Three freshmen who could make impact for Arkansas football in 2025

The Razorbacks are under two weeks away from the start of fall camp ahead of the 2025 season, and while it’s not commonplace for freshmen to get run, there’s a few that stick out that might make some noise.
HawgBeat has already mentioned Warren wide receiver Antonio Jordan, who head coach Sam Pittman singled out during SEC Media Days last week could contribute. But who are the others? We take a look at three who could make an impact for Arkansas football in 2025…
Cam Settles – Running Back
The Arkansas running back room has a two-headed monster in returning sophomore Braylen Russell and New Mexico State transfer Mike Washington, but Cam Settles is one that might make some noise as well.
A three-star prospect out of Parkview in Little Rock, Settles enrolled early and was on campus for spring practice. He’s shifty, not afraid of contact and has good vision for a true freshman who was getting his first look at college football.
He’ll likely start out behind both Russell and Washington, as well as Rodney Hill, but there could be a scenario where he works his way up the depth chart to become a contributor.
Tavion Wallace – Linebacker
Tavion Wallace was one of the crown jewels of Arkansas’ 2025 class, and immediately made his mark during spring practices.
Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 228 pounds, Wallace mostly ran with the second team during spring practice, alongside sophomore linebacker Bradley Shaw.
“I really like Wallace,” Pittman said during spring practice. “Has done some really good things. I think he’ll help us in a lot of ways, but I know he’ll help us on special teams, and that’s how a lot of guys get their start. They get on the field, they make plays and next thing you know, they’re playing on defense.
There’s a good bit of depth at the linebacker spot this year, as the Hogs return Xavian Sorey Jr. and Stephen Dix Jr., but Wallace could be called upon often to help.
Ja’Kayden Ferguson – Wide Receiver
There’s a hole at the wide receiver spot now that wasn’t there in the spring, as Ismael Cisse underwent wrist surgery that Sam Pittman said will likely sideline him all year.
Cisse was in the mix for a starting job in the spring after he transferred in from Stanford. There are several wide receivers that could fill his spot, and one of them could be true freshman Ja’Kayden Ferguson.
The Houston native was a four-star prospect in the class of 2025 and signed with Arkansas during the early period, so he was on campus for spring practice. He had several eye-popping plays and looked comfortable out there on the field.
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More HawgBeat Football Coverage
– Antonio Jordan is ‘the next one’ in Warren’s long WR lineage
– Xavian Sorey Jr. taking leadership role in final season at Arkansas
– ‘Mature’ freshman Cam Settles could play role for Hogs in 2025
– Taylen Green building chemistry with new-look offense in 2025