Arkansas adds Oregon transfer defensive lineman Xadavien Sims

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — If you’re keeping count, the Hogs must’ve crossed their fingers, found a lucky rabbit foot, and drawn up transfer portal names out of a hat this winter.

On Friday, Arkansas added another piece to its ever-growing defensive front: Oregon transfer defensive lineman Xadavien Sims.

Sims, a 6-foot-3, 305-pound interior big man, announced he’d be heading south to join the Arkansas Razorbacks after spending his freshman season with the Ducks.

He’s listed as the 38th player to commit to the Razorbacks out of the transfer portal. That’s not a typo. Thirty-eight. And no, we’re not sure there’s room on the depth chart for all of them.

“I’m ready to compete,” Sims said in the announcement on Friday. That may be the understatement of the offseason.

After all, he logged one tackle in two games this past season and was mostly a reserve in Eugene. But hey — sometimes it’s what you bring to Fayetteville that counts.

From Big Ten recruiting hype to SEC opportunity

Sims originally signed with Oregon as a four-star prospect in the 2024 class, ranked No. 245 overall by the industry pundits and near the top of his position nationally.

On3’s recruiting gurus pegged him as one of the better defensive linemen coming out of high school.

Arkansas was on that list, along with Miami, Michigan, Missouri, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Vanderbilt. So this wasn’t a random sack of potatoes.

Of course, the Razorbacks had to outmaneuver someone for his services. Turns out, the lure of Bentonville BBQ and the mystique of the SEC was enough to beat out some pretty decent names.

Or maybe it was the weather. You tell me.

“Three years of eligibility remaining,” the release added, like it was the line that’ll win national championships.

If you’re keeping track, that means this isn’t some one-and-done swoop. The Hogs are expecting some rubber to meet the road here.

Whether Sims ends up a difference-maker or another deep-reserve rotational plug, only time — and lots of sweat in heat drills — will tell.

Arkansas continues heavy use of transfer portal

This latest chapter continues what has to be the most animated transfer portal saga in Fayetteville since someone found a way to get three quarterbacks on the roster at once.

Sims joins a long list of portal pickups — a list so long it’s probably got its own zip code by now.

Here are a few Hogs you might’ve forgotten already (but the coaching staff sure hasn’t):

Linebackers, quarterbacks, defensive backs, offensive linemen. You name it, Arkansas has it from the portal this cycle.

Some are projected starters, some are projected “let’s see what happens,” and some are projected to make you wonder how many practices it really takes to remember a new name.

If you’re an SEC rival, this is either terrifying — or downright hilarious. Arkansas seems to be building a roster that could play Division I football around here somewhere.

It’s just not clear which version yet.

But hey, with Sims’ size and experience, maybe this rotation won’t just be circular logic after all. Maybe the Hogs actually get push up front next fall.

Stranger things have happened in Fayetteville

Arkansas football transfer portal signees

Quarterback

• Memphis quarterback A.J. Hill
• Angelo State quarterback Braeden Fuller
• Clemson quarterback Cade Trotter

Running back

• Memphis running back Sutton Smith
• Michigan running back Jasper Parker

Wide receiver

• Memphis wide receiver Jamari Hawkins
• New Mexico State wide receiver Donovan Faupel
• Boise State wide receiver Chris Marshall
• LSU wide receiver Jelani Watkins

Tight end

• Memphis tight end Matt Adcock
• Boston College tight end Ty Lockwood

Offensive line

• Memphis offensive lineman Malachi Breland
• Oregon State offensive lineman Adam Hawkes
• Memphis offensive lineman Josiah Clemons
• Louisiana offensive lineman Bryant Williams
• Ouachita Baptist offensive lineman Terence Roberson Jr.
• West Virginia OL Ayden Bussell

Defensive line

• USC defensive lineman Carlon Jones
• Virginia defensive lineman Hunter Osborne
• Auburn EDGE Jamonta Waller
• Kentucky EDGE Steven Soles
• Oregon DL Xadavien Sims

Linebacker

• Howard linebacker Ja’Quavion Smith
• North Carolina linebacker Khmori House
• Baylor linebacker Phoenix Jackson
• Baylor linebacker Jeremy Evans
• West Virginia linebacker Ben Bogle

Defensive back

• Cincinnati defensive back Christian Harrison
• Tulane defensive back Jahiem Johnson
• Clemson cornerback Shelton Lewis
• Georgia State defensive back Tyler Scott
• Maryland defensive back La’Khi Roland
• Maryland defensive Back Braydon Lee
• Memphis defensive back Ian Williams
• Colorado defensive back Carter Stoutmire
• West Georgia defensive back Kyeaure Magloire
• Middle Tennessee defensive back John Howse IV
• Iowa State defensive back LaMarcus Hicks

Specialist

• Tennessee kicker Max Gilbert
• Georgia State kicker Braeden McAlister
• Sacramento State long snapper Adam Johnston