Caleb Wooden, a former Auburn defensive back, is poised to return to the Arkansas Razorbacks roster for the 2026 campaign after a federal injunction restored his college eligibility.
Eligibility Restored by Federal Court
During the 2024 season Wooden made 11 starts for Arkansas, tallying 59 tackles, three tackles for loss and three pass breakups. His most memorable moment came against LSU, where he tied for the team‑high with seven tackles and returned a blocked punt for a touchdown.
Wooden’s college journey began at Auburn, where he appeared in nine games over three seasons before transferring to Arkansas for his senior year in 2025. He entered college as a consensus three‑star recruit from Georgia.
The injunction that clears his path applies to athletes from the high school class of 2022 who exhausted their fourth season of eligibility, allowing them to claim a fifth year of competition beginning in the 2026‑27 academic year.
Arkansas has not yet formally announced Wooden’s specific position on the 2026 depth chart, but head coach Ryan Silverfield has indicated that the player will be integrated into the defensive scheme as a key contributor.
If the coaching staff follows through on early reports, Wooden’s blend of size, tackling ability and special‑teams experience could bolster the Razorbacks’ front seven and add depth to their punt‑return unit.