The Arkansas Razorbacks have begun making moves in the transfer portal, securing key commitments to bolster their roster. On Tuesday, wide receiver JJ Hester announced via X (formerly Twitter) that he would be transferring to the Razorbacks, adding much-needed size to the receiving corps. Hester, who previously spent three seasons at Oklahoma, is the third former Sooner wide receiver to enter the portal this week.
Hester’s transfer marks his second time entering the portal, having initially transferred from Missouri to Oklahoma before the 2022 season. A highly-touted four-star recruit out of Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Hester was the highest-rated prospect in Mizzou’s 2020 class.
While Hester had a productive redshirt freshman season at Missouri, his role at Oklahoma grew significantly in 2023. As a redshirt senior, he caught 14 passes for 315 yards and a touchdown—leading all OU wide receivers in receiving yards this season.
After missing most of the 2022 season due to injury, Hester will have one year of eligibility remaining as he joins the Razorbacks, bringing experience and size to a team in need of both.
Hester is the third Oklahoma receiver to enter the transfer portal since it officially opened on Monday, following Jaquaize Pettaway and Nic Anderson. Both Hester and Anderson stand at 6-foot-4, offering rare height for Oklahoma’s receiver group, which will now have just one receiver taller than 6-foot-1: Jayden Gibson at 6-foot-5. With a thin receiving corps plagued by injuries this season, the Sooners are expected to dip into the portal for more talent at the position, particularly players with the physical attributes to contribute on the outside.
Stay tuned as Arkansas continues to strengthen its roster with more key additions from the portal.
