How LSU transfers fared at their new schools in Week 1

From Arik Gilbert to Eli Ricks, here’s how former Tigers fared in Week 1.

LSU was busy in the transfer portal this offseason.

Much of that was because it lost quite a few guys, too. Throughout the coaching transition, there was a steady trickle of players leaving. That’s just how it goes when a new coach takes over.

Some of the losses hurt more than others, like [autotag]Eli Ricks[/autotag] and [autotag]Dwight McGlothern[/autotag]. There were some hits that LSU should have no trouble absorbing, like the loss of [autotag]Trey Palmer[/autotag], who left a crowded wide receiver room.

Not all of these transfers are from this cycle. There are guys like [autotag]Chris Curry[/autotag], now with Utah, who saw a steady dose of action on Saturday. Let’s take a look at how some former LSU players fared in their new uniforms.

How is Arkansas Football replacing their biggest losses from last season?

Arkansas football has high expectations for 2022, but what area will they need to address the most heading into the season?

Arkansas Football is one of the teams that everyone is looking forward to watching in 2022. There is plenty of excitement surrounding the return of KJ Jefferson at the quarterback position, as well as the stable of running backs and the potential of the transfer wide receivers such as [autotag]Jadon Haselwood[/autotag].

But, that seems to be where the focus is, on offense. How does Arkansas look defensively heading into the new season? That seems to be a burning question.

Tom VanHaaren of ESPN wrote a piece called “How college football’s way-too-early top 25 teams are replacing their biggest losses“, with Arkansas’ defense being the biggest question.

Arkansas, which ranks No. 20 in the way-too-early top 25 from ESPN, will be looking to replace eight key defenders including [autotag]Grant Morgan[/autotag], [autotag]Hayden Henry[/autotag], and [autotag]Tre Williams,[/autotag] as well as Joe Foucha and Greg Brooks Jr. who left Arkansas for LSU via the transfer portal.

Despite the losses, Arkansas reloaded by bringing in talent from the transfer portal, and that is where they can begin filling holes says VanHaaren.

On the defensive line, the Arkansas coaches signed LSU defensive end transfer [autotag]Landon Jackson[/autotag], who was the No. 78 prospect in the 2021 class. Georgia Tech transfer [autotag]Jordan Domineck[/autotag] will also help Jackson in the pass rush. In the secondary, the staff landed LSU corner transfer [autotag]Dwight McGlothern[/autotag] and Georgia safety [autotag]Latavious Brini[/autotag].

The Razorbacks also have to replace three members of the backfield, but have players to step up, such as Simeon Blair, Jalen Catalon, and Keuan Parker, who all have playing experience.

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Arkansas D-line on the rise: these players will make a difference in 2022

Arkansas defensive line lost a lot from 2021, but these players should step into the fold nicely.

Sacks haven’t been a significant statistic for Arkansas football in a long time.

The Razorbacks have shown they can win without having a dynamic pass rush as a unit, even if they have had individual players who can rack up the numbers. McTelvin Agim, Armon Watts and Jeremiah Ledbetter were all those kind of players even during the down years of Arkansas football.

Heading into the 2022 season, though, there is reason to think the entire front seven (or six, as the Hogs more often play) can beat some of the team totals of recent years. Arkansas hasn’t finished higher than eighth in the SEC in sacks since 2013.

“The difference I see in our line is the explosion off the ball and that we are moving the line of scrimmage backward a lot of the time in our pass rush games,” Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said. “We’re attacking the tackles more on the edge and making them move their feet. I think Deke has done a really good job and the kids have gotten close to his teaching and things he’s done.”

The Deke that Pittman mentioned is first-year defensive line coach Deke Adams, whose new approach suggests that Arkansas’ new-look front could turn heads.

The Hogs lost three starters up front in defensive tackle John Ridgeway, tackle/end Markell Utsey and end Tre Williams. These are the players Arkansas will rely on to replace them in the fall.DE

Arkansas Football named one of College Football’s “Most Exciting Teams” ahead of 2022 season

It seems that the national media is picking up what Arkansas fans already know… the Hogs are fun again.

We now take a break from the myriad of mock drafts to bring you something that most Arkansas fans already know… Arkansas Razorbacks football is fun again.

Although Razorback fans saw that firsthand after witnessing the first nine-plus win season since 2011, it is always exciting to see that the national media also sees the buzz surrounding Arkansas football.

Brad Crawford of 247sports recently put out a piece titled “College football’s most boring, entertaining teams ahead of 2022 season”, and Arkansas has made the list as the No. 3 most exciting team for the upcoming season.

Arkansas joins fellow SEC squads Alabama and Georgia, as well as Ohio State and Arizona State on the list. What will make Arkansas football so entertaining in 2022? Crawford explains:

The Razorbacks play an exciting brand of football under Sam Pittman and led the SEC in rushing last season. KJ Jefferson came into his own during his first full season as the Razorbacks’ starting quarterback with 2,676 yards and 21 scores through the air. Nine-win Arkansas was extremely entertaining since a quarter of its games were decided by a touchdown or less, including a 52-51 nail-biting loss to Ole Miss in October and a narrow setback at Alabama later.

The Razorbacks have also succeeded in landing talent from the Transfer Portal. Joining Haselwood are [autotag]Drew Sanders[/autotag] from Alabama, [autotag]Latavious Brini[/autotag] from Georgia, [autotag]Jordan Dominek[/autotag] from Georgia Tech, and [autotag]Landon Jackson[/autotag] from LSU.

Landon Jackson’s transfer destination revealed

Former 2021 LSU signee finds his new home.

Recently 2021 signee Landon Jackson announced that he would enter his name into the transfer portal. With the regular season over and a new regime taking over in Baton Rouge, it isn’t uncommon to see players leave.

Coming out of Pleasant Grove in Texarkana, Jackson was ranked as one of the top 125 recruits in the nation. He was ranked No. 19 in Texas and No. 8 at his position. He was likely to be heavily coveted by plenty of teams. However, it was the Arkansas Razorbacks that landed him according to his Twitter account.

Jackson is the second transfer to commit to play for head coach Sam Pittman. Recently they added former Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Jadon Haselwood. It appears that Arkansas is loading up to try and make another run at the SEC West. They looked like a team to contend with early on in the season but faltered down the stretch.

When LSU and Arkansas meet in 2022, it will interesting to see if Jackson finds a way to impact that game in Fayetteville.

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Former LSU DL Jackson commits to Razorbacks

Landon Jackson committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks on Sunday.

Landon Jackson, a 4-star defensive end from Texarkana, Texas and most recently a LSU Tiger, decided to make his next destination announcement on Sunday.

LSU hired Brian Kelly to replace the fired Ed Orgeron and a number of players have elected to transfer in the wake of that decision.

Jackson was a star at Pleasant Grove High School in Texarkana, winning two 4A Division II state championship titles during his prep career.

He was the No. 8 edge rusher in the nation and a top 125 recruit in the class of 2021.

Texas Recruiting: 2021 four-star defensive end commits to LSU

Top Texas target in the 2021 recruiting class commits to LSU over the Longhorns.

The Texas Longhorns were hoping to continue their momentum from the 2020 recruiting class into 2021. After securing the commitment of Alfred Collins, many thought maybe it might continue with another Texas defensive end product. Landon Jackson of Pleasant Grove was another one of those players who could help rebuild the Longhorns defense. The only problem is that Jackson chose another school over Texas.

The nation’s third ranked weakside defensive end will now play for the defending National Champions in Baton Rouge. This was a big blow to the Longhorns recruiting hopes. Jackson was viewed as a guy who could be the next great pass rusher to come out of Austin. Something they have been missing for quite some time. Hopefully with the current group that are committed to Texas, one of them are that guy.

 

Bleacher Report’s Top 25 2021 Recruits: Texas Targets

Bleacher Report has come out with their top 25 recruits of the 2021 class. The Texas Longhorns have six targets among the list.

Bleacher Report college football writer Tyler Brooke has come out with his list of the top 25 recruits in the 2021 class. There are more than a few names on the list that have offers from Texas.

24. Atiye Hall, Wide Receiver, IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL)

MG Academy produces elite athletes across a number of different sports, and Agiye Hall is no different. At 6’3″ and 190 pounds, Hall is listed as the No. 1 receiver in the country with 43 FBS offers already on the table. His commitment is scheduled for March 14. Alabama, Arizona State, Clemson and LSU are among those in on him.

Hall has an offer from the University of Texas but teams listed in the post have the inside track on his commitment in 2021.

21. Troy Franklin, Wide Receiver, Menlo-Atherton (Menlo Park, CA)

An explosive playmaker that plays in all three phases of the game, Troy Franklin will be a big-time wide receiver in college. His wiry 6’2″, 170-pound frame still has plenty of room left to grow into, and his potential is through the roof. Alabama’s Jeff Banks and Oregon’s Jim Mastro are already hard at work trying to lure Franklin to their respective programs.

While Alabama, Oregon, Tennessee and Utah are among his top offers, the Texas Longhorns are right there in the mix for the five-star wide receiver who is ranked the number one receiver of the class. Composite rankings have him as number two receiver in the country and 23rd overall.

13. Landon Jackson, Weakside Defensive End, Pleasant Grove (TX)

At 6’6″ and 240 pounds, it’s not surprising to anyone that Landon Jackson already has 27 FBS offers. The Texas native is such a prized recruit that even Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has been personally involved in his recruitment. Jackson is putting up video-game numbers in high school, and there’s a whole season left for him to generate even more buzz

The Texas product has a wealth of offers on the table including from the Longhorns. 247 has him at 67 percent to the Aggies. It would be a great get for Texas if they can flip him to Austin. Jackson has yet to commit to a program early on in the cycle, but his 36.5 sacks in three seasons shows the level of disruption that he can create. He is rated the number one WDE in the nation.

10. Savion Byrd, Offensive Tackle, Duncanville (TX)

As 6’5″ and 265 pounds, Texas’ Savion Byrd has plenty of room to grow and already looks like one of the top offensive tackle prospects in the country. He hasn’t committed anywhere yet, but in-state schools like Texas and SMU have a strong chance to bring him in.

The defending National Champions in LSU are among the top teams in pursuit of the state’s second-best offensive tackle recruit. Byrd was tasked with protecting Texas’ signee Ja’Quinden Jackson and he could be doing that in the future. He is projected to sign with the Longhorns in 2021.

8. Tony Grimes, Cornerback, Princess Anne (Virginia Beach, VA)

Is there a chance an in-state school can snag the No. 1 recruit in Virginia? Top-ranked cornerback Tony Grimes is already drawing interest from the likes of Alabama, Clemson and Georgia thanks to his lengthy frame and smooth play at cornerback. It’ll be tough for Virginia or Virginia Tech to pull it off, but it would be a huge win for either program.

Grimes has received an offer from the Texas Longhorns but it seems like the number one rated cornerback in the country might be out of reach. He is likely to sign with Virginia Tech with the Aggies also in the running.

2. Tommy Brockermeyer, Offensive Tackle, All Saints Episcopal (Ft Worth, TX)

Being the top offensive tackle in the country is a huge honor for any recruit. For Brockermeyer, that’s the expectation given his family. Tommy’s father, Blake Brockermeyer, was an offensive tackle in the NFL and for the Texas Longhorns. His brother Luke is a linebacker with the Longhorns. It’s no guarantee that Brockermeyer follows his family’s footsteps because he’ll have a lot of top-tier schools heavily recruiting him over the coming year.

While the Longhorns do have the inside track on Brockermeyer, it doesn’t feel like it is a foregone conclusion. However with his broker Luke already in Austin, that could bode well. Another note is that Tommy’s twin brother James is the third-rated center in the country and is likely to join Luke in Austin.