Auburn EDGE Jamonta Waller, Clemson CB Shelton Lewis commit to Arkansas football
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FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas football continued adding to its 2026 defense and landed a pair of Power 4 transfers on Day 6 of the portal window.
Former Auburn buck linebacker Jamonta Waller and Clemson cornerback Shelton Lewis committed to the Razorbacks on Wednesday, Jan. 7. Ryan Silverfield now has 14 commits since the portal opened.
Waller redshirted in 2024 and did not see any game action in 2025, giving him three years of eligibility with the Hogs. He had a foot injury that required season-ending surgery during the 2024 season.
The 6-foot, 243-pound native of Mississippi was a four-star recruit coming out of high school. The 247Sports Composite rated Waller as the No. 8 EDGE and the No. 95 player overall in the Class of 2024.
Lewis redshirted in 2025 and will have two seasons of eligibility remaining. He played in 27 games across three seasons with Clemson, racking up 29 total tackles and two interceptions. He saw the most action of his career in 2023 when he was a true freshman.
Lewis was a three-star recruit from Georgia, ranked No. 694 overall and No. 69 among cornerbacks in the class of 2023.
What does Jamonta Waller’s addition mean for Arkansas football?
Waller is the third player at the defensive line of scrimmage to commit to the Razorbacks out of the portal, joining interior defenders Hunter Osborne (Virginia) and Carlon Jones (USC).
Waller will likely serve as a stand-up defensive end and outside linebacker. This position is responsible for some pass coverage in defensive coordinator Ron Roberts’ scheme, requiring good speed and open-field tackling.
Waller doesn’t have the ideal size to play along the line of scrimmage, but recruiting scouts believed his athleticism and arm length would compensate for his height at the collegiate level. It’s now up toSilverfield and Roberts to maximize a former top-100 prospect.
For now, Waller projects to start opposite Quincy Rhodes along the defensive line, but Arkansas must still be aggressive in the transfer portal. The Hogs need to acquire depth and talent after being one of the worst run-defense teams in the country in 2025.
What does Shelton Lewis addition mean for Arkansas football?
Lewis is the second cornerback to jump on board after Arkansas signed Tulane’s Jahiem Johsnon.
However, Lewis is more likely to play nickel cornerback with the Razorbacks after serving in that role at Clemson. Johnson projects to be an outside cornerback for the Hogs.
Lewis won’t be the last addition through the secondary. Arkansas must beef up its depth after losing its top four corners either to graduation or the transfer portal. The next priority is finding a second starter on the outside, opposite Johnson.
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: Two Power 4 defenders commit to Arkansas football, Ryan Silverfield
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