Former Nick Saban recruit, DT Hunter Osborne commits to Arkansas football

5 days ago 2

FAYETTEVILLE — A former four-star recruit who began his college career with Nick Saban is joining Arkansas football out of the transfer portal.

Defensive lineman Hunter Osborne committed to the Razorbacks on Tuesday, Jan. 6, according to a report from On3Sports. Osborne spent the 2025 season at Virginia, where he recorded 15 tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack.

At 6-foot-4 and 301 pounds, Osborne primarily played along the interior of the Cavaliers' defensive line, and he figures to have a similar role with the Hogs. The 247Sports Composite rated Osborne as the No. 183 player overall and the No. 19 defensive lineman when he was coming out of Hewitt-Trussville High School (Ala.) in 2023.

Osborne was a Saban recruit who redshirted in his first collegiate season. He stayed with the Crimson Tide and played in four games during the 2024 campaign before transferring to Virginia.

What does Hunter Osborne's addition mean for Arkansas football's defensive line?

Osborne is the second defensive lineman to commit to Silverfield on Tuesday, following Southern California's Carlon Jones, who was also a four-star recruit coming out of high school.

Osborne will likely be an anchor against the run. His stats at Virginia aren't eye-popping, but the Cavaliers' ranked 23rd nationally in rushing yards allowed with Osborne playing a key role.

With both players on board, Silverfield is starting to build the foundation of his defensive line. Both players could be starters in 2026, but more depth and talent are needed. There's been plenty of attrition at the position, with defensive end Quincy Rhodes representing the only returning defensive lineman who played meaningful snaps in 2025.

Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at jfuller@usatodayco.com or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Former Nick Saban recruit Hunter Osborne commits to Arkansas football

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