A college football analyst, Nicholas Rome, is predicting that the Arkansas Razorbacks could be in prime position to land one of the top players available in the transfer portal and it’s a name Razorback fans are already very familiar with.
Carius Curne: Top Guard in the Portal
Coming out of high school, Carius Curne was one of the most sought-after recruits in the entire country. A consensus Top-50 prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, Curne was also ranked as the top player in the state of Arkansas, making him a major priority for the Razorbacks during his initial recruitment. While Arkansas came close the first time, Curne ultimately signed with LSU.
Now, the Razorbacks may be getting a second chance and this time, it’s hard to see the hometown team missing out again.
Curne recently announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal after his true freshman season with the Tigers. Despite LSU head coach Lane Kiffin being expected to retain much of the Tigers’ core roster, losing Curne represents a significant blow to the program, especially considering the role he played as a freshman.
As a first-year player, Curne appeared in seven games, making five starts as LSU worked to rebuild its offensive line. He logged 308 total snaps, an impressive workload for a true freshman in the SEC. While there were expected growing pains, Curne consistently flashed the physical tools and athleticism that made him such a highly touted recruit out of high school.
Originally projected as an interior offensive lineman, Curne surprised many by playing both tackle positions during the season. Although he struggled at times, as most first year linemen do, he also showed tremendous upside. His size, strength, and movement skills give him the flexibility to play multiple positions along the offensive line, making him an incredibly valuable piece for any program looking to rebuild in the trenches.
That versatility is exactly what makes Arkansas such a compelling destination.
Ryan Silverfield Has a Type For the Razorbacks
The Razorbacks enter a new era under head coach Ryan Silverfield, and one of the biggest priorities for the staff will be addressing holes along the offensive line. With a new culture, vision, and staff in place, Arkansas is expected to be aggressive in the transfer portal, particularly when it comes to proven SEC-caliber talent.
Silverfield has an opportunity to sell Curne on something no other program can quite match: coming home. Arkansas was close during Curne’s original recruitment, and now, with a new coaching staff and a clear path to early playing time, the Razorbacks can present a fresh pitch with a new perspective on the program. The chance to compete at a high level in the SEC, anchor the offensive line, and continue developing toward an NFL future could be difficult for Curne to pass up.
While some fans may focus on splashy skill-position transfers, those who truly understand the game know that success is built in the trenches. Labeling Curne as “only” a guard would be a mistake. Offensive line flexibility is invaluable, and Curne has the prototype showing he can handle multiple roles against elite competition.
For Silverfield, the task is straightforward: acquire high-level talent first, then adjust schemes, positions, and systems around that talent. Landing one of the best offensive linemen in the transfer portal would not only fill an immediate need, but it would also send a strong message about the direction of the program.
It may not be the headline portal addition many fans would instantly want, but it could be one of the most important.
If Arkansas is able to bring Carius Curne home, it would represent a massive step forward for the Razorbacks, and potentially the foundation of sustained success under a new head coach