a struggling defense into a dominant SEC unit. Acting fast may be the difference between missing out and making a transformative signing.