What backup quarterback Malik Hornsby's transfer means for Arkansas football

Christina Long, Fort Smith Times Record
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FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas football backup quarterback Malik Hornsby will enter the transfer portal, he announced via Twitter on Monday.

The portal officially opens Dec. 5. Hornsby is the third Arkansas player this month to announce he will leave for another school, joining running back James Jointer and defensive back Myles Slusher.

The redshirt sophomore started one game for Arkansas this season and appeared in eight. His first career start came against LSU in Week 11 when starter KJ Jefferson was out with a shoulder injury. He played until midway through the third quarter, when he was benched in favor of walk-on transfer Cade Fortin.

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Hornsby’s best performance came in Week 6 against Mississippi State. Fortin started that game in place of Jefferson, who had a concussion. Hornsby replaced a struggling Fortin in the first quarter. He threw for 234 yards and one touchdown, and ran for 114 yards in the loss.

Hornsby has been in the portal before. He put his name in after the Outback Bowl last season, but after one week, he decided to remain at Arkansas. Coach Sam Pittman told him he would have to take reps at wide receiver if he wanted to return to the Razorbacks.

Arkansas experimented with packages involving Hornsby out wide early in the season. After his impressive performance against Mississippi State, however, Pittman said Hornsby would remain at quarterback.

A native of Missouri City, Texas, Hornsby was a four-star prospect in the class of 2020. He was rated the No. 5 dual-threat quarterback in his class by 247Sports.

What Hornsby's transfer means for Arkansas football

The Razorbacks are now in serious trouble as far as quarterback depth is concerned. Jefferson is not yet eligible for the NFL Draft and should be back next season unless he decides to transfer as well. Fortin could technically return as a sixth-year senior.

Beyond that, Arkansas has freshman walk-on Rykar Acebo and injured redshirt sophomore Kade Renfro, who re-tore the ACL in his left knee in October.

The Razorbacks did not sign a quarterback in their 2022 recruiting class, but they have one committed in the class of 2023: four-star Malachi Singleton out of Georgia. He'll need time to develop before he can be expected to have an impact.

Arkansas might be shopping for a quarterback out of the portal this offseason. It doesn't need someone who can try to take Jefferson's starting job. It does, however, need a reliable backup in case Jefferson's health is an issue, as it was this season.

Christina Long covers the Arkansas Razorbacks for the Southwest Times Record and USA TODAY Network. You can follow her on Twitter @christinalong00 or email her at clong@swtimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas football backup QB Malik Hornsby to enter transfer portal