Bryce Stephens exits transfer portal, will stay with Arkansas

Bryce Stephens’ removal from the transfer provides Arkansas with even more depth at wideout next year.

The man who saved Arkansas’ proverbial bacon against Bobby Petrino will be back.

Wide receiver/return specialist Bryce Stephens withdrew his name from the NCAA transfer portal on Wednesday, signaling a return to the Razorbacks for the 2024.

Stephens was Arkansas’ primary kick and punt returner two years ago. His 82-yard punt return against Missouri State with less than 10 minutes left allowed the Hogs to overtake the Bears en route to an eventual 38-27 win.

But Stephens lost that gig to Isaiah Sategna in 2023. He also did not factor into the passing game, going from nine catches in 2022 to zero last year. He entered the transfer portal on December 7.

Stephens’ return provides Arkansas with the return of scholarship wide receiver on the roster last year, though wideout Tyrone Broden has not yet officially announced.