Arkansas announces plans to honor Darren McFadden’s No. 5 jersey
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Arkansas is honoring legendary Razorback Darren McFadden in 2025. The program announced Tuesday that players wearing No. 5 will sport a special patch with McFadden’s initials and a silhouette.
McFadden began his Arkansas career in 2005. Head coach Sam Pittman and athletic director Hunter Yurachek told McFadden of the special plans for 2025 on a video call.
The legendary Darren McFadden will have his jersey number honored with a jersey patch on No. 5 beginning this season.
— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) July 29, 2025
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Senior defensive tackle Cam Ball, a preseason All-SEC selection, and freshman wide receiver Ja’Kayden Ferguson are set to wear No. 5 this fall.
Since 2005, our entire state has associated the No. 5 with Darren McFadden,” Yurachek said in a program release. “Our fans’ memories of watching No. 5 race down the sideline, run through an SEC secondary or him ‘bringing dat wood’ will never be forgotten. By creating this patch and putting it on the jerseys of our current players wearing No. 5, everyone who watches the Arkansas Razorbacks will be reminded of Darren’s greatness. His legacy lives on at the University of Arkansas and this patch will serve as proof of that legacy every time we take the field.
McFadden’s jersey will hang alongside retired numbers of Clyde Scott (No. 12) and Brandon Burlsworth (No. 77) in Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The program has planned a special ceremony for Oct. 18 when the Razorbacks host Texas A&M.
From 2005-07, McFadden rushed for 4,590 yards and 41 touchdowns. His awards and honors SEC Freshman of the Year, back-to-back Doak Walker Awards, SEC Offensive Player of the Year, Walter Camp Player of the Year and a unanimous All-American. McFadden finished as the Heisman Trophy runner-up in back-to-back seasons.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
