Nate Allen

FAYETTEVILLE - Originally a 2018  junior college transfer, defensive end Dorian Gerald will spend four years at the University of  and the  Arkansas Razorbacks declaring he will return for the extra football year granted by the NCAA to 2020 seniors because of  the season’s covid-19 disruptions, postponements and cancellations.

“See y’all in 2021,” Gerald posted  on his Twitter account Tuesday evening with a WPS signifying Woo, Pig, Sooie.

A native of Florence, S.C. Gerald transferred to former Coach Chad Morris’ Razorbacks in 2018 after starring two years at College of the Canyons Junior College.

Gerald played eight games for the 2-10 Hogs in 2018, starting the last two. He  made 21 tackles, eight solo, with 2.5 TFL for 13 yards, broke up two passes and was credited with two quarterback hurries.

Gerald started the  2019 season opener against Eastern Illinois and suffered a serious and rare injury, a bruised neck artery.

The season-ending injury enabled Gerald to be granted a hardship second senior year for new Coach Sam Pittman’s Razorbacks in 2020.

Injuries again dogged Gerald in 2020.  He his health allowed him to play six games for the 3-7 Hogs making five tackles, one for lost yardage, and was credited with a quarterback hurry.

Gerald becomes the Razorbacks’ seventh senior announcing his return.

Previously linebacker Grant Morgan, offensive tackle Myron Cunningham, offensive guard Ty Clary,  tight end Blake Kern, running back T.J. Hammonds and receiver De’Vion Warren announced they would return as 2020 seniors to be seniors again in 2021.

Gerald and the Razorbacks were to play in Thursday night’s Texas Bowl game in Houston against TCU until learning Tuesday afternoon the game has been canceled because too many TCU players tested covid-19 positive or were too closely contact traced with others afflicted by covid.