Arkansas football may have just secured its quarterback of the future, and it’s a move that signals where head coach Ryan Silverfield intends to take the program. The Razorbacks landed Antwann “AJ” Hill, a former Top 100 ESPN recruit in the Class of 2025, giving Arkansas a high-ceiling signal caller with four full seasons of eligibility remaining.
According to college football analyst Pete Thamel, Hill is following a familiar path, one that mirrors Silverfield’s own recruiting success that got him to commit to Memphis out of high school. Silverfield was instrumental in getting Hill out of high school, and now the two are reunited in Fayetteville. That existing relationship matters, especially at the quarterback position, where trust, development, and long-term vision are everything.
Former Memphis QB AJ Hill is committing to Arkansas, he tells ESPN. Hill is a former Top 100 ESPN recruit in the class of 2025. He’ll have four seasons of eligibility remaining. pic.twitter.com/3nYwifCRUc
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 5, 2026
Antwann "AJ" Hill: Razorbacks' QB of the Future
Hill’s addition is significant for Arkansas both literally and figuratively. At 6’5”, 230 pounds, he brings the kind of size and physical presence that immediately stands out in the SEC. But Hill isn’t just a big body under center. He pairs that frame with athleticism that allows him to make defenders miss in space and a powerful right arm capable of stretching the field. He’s the type of quarterback who can thrive in today’s dynamic, fast-paced offenses, exactly the kind Arkansas has leaned on during its best offensive years.
If you squint your eyes, there are flashes of former Razorback quarterback Taylen Green, who enjoyed a strong career in Fayetteville. Like Green, Hill combines size, mobility, and arm talent in a way that stresses defenses and opens up the playbook. That versatility gives Arkansas flexibility in how it builds its offense moving forward.
One of the most important aspects of this acquisition is time. Hill isn’t a one-year rental or a short-term fix. With four years of eligibility remaining, Silverfield and offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey can develop Hill the right way, patiently, deliberately, and with a long-term plan in mind. In the current era of college football, where roster turnover is constant, that kind of stability at quarterback is invaluable.
Of course, with Hill’s talent, there’s no guarantee Arkansas will get all four years. If everything clicks, his skill set gives him a legitimate path to the NFL when it’s all said and done. Still, having the opportunity to build around him for multiple seasons puts the Razorbacks in a strong position moving forward.
Silverfield Not Done Navigating the Transfer Portal
This was one of the more exciting transfers Arkansas fans were hoping Silverfield could pull from his previous stop at Memphis, and he delivered. It’s a move that reinforces belief in Silverfield’s vision for the program and sends a message that Arkansas intends to keep pace with the best offenses in the conference.
Landing a player like Hill also helps set the stage for future recruiting wins. Top talent wants to compete with the best, develop at a high level, and play in a program that’s clearly ascending. This addition checks all of those boxes and makes Fayetteville an even more attractive destination.
There’s still work to be done in the transfer cycle, and the coaching staff knows the job isn’t finished. But bringing in Antwann “AJ” Hill is a major step forward, and a clear sign that Arkansas football is building something with purpose, patience, and a quarterback built for the future.