Justus Boone is 'Florida's loss', Arkansas' gain on the edge
The Arkansas football team will have two new starting pass-rushers terrorizing quarterbacks this 2025 season, and one of them may be former Florida transfer Justus Boone.
A 6-foot-4, 278-pound redshirt senior out of Sumter, South Carolina, Boone totaled 10 tackles, two tackles for loss (TFL), 0.5 sacks and a defended pass in 11 games for the Gators during his 2024 campaign. That production was good enough for a 68.4 defensive grade, per Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Defensive line coach Deke Adams said he used a personal connection to get in contact with Boone in the transfer portal.
“I saw (Boone) in the portal, watched his film,” Adams said Thursday. “Liked some of the things he did. We knew we were losing some d-ends and needed some kids that could hold the point and be good run-stoppers and also rush the passer. A guy that really coached him, was a quality control guy at his previous school, I know personally.
“I reached out to him. Asked to tell me about this kid, what kind of kid is he? I got nothing but praise about who he is and the way he works. And man, he’s been living up to that since the day he stepped on campus.”
Boone was unable to play in 2023 because of an ACL injury, but appeared in 13 games in 2022 and racked up 24 total tackles, a tackle for loss and sack. He earned a career-high 73.2 PFF defensive grade across 282 snaps, as a result.
The biggest question for Boone is how he continues to progress since his injury. Can he re-obtain his 2022 status? It’s not easy for any athlete, let alone a big-bodied edge-rusher who relies on explosion off the line of scrimmage, to fully bounceback from an ACL tear.
“I just felt like I could move but I wasn’t 100% last year,” Boone said Thursday. “Was battling through it still, learning to trust it, trust my process and the work I put into it. I feel pretty good, I feel pretty good.”
However, Boone’s play in fall camp seems to paint a picture of revitalization for the once four-star prospect. He’s seemingly brought an A-grade attitude with him, as well.
“Just coming in being the new guy, taking on a role that’s new to me,” Boone said. “New area, new people. I just wanted everybody to accept me and watch me work, know that I wasn’t coming in feeling entitled or anything. I wanted to work for everything I got here.”
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Boone’s fall camp emergence
Heading into fall camp, Boone wasn’t out of the picture to earn a starting spot, but he wasn’t necessarily the favorite, either. He’s been seen starting more consistently with the first-team group in fastball periods in recent practices. His SEC experience likely has something to do with that.
“(Boone has) played in this league before at his previous school,” Adams said Thursday. “He does a really good job, he’s a physical kid. He works really, really hard and he understands whatever his limitations are. (Boone) works through them, but he plays hard, works hard and he’s a great kid as well…I’m happy with him.”
There’s no debate that returning veteran defensive tackle Cam Ball is a headliner for the Razorbacks’ defensive line group. The preseason All-SEC Third-Teamer had high praise for Boone.
“Man, Boone is my dog,” Ball said Thursday. “Just the experience overall, you can tell that he has from playing in this conference. This is a step-down from the NFL, this is one of the best conferences. You can see his passion day-in and day-out for the game, the Xs and Os.
“Sometimes he coaches me on things, sometimes I coach him on things. He’s just overall a great player, a physical player. Florida’s loss. We got him and I’m glad we do. I love playing beside this guy right here.”
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Boone’s thoughts on Arkansas’ pass-rush
Following the loss of star edge-rusher Landon Jackson to the NFL, Arkansas’ pass-rush will have to rely on unproven and unfamiliar faces to get to the quarterback. Boone said he believes the line’s connection is what takes them over the top.
“We (take) a lot of pride in transitioning and getting to the quarterback,” Boone said. “Being able to play off each other. I think that’s one of the best things that’s going to be beneficial to us, that we all have a great connection. We’ve all rushed with each other for the spring and fall. We all know what we’re capable of, so we’re able to adapt off each other and make those plays.”
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