Arkansas has added an important piece to its wide receiver room, as New Mexico State transfer Donovan Faupel has committed to the Razorbacks.
Faupel made his decision following a two-day official visit to Fayetteville, which came after an earlier visit to UCLA this week. Momentum had been building for Arkansas throughout the visit, and a commitment prediction was logged on Wednesday. Faupel officially pulled the trigger and hasn't looked back.
"“I loved my trip, it felt like home,” Faupel said. “Arkansas checked every box for me, from player development, opportunity, and culture.”"Donovan Faupel
The veteran receiver said his relationships with the Arkansas coaching staff played a major role in his decision. With this being a main topic of reasoning for a lot of the incoming transfers and newer recruits, the culture seems to be completely reset with this coaching staff.
"“Coach (Larry) Smith, the receiver coach, coach (Tim) Cramsey, the OC, and of course coach Silverfield were all great to be around,” Faupel said. “They made me feel at home right away, and like I said, I love the culture and I’m very excited about my decision.”"Donovan Faupel
Donovan Faupel Brings Hidden Upside to Arkansas
Faupel has one year of eligibility remaining and plans to enroll in time for spring practice, giving him a full offseason to integrate into the Razorbacks’ offense. This will be huge for him to get a head start in learning the offense and getting up to speed before training camp to possibly give him a leg up.
The 6-foot-plus receiver is coming off a strong season with the Aggies, where he caught 61 passes for 661 yards and seven touchdowns. His performance earned him Second Team All-Conference USA honors. Faupel brings a strong athletic frame with good bounce and plays with a noticeable edge, traits that should translate well to the SEC.
A late bloomer from a production standpoint, Faupel emerged this past season as more of a volume-type target while still flashing explosive ability. His seven touchdown receptions stand out, especially as Arkansas looks for reliable red-zone options for whoever ultimately wins the starting quarterback job, whether that’s KJ Jackson or AJ Hill.
Faupel entered college football as a two-star recruit and has since developed into a three-star transfer prospect, a testament to his growth, coachability, and ability to apply development on the field. After Arkansas primarily focused on rebuilding its defense through the transfer portal, addressing what was arguably the team’s biggest weakness a year ago, the addition of Faupel provides a timely boost to a receiving room that will be preparing for the departure of Omega Blake and Raylen Sharpe following the 2025 season.
With experience, physicality, and proven production, Faupel arrives in Fayetteville ready to make an immediate impact in his final collegiate season.