Hogs send experienced trio to represent Arkansas at Media Days

SEC Media Days always tells you something about how a coach sees his roster, and Ryan Silverfield’s first group as Arkansas’ head man is no exception.

The Hogs are sending running back Sutton Smith, center Caden Kitler and edge Quincy Rhodes Jr. to Tampa for the four-day event, with Silverfield stepping up to the podium on the closing day next Thursday.

Smith is the name that jumps out first since he didn’t play a snap in Fayetteville last season.

He arrives after four years running behind Silverfield’s offense at Memphis, where the two built a relationship that carried over once Silverfield took the Arkansas job.

Smith rushed for 669 yards and seven scores on 102 carries a year ago and caught 20 passes for 109 yards.

He’s also sitting on the preseason watch list for the Doak Walker Award, college football’s honor for the nation’s best running back.

Rhodes brings the defensive resume

No player in this group has a stronger case on paper than Rhodes.

The North Little Rock native turned in a second-team All-SEC season in 2025, finishing with 44 total tackles and a team-best 15.5 tackles for loss.

He added eight sacks, six quarterback hurries and a forced fumble across his 11 starts.

Arkansas hasn’t seen a defender post that many tackles for loss since Trey Flowers matched the number in 2015.

Rhodes is just the second Razorback since 2023 to reach double digits in that category, following Landon Jackson’s 13.5 that year.

It’s the kind of production that makes him an easy pick to speak for the defense.

Kitler anchored a much-improved offensive line

Kitler’s path to Arkansas ran through UCF before he settled in at center and started 11 of 12 games last season.

His presence up front helped the offensive line cut sacks allowed down to just 29 on the year, the program’s lowest total since 2019’s mark of 19.

That protection also fed a run game that ranked second in the SEC at 191.9 yards per game.

This trip marks Kitler’s final chance to represent Arkansas at Media Days since he’s playing out his last season of eligibility.

Between his blocking résumé and Rhodes’ pass-rush numbers, Silverfield’s group gives reporters plenty to dig into once the cameras start rolling in Tampa.

Key takeaways

• Sutton Smith reunites with Silverfield after four seasons together at Memphis
• Rhodes’ 15.5 tackles for loss are Arkansas’ best mark since 2015
• Kitler helped the Hogs post their fewest sacks allowed since 2019