DT Jay’viar Suggs rates his visit to Arkansas great

Fayetteville, Arkansas – Since logging onto the transfer site, defensive tackle Jay’vier Suggs of Grand Valley State has witnessed an unprecedented surge in his recruiting.

Suggs, 6-3, 295, made an official visit to Arkansas on Saturday and part of Sunday. He signed up for the portal on April 21 and has received offers from 35 universities since then. It must be quite close to a record if it isn’t one. After the trip to Arkansas, he discussed the experience.

“Really the education part,” Suggs said. “Just the resources they have. The ways they help you graduate. I think for football it was 100% graduation rate which is like crazy and really the second part was the atmosphere. I came in here and it just felt so welcoming. Like I said, it was just a great first visit.”

Suggs recorded 21 tackles in 2023—seven solo, 7.5 for loss, five sacks, two quarterback hurries, four pass breakups, and one forced fumble. He expressed his importance of education.

“I actually just got my degree Friday so I’m looking into a Masters program or a second undergrad with supply chain,” Suggs said. “Anyway, I know I have so much help here if I decide to come here or not but just the education was just really key with all the resources. I know I would be able to graduate with a Masters or a second undergrad so that’s important to me.”

Despite being a graduate transfer, he still has two years to play. He spoke in greater detail about the visit’s supply chain component.

“All the Fortune 500 companies like if you graduate with a Masters here or a supply chain you should get a job like that,” Suggs said. “Like I said, the resources here are just like crazy and it’s just a good environment.”

On Thursday, Arkansas made him an offer. Suggs has received offers from the following universities in the six days he has been on the portal: Purdue, Kentucky, Minnesota, Michigan State, Purdue, Iowa, Wisconsin, Kansas State, Arkansas State, Colorado State, Utah State, Indiana, Houston, San Diego State, UAB, Liberty, Georgia Southern, Temple, Ohio, Western Kentucky, Tulane, Eastern Michigan, James Madison, North Texas, FAU, Appalachian State, and Old Dominion. Why was this your first visit to Arkansas, given all the opportunities?

“Really Coach (Deke) Adams,” Suggs said. “He got me on the phone and started talking to me early in the recruiting process. I feel like he took one of the first chances on me. I just wanted to say I appreciate him and everything in whatever decision I decide to make but that connection kind of happened a little early and what he was telling me, he helped me realize the business side of things and what I need to do for my future. So I feel like that was the right move.”

Now that he had completed his tour to Arkansas, Suggs discussed his future plans.

“Right now, scheduled Wisconsin will be Monday or Tuesday,” Suggs said. “After that it’s open right now, but there should be a decision by either today or tomorrow or Tuesday. The decision about visits.”

In the Class of 2024, Arkansas hopes to add two defensive tackles via the transfer portal. The Razorbacks now have three pledges from the April portal opening. There are now seven scholarships available to them.