The Razorbacks don’t often have more than ten to fifteen NFL prospects in a given season. However, the additional COVID year has complicated matters for all schools in terms of roster construction at this time. It’s hardly what anyone expected to see a brand-new freshman mingling with guys in their sixth and seventh year of eligibility.
Arguably, a significant portion of Arkansas’s NFL prospects are positioned on the defensive line in 2019. Last year, Mel Kiper ranked Landon Jackson as the top defensive end prospect for the 2023 season, making him one of the greatest prospects.
Jackson returns to Arkansas with unfinished business which is likely a bad taste in his mouth after a 4-8 season. NIL is a huge reason a lot of borderline prospects or players with leverage come back to school instead of taking a chance for a NFL roster spot.
Transfer FCS Albany Given his All-American performance from the previous season, Anton Juncaj is another clear-cut pro candidate for 2025. The SEC, which has served as the NFL’s minor league playground since 2006, is open to players who record 20 or more tackles for loss and 15 sacks in a single season.
Eric Gregory, a senior in his sixth year at Arkansas, hasn’t exactly had that breakthrough year despite being reliable throughout his career. Gregory has accumulated 93 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks in five seasons.
At 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds, fourth-year junior Cam Ball possesses the build most NFL teams wish for in a run-stuffing defensive lineman. With more than 60 stops, four tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks during the last two seasons, he has been a mainstay in the Arkansas starting lineup.
Keivie Rose, a former Conference USA all-league selection, has one more season left to secure a position in the draft the following year. The 6-3, 301-pound defensive tackle, who finished 2023 with 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, has a chance to improve and secure a solid job this season.
Deke Adams was given the opportunity to turn the room around when he was hired as defensive line coach at Arkansas. His ability to recruit and develop players at multiple stops afforded him the opportunity to do the same for the Razorbacks.
Adams has seen his unit be productive over his first two seasons in Fayetteville with near-record numbers in tackles for loss and sacks. He hasn’t seen many of his highly productive players become NFL prospects yet as a few either transferred out or saw their eligibility expire.
Ja’Quinden Jackson, a running back transfer from Utah, is another player thought to get drafted in the NFL. His gruff sprinting style brings back memories of bygone eras. Jackson has the ability to catch passes out of the backfield, even if the Utes did not use him in this fashion.
The annual Shrine Bowl’s director of operations, Eric Galko, is likewise quite impressed with Arkansas’ senior class.
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