Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt is famous for rousing rabble. But Arkansas faithful might appreciate him for it this time.
Klatt released his way-too-early Top 10 for the 2022 season late last week and included four teams from the SEC in the list. Alabama and Georgia were not exactly surprises at No. 1 and No. 3. Texas A&M, always a media favorite before seasons actually begin, was at No. 4.
But at No. 7 was a team unexpected: Arkansas.
With lots of variables (transfers) to come here is a WAY-TOO-EARLY CFB 2022 top 10
1) @AlabamaFTBL
2) @OhioStateFB
3) @GeorgiaFootball
4) @AggieFootball
5) @UMichFootball
6) @ClemsonFB
7) @RazorbackFB
8) @Utah_Football
9) @NDFootball
10) @WakeFB— Joel Klatt (@joelklatt) January 8, 2022
Klatt gave the caveat that much could change, of course. Arkansas is likely to land a transfer or two and sign even more players coming out of high school as the team has the scholarships available following an exodus to the transfer portal.
It’s still a whale of a prediction for a team had won a total of seven games the previous three seasons before an 8-4 regular season was capped with an Outback Bowl win over Penn State on New Year’s Day.
Arkansas will return a likely All-SEC quarterback in KJ Jefferson and three of its top four running backs. Oklahoma transfer Jadon Haselton will seek to replace likely first-round NFL draft pick Treylon Burks out wide. The return of Bumper Pool for a super senior season and Jalen Catalon declining high draft slotting, too, will help.
The Razorbacks are unlikely to be ranked that high when the preseason polls are released in the late summer, but things are certainly looking up in Fayetteville.