Arkansas edge rusher Mataio Soli enters transfer portal

Arkansas Razorback and former four-star edge rusher Mataio Soli has entered the transfer portal, On3’s Matt Zenitz has confirmed. The Georgia-native was a top-300 prospect in the Class of 2019.

In three seasons in Fayetteville, Soli compiled 30 total tackles and 0.5 sacks in a limited role with the team. His most impressive season was his freshman year with 9 solo tackles. Soli chose the Razorbacks over the likes of Alabama, Oregon, Clemson and Auburn coming out of Douglas County High School in Douglasville, Georgia.

The 6-foot-4, 235-pound senior will have two seasons of eligibility remaining one he finds a new school thanks to the NCAA’s blanket waiver policy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Soli, who currently has a NIL Valuation of $24,000, will look to improve his stock at another major Division I school in 2022 and beyond once he can find consistent playing time.

Sam Pittman discusses how Arkansas has built roster to compete in SEC

Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman has made it pretty clear how he is going to rebuild his roster — by adding size at every single position. Taking over the program from Chad Morris, Pittman, a former offensive line coach, wants to build a big, strong team to compete within the SEC.

Pittman was asked about the progress he thinks Arkansas is making on adding that size heading into his third year in Fayetteville. He started on the offensive side of the ball, going position by position and naming places where he thinks they are doing a good job. He even mentioned how KJ Jefferson may be the biggest quarterback in the conference.

“We’ve been pretty good on offensive line as far as getting some size,” Pittman said. “The backs that we have seem to be a pretty good size. Our quarterback, probably the biggest one in the SEC. I like long receivers. You look out there with two in Warren (Thompson) and (Jadon) Haselwood. Maalik, when he’s out there, there’s been some big, tall receivers. 

Pittman then moved over to the defensive, specifically talking about two players they got through the transfer portal. Former Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Drew Sandersand LSU Tigers edge rusher Landon Jackson were highlighted by the head coach as good additions that bring size.

“We went into the portal and we tried to build in that aspect as well. You know, Drew Sanders is a big linebacker and Landon Jackson, even though I don’t know if y’all have been able to see him but he’s a big man too as a defensive end. (Latavious) Brini is a big nickel, big safety.”