Arkansas football's fall camp is officially set for Aug. 5, giving Ryan Silverfield roughly two dozen practices and a pair of scrimmages to prepare the Hogs for their Sept. 5 opener against North Alabama.
After inheriting a 2-10 team and replacing the overwhelming majority of its roster, Silverfield will have no shortage of important decisions to make. That said, Arkansas needs before the beginning of the 2026 season.
Who will be the Hogs' go-to wide receiver?
Many Arkansas fans are worried about who the Hogs' starting quarterback will be (more on that in a moment), but there's arguably just as big a question at the wide receiver spot. The Razorbacks' depth chart is wide open as they figure out their new offensive identity under head coach Ryan Silverfield, with Memphis transfer Jamari Hawkins, Boise State transfer Chris Marshall, CJ Brown, and Ismael Cisse among the players competing for starting roles.
Hawkins caught 38 passes for 623 yards and two touchdowns for Memphis last season, finishing second on the Tigers in both receptions and receiving yards, so it's safe to say he will be comfortable in Silverfield and Tim Cramsey's system.
However, Marshall may possess the highest ceiling in the room. The former five-star recruit produced 574 yards on 30 catches at Boise State last year, using his 6-foot-3 frame to average more than 19 yards per catch. If he can finally pair his physical talent with consistency, he could become the big-play receiver Arkansas desperately needs. Outside of him, the Hogs will lean on returning players like Brown and Cisse to provide some stability, setting up what could be a deep rotation at WR.
What is Ryan Silverfield's plan for the running back position?
If there is one position where the Arkansas Razorbacks have legitimate SEC-level depth this year, it's the running back spot. Braylen Russell showed flashes of major potential for the Hogs last season alongside Mike Washington Jr., and now, he'll be playing alongside a back that's arguably even more complementary: Sutton Smith.
Memphis transfer Sutton Smith had 102 carries, 669 yards, and 7 TDs on the ground last season while also adding 20 catches for 109 yards through the air. He's a shifty back who offers a great change of pace, and if used correctly, he could be a great complement to Russell's bruising, downhill style.
How many transfers will Ryan Silverfield start?
Heading into the 2026 football season, the Arkansas Razorbacks arguably have more question marks around their team than any season in modern history. Roughly 80 new players are joining the Razorbacks this year, with over 40 of those being transfers from other schools. With seven transfers (AJ Hill, Sutton Smith, Jamari Hawkins, Matt Adcock, Malachi Breland, Josiah Clemons, and Ian Williams) following Ryan Silverfield from Memphis to Arkansas alone, the new head coach already has several players who understand his expectations and coaching style.
Breland appears to be the closest thing to a guaranteed starter at left guard, while Hawkins and Smith should have major roles at wide receiver and running back, respectively. Hill is competing for the starting quarterback job, while Adcock, Clemons, and Williams will attempt to climb the depth chart during camp.
And that doesn't even account for the numerous transfers arriving from other programs. Chris Marshall, Bryant Williams, Hunter Osborne, David Oke, Khmori House, Christian Harrison, and several other newcomers could also open the season with the first team. By the time Arkansas takes the field against North Alabama, it wouldn't be surprising if transfers occupied the majority of the Hogs' starting lineup.
Can the Hogs' defense build around Quincy Rhodes?
The offensive side of the ball is always bound to get more attention, but as far as returning Razorbacks go, no player is more important to the cause than Quincy Rhodes. The talented edge rusher was a Second Team All-SEC defensive end a year ago, and ahead of this season, he received the same recognition as part of the SEC Media's preseason All-SEC picks. However, the Hogs will need more than just one star if they want to turn things around under new defensive coordinator Ron Roberts.
Bradley Shaw should give the Hogs some stability at linebacker, while Khmori House's hybrid skill set gives Roberts flexibility at nickel. The defensive secondary remains a work in progress, with transfers expected to occupy nearly every starting spot. If opposing offensive lines can devote all their attention to stopping Rhodes, the Razorbacks will struggle to pressure SEC quarterbacks regardless of what Roberts draws up.
Which player will be Arkansas' starting quarterback?
Ahead of Ryan Silverfield's first year with the Arkansas Razorbacks, no position battle matters more than the quarterback spot. With incumbent Razorback KJ Jackson and Memphis transfer AJ Hill both competing to earn their first full season as a starting college quarterback, the Hogs' offensive identity will remain a mystery until one of the two emerges as the clear leader of the squad.
Jackson performed fairly well in his appearances for the Razorbacks, completing 33 of 54 passes for 441 yards and three touchdowns while adding 52 yards and two scores on the ground. Hill struggled a bit more during his limited playing time for Memphis, completing 19 of 32 passes for 223 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. However, he has an obvious advantage in his familiarity with Silverfield and offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey's system.
Arkansas doesn't need to name its starter after the first practice, but Silverfield likely knows that the longer he delays his decision, the longer it will be before the Hogs' offense starts to develop real chemistry.
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