Category: Arkansas Razorbacks

Arkansas softball up one spot in two new Top 25 rankings

Arkansas Softball: Here’s a look at where the Arkansas Razorbacks are ranked in this week’s USA TODAY Sports/NFCA Coaches Poll and D1Softball Top 25 rankings for Week 12.

Arkansas’ SEC series victory over Alabama over the weekend provided the Razorbacks with a small jump in two new Top 25 softball polls this week.

The Hogs (32-12 overall, 11-7 conference) moved up one spot in both the new USA TODAY Sports/NCFA Division I Top 25 coaches poll, as well as the new D1Softball Top 25 poll.

Arkansas moved to No. 12 in D1Softball’s poll and to No. 15 in the coaches poll. The team’s highest ranking in a major poll this week is at No. 8 — in Softball America’s new Top 25, released Monday.

Just as importantly as the polls, the Razorbacks are ranked No. 13 in the RPI rankings. Similar to the NET rankings in men’s and women’s basketball, those rankings hold more weight when the selection committee decides its seedings for the NCAA Division I Softball Tournament.

The top four teams were the same in both the coaches poll and D1Softball’s poll. Texas (38-6 overall) stayed at No. 1 for the third consecutive week. Oklahoma (42-4) was ranked second while Tennessee (34-8) moved up to No. 3 in both polls.

Oklahoma State (39-8) shot up to No. 4 in both polls.

In D1Softball’s poll, UCLA jumped all the way to No. 5 after a series sweep of previously fifth-ranked Stanford. The Bruins (27-9) climbed 12 spots in D1Softball’s poll. Duke (39-6) checked in at No. 5 in the coaches poll.

The SEC had the most ranked teams of any conference with 10 teams in both polls.

Behind Tennessee, LSU was the second-highest ranked SEC school in the coaches poll at No. 6.

Arkansas will face LSU in Baton Rouge this weekend. The series begins Friday with a scheduled 6 p.m. CDT first pitch. The series can be seen on SEC Network+.

How high is Arkansas ranked in new Top 25 softball poll?

Arkansas Softball: Here’s a look at where the Arkansas Razorbacks are ranked in this week’s Softball America Top 25 rankings for the week of April 22.

Arkansas is ranked No. 8 in Softball America’s new Top 25 poll for Week 12, released Monday, April 22.

It’s the second straight week the Razorbacks (32-12 overall, 11-7 SEC) have been ranked No. 8 in the poll.

Arkansas won two of three games at Bogle Park against Alabama over the weekend, including a thrilling, extra-innings walk-off victory in the series opener on Friday and an 8-0 shutout of the Crimson Tide in five innings Sunday.

The top two teams in Softball America’s poll remained the same as last week. Texas (38-6) stayed at No. 1 for the second consecutive week. Reigning national champion Oklahoma (42-4) held at No. 2 in the poll.

Among SEC teams, only No. 3 Tennessee (34-8) and No. 4 Texas A&M (37-9) ranked higher than coach Courtney Deifel’s Razorbacks. Oklahoma State (39-8) rounded out the top five.

The SEC had the most teams of any conference with 10 schools ranked in the poll, including No. 10 Georgia, No. 11 LSU, No. 13 Missouri, No. 14 Florida, No. 17 Mississippi State, No. 18 Alabama and No. 23 Kentucky.

Arkansas resumes play Friday when the Razorbacks travel to Baton Rouge to face LSU for a Top 25 showdown. Friday’s first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. CDT. The game can be seen on SEC Network+.

Walk-off single gives Arkansas softball 1-0 victory over Alabama

Lauren Camenzind hit a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning to help No. 14 Arkansas edge No. 15 Alabama, 1-0, in Friday night’s series-opener at Bogle Park.

Lauren Camenzind hit a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning to help No. 14 Arkansas edge No. 15 Alabama, 1-0, in Friday night’s series-opener at Bogle Park.

Camenzind’s one-out single into center field scored Raigan Kramer from second base for the winning run. Kramer drew a leadoff walk from Alabama starter Kayla Beaver to start the rally. Beaver (14-5) suffered the loss in 8 1/3 innings.

The Razorbacks (31-11 overall, 10-6 conference) tallied nine hits against Beaver. Nia Carter and Cylie Halvorson each had 2-for-4 performances at the plate for Arkansas.

Morgan Leinstock threw a complete-game, four-hit shutout to bookend the Hogs’ victory. Leinstock (11-2) struck out six batters and allowed one walk.

It was the second straight meeting between the Crimson Tide (30-11, 7-9) and the Razorbacks that went to extra innings dating back to last season.

Game 2 of the series is scheduled for an 8 p.m. CDT start Saturday and will be televised nationally by ESPN.

Razorbacks lose key special teams member to transfer portal

An important part of the Arkansas Razorbacks’ special teams uniform has entered the transfer portal.

Sam Pittman and the Arkansas Razorbacks lost an important member of their special teams unit this week.

Max Fletcher, the team’s starting punter from Melbourne, Australia, entered the transfer portal on Thursday, less than a week after the Razorbacks’ annual spring game. Fletcher was a rising name on special teams after a strong 2023 performance. He was named to the Ray Guy Award watchlist ahead of last season and increased his average yards per punt from 37.5 in 2022 to 46.9 in 2023.

In doing so, Fletcher earned second-team All-SEC honors from coaches for his efforts during his sophomore season.

With Fletcher entering the transfer portal, junior Devin Bale is the likely frontrunner to handle punting duties for the Hogs going forward. Bale transferred to Arkansas from Northern Colorado in the Big Sky Conference after the 2022 season . While there, he averaged 41.2 yards per punt over two seasons from 2021-22.

Freshman Sam Dubwig, a preferred walk-on from Arkansas’ Cabot High School, is also a member of the Razorbacks’ special teams unit. Dubwig officially committed to Arkansas in December.

Arkansas lands commitment from Massachusetts transfer Josh Cohen

Razorbacks land commitment from experienced mid-major transfer

According to multiple reports, the Arkansas Razorbacks men’s basketball team has landed a commitment from an accomplished player at the mid-major level, as Massachusetts forward Josh Cohen has committed to the play for Eric Musselman.

Cohen, a Massachusetts transfer, had previously entered the portal recently at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season in which he helped lead the Minutemen to a 20-11 overall record, as well as an 11-7 mark in A-10 play.

A player who originally began his collegiate career at Saint Francis, Cohen is coming off a strong 2023-24 season in which he led Massachusetts in scoring at 15.9 PPG, while also averaging 6.8 RPG and 1.7 APG. Cohen, who started in all 31 games, also shot 54.4% from the field, along with 34.4% from three (11-for-32) and 69.6% from the free throw line to receive First Team All-A-10 honors.

Prior to Massachusetts, Cohen spent four seasons at Saint Francis, three of which he played. Across that span, Cohen averaged a combined 14.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, and 1.7 APG on 58.9% shooting from the field, and earned honors that included 2022-23 NEC Player of the Year.

A team that has seen multiple players enter their name into the transfer portal so far this offseason, this is however Arkansas’ first addition. Cohen should be an instant contributor as well, bringing experience to the Razorbacks 2024-25 front court.

Arkansas freshman guard Layden Blocker to enter transfer portal

Arkansas’ freshman guard will enter the transfer portal

According to reports, Arkansas freshman guard Layden Blocker has entered the transfer portal after only one season with the Razorbacks program.

As a freshman, Blocker appeared in 27 games for the Razorbacks throughout the 2023-24 season, five of which he started. Over that span, Blocker averaged 3.7 PPG, 1.6 RPG, and 1 APG, while also shooting a combined 40.3% from the field.

Coming to Arkansas as a member of the Razorbacks 2023 recruiting class, Blocker was considered a highly-rated four-star point guard out of Sunrise Christian in Kansas, where he was also the nation’s No. 35 overall prospect according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. Blocker was also the nation’s No. 8 point guard, as well as the No. 2 player in the state of Kansas.

Blocker now joins the likes of Devo Davis and Keyon Menifield to enter their names in the transfer portal after the conclusion of Arkansas’ season, one in which the Razorbacks finished 16-17 overall.

Arkansas freshman guard Layden Blocker to enter transfer portal

Arkansas’ freshman guard will enter the transfer portal

According to reports, Arkansas freshman guard Layden Blocker has entered the transfer portal after only one season with the Razorbacks program.

As a freshman, Blocker appeared in 27 games for the Razorbacks throughout the 2023-24 season, five of which he started. Over that span, Blocker averaged 3.7 PPG, 1.6 RPG, and 1 APG, while also shooting a combined 40.3% from the field.

Coming to Arkansas as a member of the Razorbacks 2023 recruiting class, Blocker was considered a highly-rated four-star point guard out of Sunrise Christian in Kansas, where he was also the nation’s No. 35 overall prospect according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. Blocker was also the nation’s No. 8 point guard, as well as the No. 2 player in the state of Kansas.

Blocker now joins the likes of Devo Davis and Keyon Menifield to enter their names in the transfer portal after the conclusion of Arkansas’ season, one in which the Razorbacks finished 16-17 overall.

Arkansas guard Devo Davis to reportedly enter transfer portal

The four-year Arkansas starter will reportedly enter transfer portal

The transfer portal saw a noteworthy addition from the SEC on Wednesday, as Arkansas guard Devo Davis is reportedly entering his name in the portal after four seasons with the Razorbacks program.

A four-year starter for the Razorbacks, Davis is coming off a 2023-24 season in which he started 23-of-30 games for an Arkansas team that finished at 16-17 overall. Davis averaged 5.9 PPG, 3.4 RPG, and 2 APG for the Razorbacks with a 77.1% mark from the free throw line as well.

Across his four years at Arkansas, Davis averaged a combined 8.5 PPG for the Razorbacks, along with 4 RPG, 2.4 APG, and 1.1 SPG across 132 games, 85 of which he started. Davis also held a 42.3% shooting mark from the field, as well as 73.2% from the free throw line.

The senior guard is now the fourth Arkansas player to enter the transfer portal since the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, joined by fellow guards Keyon Menifield, Joseph Pinion, and Denijay Harris.

Get more Arkansas coverage on Razorbacks Wire

Arkansas guard Keyon Menifield to enter transfer portal

Arkansas sophomore guard Keyon Menifield to enter transfer portal

According to multiple reports, Arkansas guard Keyon Menifield has entered the transfer portal after only one season with the Razorbacks program.

Menifield, who transferred from Washington last offseason, appeared in 14 games with the Razorbacks during the 2023-24 season, four of which he started. A year in which the Razorbacks went 16-17 overall, as well as 6-12 in SEC play, Menifield averaged a combined 7.9 PPG, 2.1 RPG, and 1.6 APG, while also shooting 31.7% from three, as well as 74.3% from the free throw line.

Prior to Arkansas, Menifield started 21-of-32 games at Washington during the 2022-23 season as a freshman, averaging 10 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 3.1 APG, and 1.1 SPG. Menifield also shot 41% from the field that season, as well as 33% from three, and helped lead the Huskies that year to a combined 16-16 overall record.

The sophomore guard will now have three years of eligibility remaining, and is one of the SEC’s biggest names to enter their name in the transfer portal so far this offseason.

With spring football just starting, Arkansas looks to replace RB coach

After four years at Arkansas, running backs coach Jimmy Smith has decided to take TCU job.

Just two days into spring football practice and there is already more turnover on the Arkansas coaching staff.

Jimmy Smith, who has coached the Razorbacks’ running backs since Head Coach Sam Pittman hired him in 2020, has announced that he is leaving for the same position at TCU.

With the obvious connected between Smith and former Arkansas offensive coordinator Kendall Briles, who departed Fayetteville to fill the Horned Frogs’ OC position before last season, the move is understandable.

The loss of Smith is a setback for a Razorbacks program that went just 4-8 last season. But, expectation for an improved offense are rising heading into the 2024 season, as former head coach Bobby Petrino returned to Fayetteville as the offensive coordinator, and hand-picked 6-foot-6 Boise State transfer quarterback Taylen Green out of the portal.

But the value of Smith will be tough to replace, especially with his close ties to Georgia, where the Razorbacks have found success in recruiting the past four years. He is credited with bringing in the Hogs’ likely starting tailback, Rashod Dubinion, a 4-Star recruit out of Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove High School.

Smith also helped land two more 4-Star tailbacks, in redshirt-freshman Florida-native Isaiah Augustave, as well as the recently departed A.J. Green, out of Oklahoma. He was also key in helping develop former Razorback Raheem “Rocket” Sanders into one of the SEC’s top ball-carriers.

Pittman gave Smith his first Power 5 job, after he served one season as the running backs coach at Georgia State. He had previously been the head coach at Cedar Grove High School.

Arkansas will begin an immediate search for Smith’s replacement.