Arkansas Razorbacks get huge early Christmas present despite having a nightmare start to their offseason
This time of year in Northwest Arkansas is one where the fans of the Arkansas Razorbacks have already been tuned into basketball season for some time now, as the football team usually is in some sort of disaster. Now, give them credit where credit is due — they went from a four-win team to making […]
This time of year in Northwest Arkansas is one where the fans of the Arkansas Razorbacks have already been tuned into basketball season for some time now, as the football team usually is in some sort of disaster. Now, give them credit where credit is due — they went from a four-win team to making a bowl game this year.
It just so happens that their bowl game is the Liberty Bowl, a bowl game they played two years ago against the Kansas Jayhawks in what was actually a pretty amazing game. They play in the Liberty Bowl stadium in 2025, too, but for a game against the Memphis Tigers. This program shouldn't be okay with playing the Liberty Bowl every other year, because it's a bowl game that they like, but head coach Sam Pittman seems very contemptuous of that, or he wouldn't have requested that game.
This football program doesn't seem to be one that's yearning for any type of success above a six-win season. I'm sure they don't like to lose because no one does, but why are they so okay with being so mediocre? That, among one million other things, is why this early offseason period has been such a disaster. The Razorbacks still have their bowl game to play, so the 2024 season isn't officially over, but they have started on the 2025 offseason already, as has every team, with the transfer portal being open.
The Razorbacks have lost almost as many players as anyone else in the country when it comes to guys putting their names in the transfer portal. You have guys who said they grew up being taught to hate Ole Miss, and then are transferring to Ole Miss a week later. That's how bad things in Arkansas have been.
But now, they get a little bit of sunshine, and an early Christmas present as the portal works in their favor.
Razorbacks land four-star through transfer portal
Jac'Qawn McRoy, a true freshman offensive tackle, made the move from Oregon to Arkansas following his first year with the Ducks by entering the transfer portal. Coming from Pinson, Alabama, McRoy was a highly-rated four-star recruit in the 2024 class, ranking among the elite tackles nationally.
He didn't play during his redshirt year at Oregon due to the team's robust offensive line, which was a contender for the Joe Moore Award. On December 4, 2024, he entered the transfer portal and then committed to Arkansas with four years of eligibility left.
His transfer was motivated by a desire to be closer to home and to secure more playing time, something less available at Oregon due to their tackle depth. With his impressive stature of 6'8" and 365 lbs, McRoy is expected to significantly enhance Arkansas' offensive line.
The offensive line was not great last year. And, while you think Sam Pittman would recruit better offensive linemen, he does occasionally get that big-time name to transfer to Arkansas or to commit to Arkansas out of high school.
So, this is great news for a program that needs it more than ever.
