Arkansas quarterback Malik Hornsby makes huge transfer portal decision

Arkansas quarterback Malik Hornsby has withdrawn his name from the transfer portal, On3’s Matt Zenitz reported. Hornsby will return to the Razorbacks in 2022, where he will likely remain a backup to KJ Jefferson.

Hornsby was a member of the Razorbacks 2020 recruiting class, coming in as a four-star recruit out of Texas. He was the No. 12 quarterback in his class according to On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He chose Arkansas over offers from Alabama, Oregon, Texas and others.

The quarterback saw action in seven games this past season as a backup. He finished the year with 46 yards passing, 136 yards rushing and one touchdown on the ground. The Razorbacks finished with a 9-4 record, their best since 2011. They also won their first bowl game since 2015, taking out Penn State in the Outback Bowl.

Hornsby appeared in just one game as a true freshman in 2020 against Auburn. He helped lead Missouri City (TX) High School to an appearance in the 5A state title game in 2018.

With Malik Hornsby withdrawing his name from the transfer portal, Arkansas has more depth at quarterback going forward. The Razorbacks did not sign a quarterback in their 2022 recruiting class, which ranks 20th in the country.

Hornsby joined Arkansas in the midst of a resurgence for the program. When coach Sam Pittman took over in 2020, the Razorbacks were in the midst of the worst conference losing streak in school history. It grew as high as 20 games before it was broken against Mississippi State in just the second game of that season. It was the first of three games they would win against an All-SEC schedule.

The Razorbacks continued to make progress in 2021, finishing third in the SEC West behind Alabama and Ole Miss. Arkansas opens its 2022 season against the Cincinnati Bearcats on Sept. 3.