The Arkansas Razorbacks’ second consecutive Sweet 16 exit has officially given way to what could be a pivotal offseason under John Calipari. With the NCAA transfer portal now open as of April 7, the 15-day window gives Fayetteville very little time to waste in reshaping next year’s roster.
The movement has already started on both sides of the ledger, and the names involved will have a direct impact on whether Arkansas can finally push past the regional semifinals in 2026-27. Here is a full breakdown of who is leaving and who Calipari is pursuing.
Who Is Leaving Arkansas This Year?
Karter Knox and DJ Wagner are the two Razorbacks who have announced plans to enter the transfer portal, making them the first major departures of the offseason.
Knox, a sophomore forward, had a season that did not quite live up to the expectations that came with his recruitment. He averaged 8.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, though his year was cut short after undergoing meniscus surgery that kept him out of the final month of the season.
The handling of that injury was reportedly a sore spot for Knox, adding more context to his decision to move on. He is the second player from Calipari’s first high school recruiting class at Arkansas to enter the portal, joining Boogie Fland, who transferred to Florida last offseason.
Wagner’s departure is a bit more surprising given the family ties at play. The junior guard followed Calipari from Kentucky to Arkansas, and his father, Dajuan Wagner, played for Calipari at Memphis. Despite that deep connection, Wagner opted to seek a bigger role elsewhere.
He averaged 7.4 points and 2.4 assists this season, both career lows, in part because he was asked to play off-ball while freshman Darius Acuff ran the offense. Wagner still has one year of eligibility remaining.
Beyond the portal decisions, Arkansas is also bracing for additional roster losses at the top end.
Acuff, the SEC Player and Freshman of the Year, is widely expected to declare for the NBA Draft after averaging 23.5 points per game. Meleek Thomas, who averaged 15.6 points, is also a possible draft candidate, though his decision is less certain. Should both of those players depart, the Razorbacks would be losing their top two scorers from a team that reached the Sweet 16 for the second straight season before falling to Arizona 109-88.
Malique Ewin’s situation adds another layer of uncertainty to the frontcourt. The veteran center needs an eligibility waiver approved in order to return next season, and no such waiver has been granted yet. There is currently no timetable for a decision on that front.
The players who are expected to return include wing Billy Richmond and freshman Isaiah Sealy. Arkansas is also set to welcome three incoming freshmen in JJ Andrews, Jordan Smith Jr., and Abdou Toure, giving Calipari a foundation to build around in the backcourt and on the wing heading into next season.
On the recruiting side, the Razorbacks are moving quickly. Their top priority in the portal is Georgia center Somtochukwu Cyril, a 6-foot-11 sophomore who led the SEC in blocks per game at 2.2 and averaged 9.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks this season.
The message from inside the program is clear. This offseason is being viewed as the moment Arkansas takes the next step under Calipari. The funds are in place, the blueprint is set, and with only a 15-day portal window available, the urgency to execute could not be higher.
