FAYETTEVILLE – The NCAA transfer portal has been a hot topic in college sports for the last several months, and few have utilized the new system more than Chad Morris and the Arkansas football program.
On Monday, the Razorbacks landed their fourth incoming transfer by way of University of Texas-San Antonio kicker Jared Sackett, who made an unofficial visit in Fayetteville last weekend. Sackett, 6-1, 180, isn’t a graduate-transfer, meaning he will be forced to sit out the 2019 season before becoming eligible to play again in 2020.
He announced his decision to leave UTSA via Twitter on Monday afternoon.
“After many conversations with family, mentors, and God, I would like to announce that it is time for me to begin a new journey and move on from UTSA,” Sackett said. “It’s been an incredible ride and I would first like to thank not only the UTSA football coaches, but the entire football support team, past and present, who helped me become the player that I am today.
“… I am extremely excited and proud to announce that I am committing to the University of Arkansas. I want to thank Coach DaPrato, Coach Morris, as well and the entire U of A football staff for welcoming me into the Razorback family.”
Sackett’s announcement is timely news for an Arkansas program that will be looking for a solid kicker again following the departure of current starter Connor Limpert, who is entering his final season on the Hill. Limpert is one of the SEC’s top five returning field goal kickers this year after making 19 of 24 attempts last fall.
Sackett, who will have three years to play two seasons beginning in 2020, has also been one of the top kickers in Conference USA over the last two seasons. He was an all-conference selection and a Lou Groza Award semi-finalist as a freshman after making 19 of 22 field goal attempts and 23 of 24 extra point tries.
Sackett’s sophomore campaign of 2018 wasn’t as impressive, but still solid as he was true on 14 of 19 field goal tries and all 18 of his extra point attempts.
UTSA head coach Frank Wilson spoke about Sackett’s departure following a spring practice earlier this week.
“Several weeks ago he entered the portal with intentions on seeing what was out there. He received some interest and wanted to go see those schools during our practice time, so he made a decision that it was something he wanted to do,” Wilson said. “We certainly understood that. He had a great career here, starting with his freshman season. We wish him all the very best.”
Sackett is Arkansas’ fourth incoming transfer since the beginning of the year, joining former SMU quarterback Ben Hicks, former Texas A&M quarterback Nick Starkel, and former Arizona State running back Trelon Smith.
Hicks, a senior, enrolled at the UA in January and has been running with the first group throughout spring drills, which concludes with a Red-White spring game on Saturday. He’s a senior grad-transfer who has one season of immediate eligibility remaining.
Starkel, who is finishing up a few classes at Texas A&M before enrolling this summer, will enter the program as a junior with two years of eligibility remaining. He will be visiting Fayetteville again for the spring game this weekend.
Smith, who announced his transfer from Arizona State last month, has to sit out a year in accordance with the NCAA’s transfer rules since he hasn’t yet graduated.
He and Sackett plan to enroll for the first semester of the summer.