Arkansas defensive end Landon Jackson was named a second-team All-SEC player earlier in the week.

So when he announced he would return to the Razorbacks for a third year in Fayetteville for 2024, the news was the biggest Arkansas probably could have received on the personnel front.

Jackson, who led the team with 6 1/2 sacks and was top-fivLandon Jackson’s return to Arkansas promising for Hogs portal successe in the SEC in tackles for-loss with 13 1/2, remains the best NFL prospect on the roster. Not only does Arkansas get his hibility to terrorize opposing backfields for another season, the Razorbacks also receive the boon of his early announcement.

Jackson’s return sends a signal, in the heart of transfer portal season, that he believes in what Arkansas is doing in 2024. The portal is often filled with players who will only play one or two more years of college football. If they believe in Jackson’s return, too, then the Razorbacks could only climb on their interest list.

The flip side is, of course, Arkansas has lost several players, including a star – though only a couple of regular contributors – via the portal. Accordingly, Jackson’s announcement was a much-needed boost for the roster.

Arkansas went 4-8 during the fall in its worst season of the four Sam Pittman has coached.