Redshirt freshman quarterback Malik Hornsby plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, according to his Twitter account. He is the latest Razorback to explore his options in the portal, joining Greg Brooks Jr., Joe Foucha, Josh Oglesby, Solomon Wright, Vito Calvaruso, Andy Boykin, Darin Turner, JT Towers, Jermaine Hamilton-Jordan, Kendall Catalon, Nick Turner, Matthew Phillips, Devin Bushand Ray Curry Jr.
Hornsby appeared in seven games during the 2021 season while serving as the team’s primary backup quarterback. He completed 5-12 passes for 46 yards and ran for 136 yards in 24 rushing attempts. Hornsby scored his first career touchdown on a 6-yard run against Georgia Southern in Week 3.
Hornsby, 6-2, 175, came to Arkansas as a four-star recruit. The Missouri City (Texas) native was the No. 201 overall player in the 247Sports Composite rankings. He was the No. 8 dual-threat quarterback in the class and the No. 30 overall prospect in the state of Texas. He chose the Razorbacks over an offer list that included Alabama, Georgia, Texas A&M, Texas, Auburn, Florida State and several others.
Hornsby has always been known for his speed, and the Razorback coaching staff even considered creating a package in the offense centered around his skill set. Here’s what Charles Power of 247Sports had to say about Hornsby as a prospect.
“Thinner signal-caller who should add substantial weight and muscle to his frame once he gets in a college strength and conditioning program. A track athlete with verified top-end speed. Has yet to transfer that athleticism into a combine setting. Missed a handful of games to begin his junior season due to a transfer appeal, but hit the ground running. Ultimately led his team to consecutive Texas 5A D-II state title appearances. Presents a dynamic run threat as the triggerman to an explosive spread offense. Owns a strong arm with the ability to stretch the field vertically. At his most dangerous when allowed to present defenses with run-pass conflict via the RPO game or on broken plays. Capable of pulling away from defenses once he breaks free. Undeveloped as a passer in terms of mechanical consistency and situational awareness. Could stand to tighten up his throwing motion. While still raw as a passer, he has immense upside. Projects as a Power 5 starter with the ultimate upside of becoming a NFL Draft pick with steady development.”
Here’s more on Hornsby’s career and background, courtesy of the team’s official website.
2020 (FRESHMAN): Appeared in one game against Auburn (Oct. 10) … Rushed twice in a goal-to-go situation for -1 yard.
HIGH SCHOOL: Four-star prospect by 247Sports and ESPN … Rated as the No. 5 dual-threat quarterback in the country and 14th overall player in the state of Texas by 247Sports … Slotted at No. 228 in ESPN’s Top 300 … Two-year varsity letterwinner at Fort Bend Marshall High School in Missouri City, Texas … Threw for 2,279 yards on 115-of-201 passing as a senior in 2019 … Threw for 29 touchdowns and rushed for 17, carrying the ball 130 times for 1,587 yards on the ground … Helped the Buffalos to a 14-2 overall record in his final year of prep ball, falling by three points in a high-scoring Class 5A state championship game at the end of the 2019 campaign … Selected to play in the 2020 U.S. Army All-American Bowl … Tallied 1,969 passing yards on a 75-for-128 clip as a junior, connecting on 23 TDs through the air … Carried the ball 81 times for 772 yards and 13 scores as part of a 15-1 record, ending the year in the 2018 Texas High School Football 5A title game … Went 25-3 as the starting quarterback over his two years at the helm of the Buffalo offense, amassing over 5,000 yards of total offense with only four interceptions, two in each season … CHOSE ARKANSAS OVER: Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Mississippi State, Oregon, Tennessee, Baylor, Texas A&M, Purdue and others.
PERSONAL: Malik Hornsby … Born Nov. 7, 2000 … Son of Seth McCoy.
