FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas Coach Sam Pittman turned some heads recently when he said the Razorbacks have eight scholarships open for the Class of 2024.
Most figured the Razorbacks had one at the most. But with the beginning of classes finally beginning on Thursday the pieces to the puzzle started to become clearer.
On the first day of the early signing period on Dec. 20, Pittman explained where the available scholarships were coming from without naming names including some super seniors wouldn't be returning.
"Well, that would be one of them," Pittman said. "Super seniors, you have to ask to come back. They’re through with their degree and things of that nature. There may be something in there. The other thing would be we may have some guys graduating early, earlier than what we might have thought. That would be one or two. Then maybe a medical or something of that nature might be involved in all of those eight I’m getting at where you’re a little bit different."
The Razorbacks had the possibility of 18 super seniors returning. Of those 18, it appears nine will return to Arkansas, four entered the transfer portal, two playing in the East-West Shrine Bowl and three more not coming back. The ones playing in all-star game and then preparing for 2024 NFL Draft are cornerback Dwight McGlothern and offensive lineman Beaux Limmer.
A few super seniors had previously announced they were returning. That group includes two wide receivers, Andrew Armstrong and Isaac TeSlaa, as well as offensive lineman Ty'kieast Crawford. Sources indicate that safety Hudson Clark, wide receiver Tyrone Broden, cornerback Kee'yon Stewart and defensive linemen Keivie Rose, Eric Gregory and Jashaud Stewart will return.
Stewart, the former standout at Jonesboro High School, is still apparently suspended due to some off-the-field issues. It's uncertain when all that will be worked out. But the fact he's suspended means he's still on the squad. In three years, Stewart has 29 tackles, 14 solo, 2.5 sacks and a pass breakup.
Quarterback KJ Jefferson (UCF), defensive back Malik Chavis (UNLV) and defensive tackles Taurean Carter (Colorado) and Anthony "Tank" Booker (SMU) entered the transfer portal.
It was learned earlier this week that offensive guard Brady Latham wasn't returning and was preparing for the 2024 NFL Draft. It also appears tight end Francis Sherman and defensive lineman Marcus Miller won't return.
Offensive lineman Cole Carson has graduated and not returning. Offensive linemen Eli Henderson and Terry Wells have taken medical hardships. That is also a route that cornerback Quincey McAdoo could take, but sources are mixed on that. But a trusted source did emphasize Wednesday that McAdoo hasn't had that discussion with the doctors yet.
McAdoo's status up in the air since he suffered some serious injuries on May 1, 2023, in an automobile accident. However, sources varied on the status of redshirt sophomore cornerback McAdoo taking a medical hardship. A source indicated that was the case, but another said McAdoo hasn't even talked to the doctor about that despite various reports to the contrary. McAdoo also took to X questioning the reports.
"Counting me out before the doctors say is crazy," McAdoo tweeted with a laughing emoji.
McAdoo came to Arkansas in the Class of 2022 as a four-star wide receiver from Clarendon. Midway through the 2022 season Sam Pittman moved McAdoo to cornerback. In nine games, four as starter, McAdoo had 30 tackles, two interceptions, four pass breakups and blocked a punt. He is someone the Razorbacks were relying on heavily to be a key member of the secondary.
McAdoo redshirted in 2023 with hopes of improving enough to eventually return. A trusted source indicated to this reporter following the initial reports of the cornerback medically retiring that McAdoo hasn't talked to the doctor concerning his future in football so thus no decision has been made at this time. With the type injuries McAdoo suffered in the automobile accident there could be a tremendous risk if he opted to play football again.
Arkansas currently has signed 30 new recruits including 13 from the transfer portal. The Hogs have 26 of the 30 signees on campus in addition to a few preferred walk-on recruits from the transfer portal including center Timothy Dawn from Baylor.
