Arkansas defensive lineman releases highlight video as he enters transfer portal

Arkansas defensive lineman Julius Coates has confirmed his entry into the transfer portal and made the rare move of also releasing a highlight video on social media.

“I have officially entered the Transfer Portal! Thank you to The University of Arkansas for blessing me with the opportunity to represent their program!,” he wrote on Twitter.

As a junior with the Razorbacks in 2020, Coates made 18 tackles, including three for loss, and forced one fumble in seven games. His best game might have been a season-high six tackles with a tackle for loss in the win over Tennessee. But he also made three tackles, all solo, with a sack, a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry at Missouri.

Coates was a 3-star JUCO recruit from Scooba (Miss.) East Mississippi Community College where he was the 247Sports Composite‘s No. 85 overall prospect and No. 12 strong-side defensive end for his class of 2020. Colorado, Nebraska and Oregon were among other Power 5 programs recruiting him.

The 6-foot-6, 289-pounder is originally from Rockford, Illinois (Guilford). Coates has showed off his athleticism as a basketball player in high school, and a tight end in junior college.

I have officially entered the Transfer Portal!
Thank you to The University of Arkansas for blessing me with the opportunity to represent their program! pic.twitter.com/oPmdO9tNgS

— Julius Coates (@_JuliusCoates3) February 5, 2021

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.