The 2021 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by second-year head coach Sam Pittman, the Razorbacks compiled an overall record of 9–4 with a mark of 4–4 in conference play, placing in a three-way tie for third in the SEC's Western Division. Arkansas was invited to the Outback Bowl, where the Razorbacks defeated Penn State. The team played home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The team played six home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas and one home game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas.
The win over Penn State was Arkansas' first bowl game victory on New Year's Day since beating the Texas Longhorns in the 2000 Cotton Bowl Classic. The bowl win was also Arkansas' first over a Big Ten Conference opponent. Arkansas' victory over Texas on September 11 was the Razorbacks first win over the Longhorns in Fayetteville since 1981. For the first time in program history, the Razorbacks won all three rivalry trophy games in the same season, beating Texas A&M in Arlington, Texas for the Southwest Classic Trophy, LSU to win the Golden Boot, and Missouri to win the Battle Line Trophy. Arkansas also ended losing streaks of nine games versus Texas A&M, five games versus LSU, and five games versus Missouri.
Schedule The Razorbacks' 2021 schedule was released on January 27, 2021, and consisted of seven home games, four away games, and one neutral site game in the regular season.
Rankings
Preseason SEC Media Days The 2021 SEC Media Days were held July 19–22, 2021, at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham – The Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover, Alabama. The preseason polls were released on July 23, 2021. Arkansas placed sixth in the West Division in the preseason media poll, and five Arkansas players were selected to the all-SEC media teams.
Preseason all-SEC teams
Offense
1st team
Treylon Burks – WR
2nd team
Ricky Stromberg – C
3rd team
Myron Cunningham – OL
Defense
2nd team
Grant Morgan – LB
Jalen Catalon – DB
Game summaries Rice
No. 15 Texas
Georgia Southern
Vs. No. 7 Texas A&M
At No. 2 Georgia
At No. 17 Ole Miss
Auburn
Arkansas–Pine Bluff
No. 17 Mississippi State
At LSU
At No. 2 Alabama
Missouri
Vs. Penn State—Outback Bowl
Outback Bowl MVP – Arkansas QB K. J. Jefferson
Personnel Coaching staff Arkansas Razorbacks coaches Sam Pittman Head coach 2nd Kendal Briles Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach2nd Barry Odom Defensive coordinator/Safeties coach 2nd Scott Fountain Assistant head coach/Special teams coordinator 2nd Dowell Loggains Tight ends coach 1st Cody Kennedy Offensive line coach 1st Kenny Guiton Wide receivers coach1st Jimmy Smith Running backs coach 2nd Michael Scherer Linebackers coach 1st Jermial Ashley Defensive line coach 1st Sam Carter Cornerbacks coach 2nd Jamil Walker Strength and conditioning coach 2ndReference:
Roster
Recruits Arkansas signed 22 recruits for the 2021 class, 21 from high school and one from junior college.
Transfers Arkansas signed six players from the transfer portal for the 2021 class.
QBKade RenfroStephenville, TexasRedshirt freshmanOle MissOLTy'Kieast CrawfordCarthage, TexasSophomoreCharlotteCBTrent GordonManvel, TexasJuniorPenn StateDLJohn Ridgeway IIIBloomington, IllinoisSeniorIllinois StateDLMarkell UtseyLittle Rock, ArkansasSeniorMissouriDETre WilliamsColumbia, MissouriSeniorMissouri
Awards and honors WR Treylon Burks – AP and Coaches 1st Team All-SEC
CB Montaric Brown – Coaches 1st Team All-SEC
LB Bumper Pool – AP and Coaches 2nd Team All-SEC
C Ricky Stromberg – AP 2nd Team All-SEC
RB Raheim Sanders – SEC All-Freshman Team
PK Cam Little – SEC All-Freshman Team; Freshman All-American
LB Grant Morgan – 2021 Burlsworth Trophy winner
P/H Reid Bauer – 2021 Peter Mortell Holder of the Year Award winner
QB KJ Jefferson – Outback Bowl MVP
HC Sam Pittman – AFCA Region 2 Coach of the Year
Statistics Team Scores by quarter
Players drafted in the NFL Arkansas had three players selected in the 2022 NFL draft.
1 18 Treylon Burks WR Tennessee Titans 5 178 John Ridgeway III DT Dallas Cowboys 7 222 Montaric Brown CB Jacksonville Jaguars
References