Arkansas has a chance at a historic season at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. With a 7-game homestand and a few tough road games to navigate through, they will certainly need a few guys to shine and be superstars.

Offensive MVP: KJ Jefferson

The Razorbacks’ key to a 9-win regular season rests on the shoulders of the 4th-year quarterback.

Defensive MVP: Bumper Pool

With a name like this, you know the man is a baller. Arkansas desperately needs a guy at the 2nd level of the defense to make a statement during a crucial game. Pool is so close to the school record for career tackles that it just seems right to award it to him.

Transfer of the Year: Dwight McGlothern

I love how Barry Odom coaches the safeties and defensive backs. This offseason, Arkansas hired one of the top young assistant coaches in the country in Dominique Bowman, who preaches technique and playing hard, sound football with each snap. McGlothern was once a 5-star, according to a few recruiting services, and he committed to LSU, although the Razorbacks recruited him heavily.

Many national pundits have their eye on Drew Sanders, the linebacker from Alabama, as a candidate to be the biggest impact transfer this season, but don’t forget about McGlothern. At LSU last season, he played in 10 games and registered 32 tackles, 6 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble and 1 interception for a touchdown.

Superstar of the Season: Rocket Sanders

When a player wears No. 5 on his jersey, he’d better be able to back it up, and Sanders will do that. Last season, the true freshman finished with 114 carries for 578 yards and 5 touchdowns. Sanders was also the first Razorback to be named to the SEC All-Freshman team since 2015.

With Dominique Johnson gone during the spring, Sanders was able to get the majority of the 1st-team snaps available.

Breakout Star: Ketron Jackson Jr.

Jackson is definitely a guy to watch out for to succeed the great Treylon Burks. He has the size (6-2, 209 pounds), and he’s an outstanding track athlete who competed in the long jump, the triple jump and the 4×200 relay.

Jackson showed big-play potential by averaging 19.4 yards per catch as a freshman in 2021.

Most likely to win an ESPY: Jalen Catalon

The superstar of the Razorbacks’ secondary could be an all-time great at Arkansas. No, he won’t lead the team in tackles this season. Nor will he lead the Hogs in interceptions. But what he does give them is all heart on every single defensive snap. Catalon is a human highlight reel who is not afraid to lay the smackdown over the middle. If there were an award for comeback college player of the year, Catalon would likely be up for it. The senior-to-be middle safety returns from a shoulder injury last fall that required season-ending surgery.

If there’s one thing about Sam Pittman, he is easy to root for. So are his players, which leads us to the next superlative.

Most likable player on team

A little-known kicker out of Moore (Okla.), Cameron Little came to Arkansas to compete for the starting kicker duties, which he won quite easily. When NIL was announced, Little came up with an idea that with every made field goal, he would post $10 out of his pocket to donate to DSCNWA, a group for Down Syndrome awareness.

Little made 18 field goals last season and also encouraged Razorbacks fans to get in on the fun. According to KNWA in Fayetteville, Ark., Little helped raise nearly $2,000 by the end of November. This act alone should make him the most likable player on the team. Selfless acts of kindness will do that.