Ryan Silverfield goes back to where he's most comfortable to land coveted transfer RB

The Arkansas Razorbacks made a major splash in the transfer portal, landing one of the more sought-after running backs available in former Memphis standout Sutton Smith. The Tigers transfer has committed to Arkansas for the 2026 season, On3 has learned.

Smith spent the past four seasons at Memphis and will have one year of eligibility remaining. He is coming off the best year of his collegiate career, finishing the 2025 season with 669 rushing yards and seven touchdowns to lead the Tigers’ ground attack.

Sutton Smith Could Be Arkansas Football's Next Offensive Chess Piece

One of the most notable performances of Smith’s breakout season came against his future team. In a Sept. 20 win over Arkansas, Smith gashed the Razorbacks for a season-high 147 yards and a touchdown, showcasing the explosiveness and versatility that made him such a coveted portal target.

Now, Smith will reunite with head coach Ryan Silverfield in Fayetteville as the Razorbacks continue to rebuild through familiarity and continuity. Smith becomes the fourth former Memphis player to follow Silverfield to Arkansas, joining quarterback AJ Hill and wide receiver Jamari Hawkins among others. After seeing several players depart via the transfer portal, Arkansas has been aggressive in retooling the roster, and more moves are expected as Silverfield continues to shape the program.

Razorbacks Football Has a Clear Prototype in the Transfer Portal

Silverfield’s strategy is clear: bring in players who already understand his system and culture. By tapping back into the core of Memphis’ most productive contributors from last season, Arkansas is building continuity while injecting speed and playmaking ability into the roster. Hawkins and Smith, in particular, bring juice and explosiveness on the offensive side of the ball.

Smith adds a dynamic element to the Razorbacks’ backfield. While he provided plenty of physicality and “thunder” during the 2025 season, his quickness and versatility give Arkansas a true lightning option. He projects as an ideal complementary back who can contribute in multiple ways and thrive as a third-down weapon, whether as a runner, receiver, or pass protector.

Perhaps most intriguing is Smith’s opportunity to continue developing under the same head coach and offensive coordinator. That continuity could allow him to build on his career-best season and hit the ground running in 2026.

With Sutton Smith in the fold, Arkansas takes another meaningful step forward in reshaping its roster and adding proven production. The Razorbacks didn’t just land a transfer, they landed a player who already knows how to make an impact in Silverfield’s offense and hopefully he can bring that same juice against SEC competition.