BREAKING: Jacob McLeod Transfers to Arkansas

Earlier this month, The Stride Report learned that Belmont's Jacob McLeod was exploring transfer options. Today, the University of Arkansas announced that McLeod would be joining the Razorbacks starting next fall. According to TFRRS, the former Belmont standout will have two seasons of eligibility left in cross country and indoor track, as well as three seasons of eligibility left for outdoor track.

While at Belmont, McLeod earned personal bests of 8:05 (3k) and 13:59 (5k) in his first two years with the team. The newest Razorback was also a cross country national qualifier as a true freshman in 2018 after placing 4th at the South Regional Championships.

McLeod is now the third big-name distance transfer that Arkansas has secured in 2020. Earlier in the year, both Amon Kemboi (formerly of Campbell) and Emmanuel Cheboson (formerly of Louisville) transferred to Fayetteville and joined the Razorbacks. However, due to SEC transfer rules, The Stride Report is expecting Kemboi to sit out this upcoming cross country season.

Even so, the addition of McLeod to the Razorbacks' roster signals that coach Chris Bucknam is revamping an Arkansas lineup that had promising depth last fall, but lacked the necessary scoring potency to compete at the national level.

With a varsity XC team headlined by Gilbert Boit, Emmanuel Cheboson and now Jacob McLeod this fall, the Razorbacks will likely challenge SEC rival Ole Miss for the conference title in October and may be able to secure a top 10 finish at the NCAA Championships if all goes according to plan.