Cade Fortin starts for Arkansas at Mississippi State

Cade Fortin received his first start for the Razorbacks, in for injured KJ Jefferson.

Cade Fortin received the first start of his Arkansas career on Saturday against Mississippi State.

The South Florida transfer received the nod over usual starter KJ Jefferson after Jefferson suffered an undisclosed injury against Alabama last week. Coach Sam Pittman said Jefferson was suffering “symptoms” after hitting his head against the Crimson Tide. Fortin played the last two series of the loss that week.

Jefferson made the trip to Starkville and went through pre-game warm-ups but was deemed not ready to go by the Arkansas coaching staff.

Fortin began his career at North Carolina where he spent his first three seasons, almost exclusively as a back-up. He transferred to South Florida for the 2021 season and started one game that did not go well.

Fortin beat out last year’s No. 2, Malik Hornsby, for the right to serve as the top reserve to Jefferson this season, in fall camp.

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