FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas added four more football recruits from the transfer portal on Monday including three from the University of Memphis.
Ryan Silverfield and his staff added quarterback Antwann "AJ" Hill, 6-4, 215; wide receiver Jamari Hawkins, 5-11, 178; and running back Sutton Smith, 5-9, 185, from Memphis. The Hogs also added Howard linebacker Ja'Quavion Smith, 6-1, 227. The Memphis trio visited Arkansas Saturday and Sunday. The linebacker was at Arkansas Monday.
Hill is the highest-rated recruit to ever sign with Memphis. He was a four-star recruit who chose Memphis in the Class of 2025 over Alabama, Georgia and others. He talked about why he chose the Razorbacks.
“Just the coaching staff, knowing the playbook already, and just the city,” Hill said. “The fan base, SEC platform, really just being able to be known every week.”
As a freshman, Hill completed 19 of 32 passes for 223 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Hill was impressed with his visit to Fayetteville.
"The visit, everything stood out to me," Hill said. "Seeing the city of Fayetteville, seeing the stadium, the facilities. It's an SEC school so the facilities are good, coaching staff, and I know them like the back of my hand, so they were just amazing. I like the city of Fayetteville."
Hawkins was the second-leading wide receiver at Memphis last season. Hawkins caught 38 passes 623 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed three times for 14 yards. He talked about why he committed to Hogs.
"Definitely the fan base, that would be a big thing," Hawkins said. "And obviously I know the guys, the coaches and stuff now. But the fan base was insane. Having a January game and not having a lot of students but still having a sold-out crowd. That's something that's not -- not important to me, but it's nice to have. Something a little different than we had at Memphis."
Hawkins also enjoyed everything about the visit.
"It was definitely fun," Hawkins said. "I enjoyed everything and the campus was super pretty. It wasn't what I was expecting, I was expecting a lot more like country, kind of like an Ole Miss-type vibe. But nah, Fayetteville is very nice. Definitely, definitely exceeded my expectations."
Sutton Smith, 5-9, 185, was the leading rusher for the Tigers this past season. He carried 102 times for 669 yards and seven touchdowns. He caught 20 passes for 109 yards.
Smith's 64-yard touchdown run with 4:51 remaining against Arkansas helped lead the Tigers to a 32-31 win on Sept. 20. For the game, Smith rushed 12 times for 147 yards to lead all rushers.
Smith played high school football at Powder Springs (Ga.) George Watson.
Ja'Quavion Smith, 6-1, 227, had a strong sophomore season in 2025. He had 49 tackles, 26 solo, 11 for loss, 4.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 1 recovered, 2 quarterback hurries, 4 pass breakups and blocked a kick.
Smith played high school football at Wingate (N.C) Forest Hills.
Arkansas continues to host recruits daily trying to restock the talent.
Arkansas' Signings
Antonio Sandel-Bascomb, DT, 6-3, 305, Coffeyville CC, Kan.
Braeden McAlister, K, 5-11. 185, Georgia State
Christian Harrison, S, 6-1, 180, Cincinnati
Adam Johnston, LS, 6-0, 215, California State Sacramento
Malachi Breland, OG, 6-5, 340, Memphis
Max Gilbert, K, 6-0, 200, Tennessee
Jamari Hawkins, WR, 5-11, 178, Memphis
Ja'Quavion Smith, LB, 6-1. 227, Howard University
Antwann "AJ" Hill, QB, 6-4. 215. Memphis
Sutton Smith, RB, 5-9, 185, Memphis
