Razorback junior defensive back Greg Brooks Jr. (#9) from Harvey, LA makes an interception against Penn State in the Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL.
Nate Allen
FAYETTEVILLE - Just a day after Arkansas Razorbacks starting safety Joe Foucha entered the transfer portal to play his bonus senior year elsewhere than with the Razorbacks, senior to be starting nickel back Greg Brooks announced Thursday he also is submitting his name in the transfer portal while defensive nose tackle John Ridgeway announced he is foregoing what would have been a 2022 bonus senior season at Arkansas to declare for the NFL draft.
Ridgeway, impacting as a 2021 graduate transfer from Illinois State, was anticipated to turn pro having accepted an invitation to play in the prestigious and NFL run Senior Bowl.
Announcing his decision Thursday on social media, Ridgeway posted his year with the Razorbacks “has been one of the best experiences of my life.:”
Brooks has two years eligibility remaining since all who played in the Covid-disrupted 2020 season have been allowed that season’s eligibility to be restored.
Brooks announced his decision Thursday on Twitter.
Like Foucha, Brooks thanked former Arkansas Coach Chad Morris and former Arkansas defensive backfield coach Ron Cooper for recruiting him to Arkansas and thanked Sam Pittman for whom he played in 2020 and 2021.
Brooks played 34, games, starting 30, in his three Razorbacks seasons.
Five defensive backs, starters Brooks and Foucha and reserves Devin Bush, Nick Turner and Jermaine Hamilton-Jordan have submitted their names in the transfer portal.
Two, junior receiver Treylon Burks last month, and Ridgeway have turned pro with eligibility remaining.
Starting linebacker Bumper Pool has said Friday he will announce his decision whether to return to the Razorbacks as a 2022 bonus senior like fellow first-team linebackers Grant Morgan and Hayden Henry did in 2021, or declare for the NFL draft.
Razorback senior defensive lineman John Ridgeway (#99) from Bloomington. IL rushes the quarterback against Georgia Southern at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, AR.