Four days ago, I quoted Michael Corleone from The Godfather III in the lede of a column about Braylen Russell entering the transfer portal for a second time:
“Just when I thought I was out…they pull me back in.”
Fortunately, that quip still works in the context of the most recent development in the most mind-numbing transfer saga you’ll ever see – so I’m using it again.
Arkansas running back Braylen Russell announced Saturday afternoon that he was withdrawing his name from the transfer portal a second time. Take a deep breath first, because ensuing is a recap of the true freshman’s postseason rollercoaster.
On December 10, Russell was apparently entering the portal, but then he wasn’t, but then he was, but then he withdrew a few hours later. On December 15, he re-entered the transfer portal. But that lasted less than a week, as he’s apparently back with the Razorbacks now – presumably for good? Who knows at this point.
But as of sunset on Saturday, December 21, 2024, the year of our Lord, Russell is an Arkansas Razorback.
Hog fans were quick to react to the latest spin on this particular what-in-the-hell-go-round, with some simply laughing at the silliness of the transfer portal being taken to its most extreme. Others, however, were up in arms about Russell trying to jump back on the boat – just look at the replies to this post.
While it’s hard to be upset about such a talented in-state player returning to the Hogs, his constant waffling in the last few weeks has caused many fans to run out of patience with Russell – and you can’t blame them for that. So…should Arkansas welcome back the rising sophomore?
Why Pittman Should Have Told Braylen Russell to Kick Rocks
The argument for why Russell shouldn’t have been allowed back in the door is pretty simple. How can you trust someone who’s made it very clear he’s not all-in on the program? Especially when he took a visit to arch-rival Ole Miss this week. The constant in-and-out in the portal also stinks of Russell seeking out the highest bidder in the transfer portal – with a rumored sum of half a million dollars. The grass isn’t always greener, but sometimes the cash is.
It’s like if you found out your girlfriend had downloaded a dating app, but then she suddenly wants you back after she didn’t find any matches. Former Razorback defensive back Snaxx Johnson also pointed out the fishy timeline of Russell’s saga.
“Going on a visit then withdrawing is crazy work B Russ,” he tweeted. “Naw brudda.”
It’s also just a bad look for Arkansas football coach Sam Pittman, who now appears to be getting put through the wringer by Russell’s indecisiveness – and that comes after the Head Hog got played by Patrick Kutas backing out of a handshake deal and transferring to Ole Miss.
The common theme of 2024 (and the scapegoat of 2023) was team chemistry in the locker room and improved camaraderie on the roster. Pittman taking back a player who’s acted like Russell has in the last few weeks seems to be a step in the other direction.
In the past, the Head Hog took a hardline approach on not welcoming back players who had entered the transfer portal. Pittman’s updated that in more recent years, allowing some players to come back – as long as they hadn’t missed any team activities while they were gone. Examples of that include wide receiver Bryce Stephens and cornerback Selman Bridges earlier this month. Pittman also took a hard-line approach with tight ends Var’keyes Gumms and Ty Washington, dismissing both from the team when he felt they weren’t entirely committed to the program.
Russell is a break from this policy, as the freshman missed some of the team’s preparation for the Liberty Bowl during his second stint in the transfer portal. He’s also unique in the fact that he doubled back on his original heel turn by re-entering the portal. The theme from Pittman’s tenure has been that he wants players who want to play for the Razorbacks and represent Arkansas – but welcoming Russell back into the fold is a clear departure from that mantra.
Former Arkansas running back Rakeem Boyd certainly thinks Russell shouldn’t be allowed back, and that’s coming from a guy who sat out most of his last season to prepare for the NFL Draft – which many interpreted as him quitting on the team.
This is nothing new for Russell, who played for multiple high schools, committed to Arkansas, decommitted and recommitted before eventually signing with the Hogs. Then there’s his most recent waffling – in just his first college offseason, no less. Who’s to say this whole debacle won’t go down again a year from now?
There’s plenty of other talented running backs in the transfer portal – including some that Arkansas hosted for visits. So why does Pittman have to let Russell back into the program? The answer is that beggars can’t be choosers, and Arkansas isn’t in the best place to bargain right now.
Why Arkansas Football Needs Braylen Russell
The simple answer is that the Hogs are kind of desperate right now. If Russell ended up leaving, Arkansas would have returned just 8% of its rushing production from tailbacks heading into next season.
Rashod Dubinion and Ja’Quinden Jackson are both hitting the exit gates, and neither Rodney Hill nor Tyrell Reed Jr. are expected to lead the running back room. New Mexico State transfer Mike Washington will help with depth, but he ran for less than 800 yards in the Mountain West this year – hardly the production you’d expect from an SEC bellcow back.
Also, a lot of the most promising tailbacks the Hogs were after have committed elsewhere. Texas State’s Ismail Mahdi is off to Arizona and New Mexico’s Eli Sanders is headed to USC. With most of the best options off the board and almost no production returning for 2025, that left Pittman between a rock and a hard place.
Welcome Russell back into the building, and you risk it looking like the inmates are running the asylum. Don’t take him back, and you miss out on a talented in-state kid who can undoubtedly lead your running game next season. There really wasn’t a good option.
So Pittman and Arkansas fans will have to embrace the Benton product again, even after his wavering loyalty was aired out for all to see.
Russell is reportedly practicing with the team on Sunday, and you have to wonder how his teammates will look at No. 0 after this saga.
While many folks will be hesitant to trust Russell again, this Razorback fan on Twitter had a humorous idea for the freshman back to prove his loyalty to Arkansas again:
With Arkansas having to resort to starting walk-ons and true freshmen at wide receiver for the Liberty Bowl, 40 carries for Russell isn’t out of the question next week.
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Inside Arkansas reacts to the Braylen Russell news:
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More coverage of Arkansas football and the transfer portal from BoAS:
