Arkansas State junior quarterback Jaylen Raynor has officially entered the transfer portal, per 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz, opening the door for one of the Razorbacks’ intriguing in-state options at the position.
Raynor spent the past three seasons as the starter for the Red Wolves, steadily improving each year and putting up impressive numbers in the Sun Belt Conference. In 2025, he completed 333 of 501 passes for 3,361 yards, throwing 19 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. On the ground, Raynor added 423 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns. He led the Sun Belt in completions, attempts, yards, and interceptions, helping Arkansas State finish 7-6 after a 34-28 Xbox Bowl win over Missouri State.
Jaylen Raynor's Steady Growth
Raynor signed with Arkansas State as a two-star prospect in the 2023 class but quickly made an impact. He became the starter as a true freshman, taking over for the final 10 games, and earned Sun Belt Freshman of the Year honors after completing 166 of 285 passes for 2,550 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions, while rushing for 5 scores.
He continued to improve over his sophomore and junior seasons:
Completion percentage: 58%-61%-66%
Passing yards: 2,550-2,783- 3,361
Passing touchdowns: 17-16-19
Overall, Raynor is 20-16 as a starting QB and 2-1 in bowl games, with career totals of 758 completions on 1,206 attempts for 8,694 yards, 52 touchdowns, and 28 interceptions. He has also added 1,183 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns on 414 carries. Proven winner at a school that isn't predominantly known as a powerhouse, so that winning mentality will follow him wherever he ends up going.
While Raynor is a pass-first quarterback, his dual-threat ability adds an extra dimension, making him versatile in the right offensive system. He prefers to stay in the pocket to throw but mainly uses his legs to extend plays or when he sees open lanes that the defense is giving him.
Potential Fit With Arkansas and Silverfield
For Arkansas, Raynor could be a logical in-state option at quarterback. Under Tim Cramsey, who previously coached at Memphis, Raynor’s skill set would likely fit nicely in an adapted system that maximizes his strengths as a passer while incorporating his ability to run when needed.
However, moving to the SEC would require him to add size for better durability to handle bigger, faster defenders week to week. With two years of eligibility remaining, this wouldn’t just be a one-year stopgap, Raynor could develop into a longer-term option if he adjusts well. This is a win-win situation if the parties do link up so Raynor can prove himself and Arkansas might not have to break the bank in NIL money while they give him the chance to prove himself as their QB.
Raynor has spent the last three years familiarizing himself within the state of Arkansas and landscape, which could make a transition smoother. For the Razorbacks, he represents a proven player with SEC-ready talent who could compete immediately while providing continuity in-state.
If the transfer portal doesn’t produce other targets for Arkansas, Raynor could emerge as a compelling option for Silverfield and the Razorbacks. Offering both experience and upside in one package could be very enticing. For Raynor, it’s a chance to prove himself at a higher level of competition and showcase the growth he’s shown throughout his collegiate career.