Silverfield trying to raid Memphis to reload Arkansas backfield

Arkansas football recruiting buzz picked up quickly on social media this week, as an Arkansas-focused recruiting page on Twitter predicted the Razorbacks could land former Memphis quarterback AJ Hill following head coach Ryan Silverfield’s move to Fayetteville.

If it comes to fruition, the potential addition would make a lot of sense for both sides.

Hill was personally recruited to Memphis by Silverfield, and the connection between the two remains strong. With Silverfield now tasked with rebuilding Arkansas’ roster amid heavy turnover, quarterback has become one of the most pressing needs for the Razorbacks, and Hill represents a high-upside, familiar option who could help stabilize the position long-term.

A Natural Fit Following Silverfield to Arkansas

Hill enrolled at Memphis as a true freshman last season and appeared in just two games, preserving his eligibility. Because of that limited action, he could technically still have four years of eligibility remaining, making him an ideal developmental quarterback for a program looking beyond just one season.

The timing of Hill’s transfer is notable. Arkansas is entering a transitional period at quarterback after former starter Taylen Green exhausted his eligibility. At the moment, redshirt sophomore KJ Jackson is the only quarterback currently on the Razorbacks’ roster, leaving the depth chart extremely thin heading into the offseason.

Regardless of who ultimately wins the starting job, Arkansas will need to add at least one quarterback, and preferably more, to the room. Hill following his former coach would check that box while also bringing familiarity with Silverfield’s system and expectations.

If Hill does arrive in Fayetteville, it would set up a friendly but meaningful competition with Jackson, assuming that’s the direction the staff chooses to go. Even if Hill isn’t quite ready to be the full-time starter right away, his talent level makes him well worth developing.

Elite Recruiting Pedigree

Coming out of high school, Hill was one of the most highly regarded recruits in Memphis football history. A consensus four-star prospect in the 2025 class, he was ranked as a top-200 national recruit across major services. ESPN seems to agree with his potential having him as high as fifth in 2025 class and the 61st overall player nationally. 247Sports listed him as the No. 10 quarterback in his class just further validation of his perceived potential across multiple recruiting platforms.

Perhaps most notably, Hill chose Memphis over an SEC powerhouse in the Florida Gators. Whether that decision was motivated by early playing time, comfort with the coaching staff, or belief in the program, it still speaks volumes that he passed on a national brand to commit to Silverfield and his vision.

Now, Hill may have the opportunity to get the best of both worlds, playing in the SEC while still being coached by the staff he originally trusted with his development.

A High-Upside Addition for Razorbacks Football

For Arkansas, adding Hill would be a strong move even if he isn’t immediately penciled in as the starter. Quarterbacks with his recruiting profile are highly sought after, especially with multiple years of eligibility remaining. This news also comes amid buzz that Arkansas has interest in former Memphis running back Sutton Smith. Landing both Hill and Smith would significantly bolster the Razorbacks’ future outlook while simultaneously pulling proven talent from a familiar program.

With Silverfield rebuilding the Razorbacks and prioritizing stability at the game’s most important position, the potential addition of Antwann “AJ” Hill feels like more than speculation, it feels like a logical next step. Pairing familiar faces like Hill and Smith could help create continuity and give Arkansas a backfield with the potential to pack a punch and surprise teams across the SEC.

Pair the Group of 5 stars together and let them get after SEC defenses to see how they fare. Whether it happens soon or later in the cycle, Hill is a name Arkansas fans should continue to watch closely.