“Ha ha” to this headline, which implies that we at Howlraiser have inside knowledge to how Butch Jones and his staff intend to use the fresh group of transfer athletes who have most recently pledged their allegiance to Arkansas State’s success. Full disclosure: we know nothing. But we’re heading into June and you demand penetrating content. We hear you.

At least sixteen athletes have portaled to Jonesboro during the off season, which sounds like many but not really. Marshall, for instance, has lured 28 vagabonds to Huntington. James Madison, a victim of departing coach decimation, has added 23, and Texas State, a program that has embraced the portal wholeheartedly, has invited 20 new faces to San Marcos. Wildly in this day in age, Louisiana has only removed four players from the Portal. For those of you who keep score, Arkansas State ranks 5th in transfer recruiting.

Each Red Wolves transfer addition bears a distinct level of unique fascination. For example, former four-star quarterback Malik Hornsby is being relied on to provide size and speed – at wide receiver. Receivers are a bit of a transfer speciality for Jones, who has also acquired Hunter Summers (formerly of Tulsa) and Reginald Harden Jr. (formerly of Benedict College) for roles. There’s no reason why all of these guys can’t provide a significant contribution. But who’s positioned to deliver the most punch?

Reginald Harden Jr., 6’5″ 200-pound Wide Receiver, Benedict College

Harden only acquired 17 receptions last season for the Tigers, but he made the most of them, averaging 25 yards a catch and finding the end zone four times. Harden’s big, 6’5″ frame provides the height starting QB Jaylon Raynor didn’t have last year, and judging by how much he was used during this year’s Spring Game, it is evident that the newcomer has graduated to becoming a favorite target.

EJ Ndoma-Ogar, 6’3″ 335-pound Offensive Lineman, Missouri

Originally signed by Oklahoma, Ndoma-Ogar as a prospect was rated the #9 offensive guard in the country by ESPN, and #13 by 247Sports. He hasn’t received a great deal of playing time, but with early injuries to the Red Wolves offensive line, Ndoma-Ogar has a window to make his beefy presence known.

Kamari Stephens, 6’3″ 250-pound Defensive Lineman, Jacksonville State

Bryan Whitehead out of Liberty may be just as impactful this year, but Stephens is the slightly larger of the two incoming defensive ends. He’s also a First Team All-SWAC in 2022 with Florida A&M with 10 sacks and 13 tackles for loss. At Jacksonville State, he was more a reserve player used for the pass rush – which Arkansas State could certainly use, especially with Keyron Crawford leaving A-State for Auburn.

Jordan Mahoney, 6’0″ 180-pound Cornerback, University of Massachusetts

Once an out-of-conference foe who played toe-to-toe against Raiders signee Jeff Foreman last year, Mahoney switched allegiance to Arkansas State over the off season to become an instant starter at corner. Mahoney only played in 8 games last season thanks to an injury sustained in last year’s game against the Red Wolves. But he’s a phenomenal player nonetheless, recording 42 tackles, 3.0 TFL, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, three interceptions and six pass breakups during the 2022 season.

Timmy McClain, 6’1″ 196-pound Quarterback, Central Florida

With Raynor as the starter and Josh Flowers as the future, the Red Wolves QB room looked a bit sparse with only projected WR Hornsby serving as depth. Butch Jones patched this hole with veteran QB Timmy McClain who threw for 1,000 yards and nine TDs in limited action last season. McClain will not only had a well-practiced hand to the huddle, he’ll be a compelling back-up should Raynor’s full-bodied style of quaterbacking results in some missed playing time.

PHOTO CREDIT: ME