Former Alabama linebacker Drew Sanders is transferring to Arkansas.
Sanders, 6-5, 244 pounds, entered the NCAA transfer portal Jan. 11, one day after the Crimson Tide lost to Georgia in the championship game of the College Football Playoff. He started three games in two seasons and had 33 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1 sack.
He will have three seasons of eligibility remaining at Arkansas.
Sanders signed with Alabama over Oklahoma, LSU, Georgia, Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State and other programs out of Denton Ryan High School in Texas. ESPN rated him a 4-star prospect, the No. 4 athlete and No. 36 overall prospect in the nation in the 2020 class.
He was selected to the Under Armour All-America Game as a high school senior.
Sanders visited Arkansas on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning. He visited Oklahoma Thursday afternoon and Texas on Friday.
Linebackers coach Michael Scherer led the effort to get Sanders to Arkansas. Sanders was spotted on campus on Sunday. He has signed with the Hogs and is expected to start classes Tuesday.
Sanders’ best game at Alabama came in a 31-29 victory over Florida in September 2021 when he recorded 6 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and 1 quarterback hurry.
The Razorbacks will lose two of their top linebackers from the 2021 roster, Grant Morgan and Hayden Henry, while linebacker Bumper Pool recently announced he plans to return for his fifth season.
Sanders joins former LSU defensive end Landon Jackson and former Oklahoma receiver Jadon Haselwood as transfers to the Arkansas program this offseason.
The Hogs hosted former Tulsa defensive tackle Jaxon Player and former LSU cornerback Dwight McGlothern for official visits this weekend.