Arkansas football continues to build momentum under head coach Ryan Silverfield, landing another significant piece for the program’s rebuild by flipping a highly productive offensive lineman, Carey Clayton, from Memphis. The Razorbacks secured the signature of a three-star interior lineman out of Southlake Carroll High School, one of the most respected high school programs in the state of Texas.
Carey Clayton: A Foundation Piece for Silverfield’s Rebuild
The Southlake Carroll product was ranked as the No. 9 center nationally by ESPN and brings a résumé that reflects both production and winning pedigree. As a senior, he was named Texas District 4-6A Offensive Lineman of the Year after helping lead the Dragons to a dominant 14–1 record. He also earned First-Team All-District honors and blocked for an offense that averaged an eye-popping 483.1 total yards per game during the 2025 season.
His accolades didn’t stop there. He was named a Top-100 Fort Worth-area high school player to watch entering his senior year and earned All-District honors as a junior. Originally committed to Memphis, he ultimately chose to follow Ryan Silverfield to Fayetteville, officially signing with Arkansas, another clear example of the trust Silverfield has carried with him from his previous stop.
A Texas Dual-Sport Lineman With High Upside
One underrated aspect of this commitment is the athlete behind the pads. In addition to football, he also competed in track and field, a trait that stands out even more considering his size and position. Dual-sport athletes are always valued, but when an offensive lineman shows that level of athleticism, it raises the ceiling significantly. Mobility, leverage, and explosiveness are increasingly critical in modern SEC offensive lines, and this recruit checks those boxes early.
The move represents a sharp turn from what once looked like a Group of Five future to stepping directly into the most physical conference in college football. That transition isn’t lost on anyone. All respect to Memphis and the Group of Five, especially considering that Silverfield and several Razorbacks now hail from that background, but this is SEC football. It’s go time in Fayetteville.
Silverfield Prioritizes Strength in the Trenches
From a roster-building perspective, this flip feels both strategic and foundational. Centers are often undervalued nationally compared to skill positions, but elite offensive lines are built from the inside out. At 6-foot-3, he also projects as a potential guard with added strength and development, giving Arkansas flexibility along the interior. Winning District Offensive Lineman of the Year honors in Texas, where “everything is bigger”, suggests the Razorbacks may have landed a steal.
Early returns from Silverfield’s recruiting approach are clear: he values size, physicality, and trench play on both sides of the ball. SEC fans know that championships and sustained success are won up front, and Arkansas appears committed to that identity.
This may not be the flashiest headline, but it’s exactly the type of move that builds a program the right way. Solid, developmental pieces like this are how rebuilds turn into contenders. Keep building, Coach Silverfield, Razorback fans are starting to see the vision.