As Brendan Sorsby weighs one of the most pivotal decisions of his football career, entering the NFL Draft or returning to college via the transfer portal, the choice in front of him isn’t simply about timing. It’s about trajectory.
While Sorsby’s physical tools and production have already placed him on NFL radars, the more prudent path may be one more year of development at the highest level of college football. And if that’s the direction he chooses, Arkansas football should be prepared to make a strong, aggressive push.
Under new head coach Ryan Silverfield, the Razorbacks offer something few programs can: elite competition, a blank-slate rebuild, schematic flexibility, NIL resources, and a stage big enough to define an NFL legacy.
Sorsby's NFL Talent, Still Room to Grow
There’s no denying Sorsby’s résumé. In 2025, he posted a top-10 PFSN CFB QB Impact score of 88.2, accounting for nearly 3,400 yards and 36 touchdowns with just five interceptions. At 6’3”, 230 pounds, he has the size, arm strength, and athleticism NFL teams covet.
Sorsby received one first-place vote in ESPN's QB1 poll in November. ESPN's Mel Kiper ranks Sorsby the No. 7 quarterback prospect in the upcoming draft, a ranking that will climb considering multiple quarterbacks in front of him on the list are expected to return to college.
But production and tools don’t always equal readiness.
Sorsby has come a long way since his Indiana days, yet his development arc is far from complete. Refining pocket management, consistency under pressure, and winning within structure against elite defenses are still steps remaining. One more season, in the right environment, could elevate him from “interesting” to undeniable in NFL draft circles.
Why Arkansas Makes Sense
If Sorsby returns to school, he’ll have options. He could choose a perceived “plug-and-play” contender, post gaudy numbers, and ride system success. But that path often raises a familiar NFL question:
How much did the quarterback elevate the roster around him?
That’s where Arkansas becomes compelling.
The Razorbacks are not a finished product and that’s precisely the point. Under Silverfield, Arkansas is entering a rebuild that requires leadership, toughness, and belief. If Sorsby is serious about becoming a top-five NFL pick, there may be no better proving ground than the SEC, where every snap is evaluated under a microscope and in a system under Silverfield that will cater to his strengths to set him up for success more times than not.
Winning at Arkansas would mean something different. It would show he can:
- Elevate teammates
- Accelerate a rebuild
- Win against elite weekly competition
- Lead through adversity
Ironically, that’s exactly what he’d be asked to do if drafted early by an NFL franchise anyway.
The Silverfield Factor
Ryan Silverfield’s reputation as a developer and recruiter matters here. During his time at Memphis, Silverfield consistently maximized quarterback talent while tailoring offensive schemes to player strengths, not forcing players into rigid systems.
Silverfield has been outspoken about avoiding coaching arrogance, emphasizing adaptability over dogma. That philosophy aligns perfectly with a quarterback like Sorsby, who thrives when his physical tools are paired with intelligent game planning and freedom within structure.
With Silverfield bringing OC Tim Cramsey with him, Arkansas has an offensive brain trust that has proven it can mold systems around quarterbacks, blending pro-style concepts, tempo, RPOs, and vertical passing based on personnel.
Sorsby wouldn’t be walking into a one-size-fits-all offense. He’d be walking into a staff invested in rounding out his game for Sundays.
NIL, Momentum, and the Trickle-Down Effect
Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek and the program’s leadership have been clear: resources are available. NIL is not an obstacle. Commitment is not an obstacle. Now it’s about deployment.
Landing a quarterback like Sorsby would immediately shift national perception. It wouldn’t just solve the most important position on the field, it would create much needed momentum and excitement. Skill players want to play with elite quarterbacks. Linemen want to block for them. Defensive players believe faster when the offense can score.
A Sorsby commitment would trigger a trickle-down effect, accelerating Arkansas’ rebuild overnight.
Other contenders will emerge. The NFL will continue to call. But Arkansas offers something different and arguably more valuable for a quarterback chasing the top of the draft.
Not comfort.
Not convenience.
Validation.
If Brendan Sorsby wants to prove he’s more than tools and production, if he wants to prove he can lift a program, win in the SEC, and prepare himself for the realities of NFL life, then Fayetteville may be the most meaningful stop he can make.
For Arkansas, the message is simple: If Sorsby returns to school, this is the quarterback worth going all-in for and the move Arkansas fans would start believing in the Silverfield era.