Arkansas coach Ryan Silverfield said he keeps an open door for players who want to discuss returning next season, with three regular-season games remaining. Arkansas Razorbacks On SI identified eight players as Arkansas football roster retention priorities for 2027. The group includes Cam Settles, Khmori House and Antonio Sandel-Bascomb.
Silverfield said he wants those conversations to stay separate from the immediate task. He said there are plenty of players on the current roster the staff wants to keep beyond this season. The message applies while Arkansas prepares for its final three regular-season games.
The retention question covers players with different roles. Settles is in the offensive group, House is in the defensive group and Sandel-Bascomb has the highest Pro Football Focus grade on defense. Each is part of the eight-player projection.
Key Takeaways
- Joker Johnson recorded 42 tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception return for a touchdown after transferring from Tulane.
- Cam Settles has 71 carries for 314 yards and two touchdowns, plus 16 receptions for 74 yards.
- Antonio Sandel-Bascomb holds an 87.2 Pro Football Focus grade, the highest mark on Arkansas’ defense.
Arkansas Football Roster Retention Begins With Silverfield Conversations
Silverfield said he keeps an open door for players who want to discuss their future. He said the staff has identified plenty of current Razorbacks it wants to keep. Those talks can happen while the team finishes the regular season.
Arkansas has three regular-season games remaining. Silverfield said the focus remains on those games. The staff’s retention work runs alongside that stretch.
Arkansas Razorbacks On SI’s eight-player projection lists young contributors the staff could keep. Settles, House and Sandel-Bascomb are among the names tied to that group. Their production gives Arkansas a foundation for 2027.
Cam Settles and AJ Jordan Lead the Offensive Retention Case
Settles has 71 carries for 314 yards and two touchdowns. He also has 16 receptions for 74 yards. The sophomore from Little Rock is one of the offensive players in the retention projection.
Silverfield said the staff wants to add speed to Settles’ game. He also wants more speed in the backfield overall. That need shapes the offensive retention plan.
AJ Jordan has 16 receptions for 228 yards and a touchdown. His targets increased after Chris Marshall was injured against Vanderbilt. Jordan’s production gives Arkansas another young receiver in the projection.
Khmori House Headlines the Defensive Core
House, a junior in the hybrid STAR role, ranks third on the team with 55 tackles. He leads Arkansas with six tackles for loss, two sacks and three pass deflections. Defensive coordinator Ron Roberts said in the offseason that House has the intangibles to become an All-American at the position.
Joker Johnson has 42 tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception return for a touchdown. He transferred from Tulane and has one season of eligibility remaining. His return is conditional on him not leaving for the NFL after his senior year.
Sandel-Bascomb, a junior college transfer from Coffeyville Community College, has 13 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble across 122 snaps. Pro Football Focus grades him at 87.2, the highest mark on Arkansas’ defense and nearly 10 points above defensive back Shelton Lewis.
Beale, Arkansas’ highest-rated signee in the 2026 class, has five tackles, one tackle for loss and a pass deflection. He earned additional snaps through his practice performance.
Arkansas Defensive Retention Production by Player
| Player | Tackles | Tackles for loss | Sacks | Pass deflections | Forced fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khmori House | 55 | 6 | 2 | 3 | — |
| Joker Johnson | 42 | 2 | — | — | — |
| Carlon Jones | 17 | 1.5 | — | — | — |
| Antonio Sandel-Bascomb | 13 | 0.5 | — | — | 1 |
| Tay Lockett | 9 | — | — | — | — |
| Danny Beale | 5 | 1 | — | 1 | — |
Tay Lockett was the longest-standing commitment in Arkansas’ 2026 class. Carlon Jones transferred from USC. Both are part of the defensive retention picture.
