Congratulations: Former Arkansas football players find NFL teams as free agents
FAYETTEVILLE: After the late-afternoon conclusion of the NFL Draft on Saturday, several undrafted players from the University of Arkansas football team agreed to free-agent deals.
The Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Rams selected place-kicker Cam Little and center Beaux Limmer in the sixth round, respectively, extending the program’s record of having at least one player drafted to 29 years.
On Saturday night, former Arkansas cornerback Dwight McGlothern, who finished the 2017 season with the highest Pro Football Focus grade among SEC corners, agreed to a free-agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings.
In other news, linebacker Antonio Grier reached a contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, defensive end John Morgan III inked a contract with the New England Patriots, and safety Alfahiym Walcott received an invitation to the Buffalo Bills’ training camp on Saturday.
Brady Latham, a four-year starter at offensive guard, signed a free-agent contract with the New York Jets on Sunday.
Along with quarterback KJ Jefferson and tailback Raheim Sanders, Latham—a 47-game starter who was selected to the 2020 SEC All-Freshman team—was chosen as the offensive captain for the previous campaign. All three of them were still eligible when they departed the program.
As of Sunday night, defensive captain Trajan Jeffcoat had not disclosed his plans as a free agent.
Along with the player movement in relation to the NFL, former Arkansas defensive back Lorando “Snaxx” Johnson said on Sunday that his next trip will be a previous stop. Last week, he announced he was going to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Johnson announced on social media that he was returning to Baylor, where he played two seasons while redshirting before moving to Arkansas the previous year.
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Lorando Johnson, a former Baylor wide receiver, returns to Baylor after spending a year in Arkansas.
Johnson tweeted, “I was tripping gang my bad, i’m back tho,” to declare his commitment to Baylor.
Prior to the 2023 season, cornerback Lorando “Snaxx” Johnson transferred to Arkansas from Waco, where he played his first three seasons of NCAA football. The Arkansas transfer and fan favorite Bear, who announced his commitment to Baylor on Sunday, will don the green and gold again after a year.
Johnson (Sr.) will end his career where he began with one year left on his eligibility. Johnson started all 12 games in the secondary during his one and only season with Arkansas, alternating between nickel and cornerback. He recorded career highs in interceptions (1), sacks (1.0), pass break-ups (5), tackles for loss (4.0), and tackles (29).
The cornerback was expected to start for the Razorbacks in 2024 as their depth quickly ran out because Johnson wasn’t the first secondary player from Arkansas to pass through the portal. He now walks into a room full of talented cornerbacks, which already includes Chateau Reed (RJr.), Caden Jenkins (So.), LeVar Thornton Jr. (RFr.), and Tevin Williams III (RJr.). Though the cornerback room appears to be the deepest position on the defensive side of the ball, “Snaxx” should immediately become a playmaker and return to the starting lineup.
Johnson started 13 games and had appearances in seven more while attending Baylor. His total tackles in 2022 were 16, with 1.5 TFLs, one forced fumble, and five pass breakups. The cornerback’s ailments in 2021 prevented him from playing in several games during the midseason. That didn’t stop Johnson from starting the Sugar Bowl game versus Ole Miss, his first collegiate game, and recording a solo tackle.
In 2020, Johnson served as a redshirt during his rookie campaign with the Bears.
Head coach Dave Aranda appears to be making a lot of splashes in the spring window with this incoming transfer. Johnson is expected to perform well, provide key leadership, and have a lot of big play potential. Along with Texas Southern defensive tackle Elinus Noel III and Western Kentucky outside linebacker Jaques Evans, Johnson was one of three visitors to the Waco transfer portal over the weekend.
