Tag: Dwight McGlothern

These five Hogs are headed to the NFL combine

The last time Arkansas did not have a player taken in the NFL Draft? It was 1995.

The last time an Arkansas football player was not taken in the NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans were still the Houston Oilers in 1995.

The streak should continue in 2024, especially as five (former?) Arkansas players were invited to the 2024 NFL Draft combine this week. Offensive linemen Beaux Limmer and Brady Latham, kicker Cam Little, defensive end Trajan Jeffcoat and cornerback Dwight McGlothern will all take part in front of dozens of pro teams ahead of the April draft.

Little is the highest rated of the bunch, though that doesn’t mean he stands the best chance at being drafted. Kickers are not in high demand in the draft typically. Little, however, should be taken as he is rated the top kicker in the whole draft, per ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.

Limmer, who can play center and guard, is also rated in the top 10 at his position (in this case, center). Latham, who can also play both positions, may very well be taken nearby.

McGlothern and Jeffcoat were both transfers from elsewhere in the SEC. Jeffcoat played one season with Arkansas after arriving from Missouri, while McGlothern played two seasons in Fayetteville upon leaving LSU.

The combine will be held from Feb. 26 to March 4 and the draft itself is April 25-27.

Arkansas loses best cornerback to NFL Draft

Dwight McGlothern could have had one more season of college football, but will turn pro, instead.

Dwight McGlothern could have had one more season of college football.

Instead, Arkansas’ No. 1 cornerback declared for the NFL Draft.

“As a senior this past year, I enjoyed every second of being with teammates who will be my lifelong friends,” McGlothern wrote on Twitter. “I am excited to start the next chapter of my life and the challenge of preparing for the NFL Draft.”

McGlothern played two seasons for Arkansas after transferring from LSU. He recorded seven interceptions and 72 tackles during his career with the Razorbacks. McGlothern was a preseason All-SEC selection, but injuries limited him to just nine games in 2023 and he accepted an invite to play in the East-West Shrine Bowl in February in hopes of improving his NFL stock.

Arkansas will return sophomore Jaylen Braxton, who developed into a starter in part because of McGlothern’s injuries and top reserves Kee’yon Stewart and Jaheim Singletary will also be back for the Razorbacks.

How former LSU transfers fared around the country in 2023

Here’s how former LSU players performed at their new homes in 2023.

LSU’s been heavily involved in the transfer portal the last few years, with several players coming and going.

The coaching change in 2021 led to a exodus of quite a few players and LSU lost another chunk in the portal last year.

Some became stars at their new stop, such as cornerback [autotag]Dwight McGlothern[/autotag], who excelled at Arkansas. On the other hand, some guys are still waiting for their chance, despite hoping their new destination would offer that new opportunity.

As the portal cycle gets underway again this year, let’s check on a few of the players who exited LSU in recent years.

Players of the Game: Jefferson, Little headline Arkansas’ best in Hogs win

It’s safe to say Kenny Guiton’s first game as Arkansas’ offensive coordinator was a success.

KJ Jefferson had the game-winning touchdown pass in overtime. Cam Little kicked four field goals.

Arkansas’ quarterback and kicker were, accordingly, easy choices as RazorbacksWire Players of the Game in Arkansas’ 39-36 win over Florida on Saturday. A win, by the way, that snapped a six-game losing streak and gave the program its first-ever victory in Gainesville.

Jefferson and Little were hardly the only players that shined, though. New offensive coordinator Kenny Guiton’s offense was dynamic througout, especially as it had a healthy Rocket Sanders at running back.

On defense, Arkansas has had better games this year, but the defensive backs were especially aggressive, providing a showcase for Dwight McGlothern, Jaylen Braxton and Snaxx Johnson.

In all, we have five Players of the Game, but on a day like Saturday, to say it was a team effort is wholly accurate.

Remember Dwight McGlothern? Arkansas corner is healthy, but lost his job

McGlothern was the best corner on the 131st-ranked pass defense last year. On the 32nd best pass defense, he has to re-earn his job.

Rocket Sanders was a preseason All-American. KJ Jefferson a preseason second-team All-SEC selection. Brady Latham and Beaux Limmer earned all-conference honors back over the summer, too.

But on the Arkansas defense, the questions abounded. Only one player stood out to the league’s most interested parties as an All-SEC type.

Razorbacks cornerback Dwight McGlothern has played in just five games this year and not a single one since September 30 against Texas A&M. He was supposed to be Arkansas’ star defender after picking off four passes last year, albeit on the worst defense in FBS.

Instead, injury took McGlothern out of the fold after A&M. Freshman Jaylen Braxton pounced on his opportunity for playing time and hasn’t looked back. Even now that McGlothern is healthy, coach Sam Pittman said his preseason All-SEC corner has to earn his job back.

“He’s still trying to work his way into playing time. But he was full-go,” Pittman said of McGlothern’s status against Mississippi State. “He was able to play last week. It’s just right now he’s not starting for us.”

Curious that a player with such honors before the season began has reclaim his job after injury…but only for a moment.

McGlothern was the best defensive back on the worst pass defense in the country. Now, Arkansas’ pass defense is the best part of its game (the Hogs are ranked 32nd in FBS this year vs. 131st last year) suggesting perhaps McGlothern need to re-earn that gig after all.

Arkansas’ All-SEC cornerback questionable for Saturday’s game at Ole Miss

Dwight McGlothern is questionable against the Rebels. Defensive end John Morgan III is probable after being carted off against A&M.

Arkansas cornerback Dwight McGlothern has maintained his status as one of the best players on the Razorbacks roster in 2023. When he was lost Saturday against Texas A&M, Arkansas’ chances took a hit with it.

McGlothern was removed from the game against the Aggies early with what coach Sam Pittman called after the game a concussion. As of Monday, Pittman said there’s a possibility McGlothern misses the team’s Week 6 game against Ole Miss, as well.

The junior is in his second season with the Razorbacks after transferring from LSU. McGlothern had 52 tackles with four interceptions, 10 pass break-ups and two forced fumbles last year in earning All-SEC second-team honors. His return and the injection of three starters via the transfer portal have made Arkansas’ pass defense in 2023 miles better than in 2022.

Last year, the Hogs were dead last in FBS in allowing 295 yards a game. Through five games this year, Arkansas is 67th, giving up just 227. McGlothern has nine tackles and two interceptions so far in 2023.

Pittman also said defensive end John Morgan III is probable for the game against Ole Miss. Morgan was carted off the field after what appeared to be an upper-body injury in the second half of Arkansas’ loss to Texas A&M.

Arkansas and Ole Miss are set to kick off at 6 p.m. Saturday night.

WATCH: Dwight McGlothern ruins LSU’s drive with interception

McGlothern played two seasons at LSU before transferring to Arkansas. The pick allowed the Hogs to keep the lead.

LSU was getting yards in chunks on its second series against Arkansas on Saturday.

Until Nudie showed up.

Arkansas cornerback Dwight McGlothern intercepted LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels with 3:06 left in the first quarter to stall the Tigers’ second drive of the game just as LSU was getting into scoring range.

Daniels let it fly to the right about eight yards downfield and McGlothern baited him into a throw for an easy pick. He took the ball back to the LSU 45, setting up Arkansas third drive of the game.

The Razorbacks scored on their previous drive when Cam Little kicked a 23-yard field goal to cap a 51-yard drive that took more than six minutes.

McGlothern played two seasons at LSU before transferring to Arkansas before the start of last season. He led the Razorbacks with four interceptions in 2022. The first-quarter interception Saturday was his second of the year.

Dwight McGlothern heads back to LSU a star after transferring to Arkansas

The man they call Nudie has been excellent since left LSU for Fayetteville.

The two years Dwight McGlothern spent in Baton Rouge were good years. The two years he has spent in Fayetteville have been even better.

McGlothern, the second-year Arkansas cornerback, was good enough in his first year in Fayetteville in 2022, after transferring from LSU, that he earned All-SEC honors with 44 tackles, four interceptions and 10 pass break-ups. He isn’t on the same pace in 2023 – which Arkansas player is? – but Saturday may provide just the chance for a breakout.

Arkansas is headed to Baton Rouge for a 6 p.m. kickoff Saturday in Week 4. The trip back will be McGlothern’s first since he left LSU after his sophomore year. He wasn’t made available for media interviews in the week leading up to the game, but his fellow defensive backs know what’s in his head a bit.

“I’m sure he’s pretty excited,” safety Alfahiym Walcott said. “I mean, Nudie is going to be Nudie at the end of the day. He’s going to ball regardless of whereever it’s at. I’m sure he’s excited, though.”

McGlothern isn’t the only Arkansas defender making a return. Defensive end Landon Jackson has been the Razorbacks’ best lineman this season. He’s also in his second year at Arkansas.

“Nudie, he talks a little bit more than Landon. Landon doesn’t say anything hardly. He doesn’t talk a whole lot,” coach Sam Pittman said. “But I think that they are excited to get back,” Pittman said. “Any time you leave a team, you want to play well against that team. You just do.”

Arkansas at No. 13 LSU: Players to watch on Saturday

Arkansas will try to bounce back from a heart-breaking loss to BYU, while LSU tries to keep rolling for its third straight victory.

Arkansas (2-1) will go into Saturday’s SEC conference opener against LSU in Death Valley as enormous underdogs, having just gotten beat at home by BYU.

But quarterback KJ Jefferson and crew will try to rebound on the road and get the train headed back in the right direction.

No. 13 LSU (2-1) has rebounded impressively with two breezy wins, after a season-opening loss to No. 3 Florida State. The Tigers walloped host Mississippi State 41-14 last Saturday, in their conference opener.

The game will also feature players on both teams, who used to play at the other school. Junior Landon Jackson and Dwight McGlothern jumped ship from LSU to Arkansas prior to last season. Senior Greg Brooks Jr. left the Razorbacks to join the Tigers last season, but Head Coach Brian Kelley has announced that Brooks will not be available for the Arkansas game.

Here are 12 players to watch in Saturday’s showdown:

 

Rocket Sanders to miss second game in a row

Sam Pittman confirmed on Monday that Raheim ‘Rocket’ Sanders would also miss this week’s game against BYU.

Sam Pittman met with the assembled media again on Monday to recap the Kent State game and preview Saturday’s game with BYU.

He also confirmed that Raheim ‘Rocket’ Sanders will miss his second game in a row.

The running game struggled on Saturday against the Golden Flashes without Sanders, but it wasn’t exactly gangbusters with him against Western Carolina either.

It remains to be seen if Sanders will be available for the SEC opener with LSU the following week in Baton Rouge.

Having McGlothern back will help the secondary, especially with BYU having a threat to throw the ball in Pittsburgh (and former USC) transfer Kedon Slovis.