FAYETTEVILLE —The spring transfer portal window for football officially opens Tuesday, and some players are already making their plans to enter.
Arkansas quarterback Jacolby Criswell is expected to enter the portal, according to a report from 247Sports.
Criswell will transfer to his third school. The Morrilton native began his career at North Carolina before transferring to Arkansas ahead of the 2023 season. He spent last season as KJ Jefferson’s backup, appearing in games against Western Carolina, Auburn, Florida International and Missouri with 12 completions in 20 pass attempts and 3 passing touchdowns.
Criswell was expected to compete against Boise State transfer Taylen Green for the role of starting quarterback during spring practice, but Green spent all of spring with the first-team offense. Criswell spent most of his time with the third team and later split time with the second team alongside redshirt freshman Malachi Singleton.
In Saturday’s spring game, Criswell was 3-for-8 passing for 33 yards, unofficially, with the second-team offense against the first-team defense.
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Coach Sam Pittman and offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino said late in spring the quarterback battle was more for backup than for starter, with Criswell, Singleton and freshman KJ Jackson all in the mix. With Criswell’s departure, Singleton is the likely backup for Green.
Criswell joins sophomore running back Isaiah Augustave as the first Razorbacks to plan to enter the portal this spring. Augustave announced his plans Saturday, just after Arkansas’ spring game.