Category: Arkansas recruiting

Five Star Kicker Picks Arkansas

Blake Ford announced Tuesday that he was coming to Arkansas as a preferred walk-on. 

Cam Little may be coming off a Freshman All-American season, but he can expect a push from another freshman this fall. Sam Pittman and Scott Fountain have added some competition after the departure of Vito Calvaruso. Blake Ford announced Tuesday that he was coming to Arkansas as a preferred walk-on.

Ford played in the 2022 All-American Bowl earlier this month. He played his high school football in the Dallas Metroplex at Arlington Lamar High School. Ford chose Arkansas over Texas and Indiana, where he also had PWO invitations.

Two Razorback Signees Named to McDonalds All-American Roster

Two Razorbacks from the same signing class are named McDonald’s All-American’s for the first time since 1988.

Arkansas Basketball has one of the nation’s best recruiting classes for the class of 2022, which includes two five stars and three four-star signees.

Two of the biggest names of the class, Nate Smith and Jordan Walsh, learned Tuesday that they had been named to the McDonald’s All-America Team.

Smith and Walsh are the first Arkansas signees to be named McDonald’s All-Americans since Bobby Portis was named to the team in 2013. They are also the first duo from the same signing class to earn honors since 1988 when Lee Mayberry and Todd Day were named to the prestigious team.

 

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Arkansas has had Nick Smith, a five-star guard from North Little Rock, on their radar for years. The Razorbacks were one of the first programs to offer Smith, doing so in July 2019. It is a great thing that the Razorbacks were early to offer, as he has grown in popularity by collecting 26 total offers from programs across the country.

He is gaining attention at the professional level as well, recently being named as the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. 

Joining Smith as a McDonald’s All-American and Razorback is five-star forward Jordan Walsh of Branson, Mo. Much like Smith, Arkansas was one of the first programs to extend an offer to Walsh. Brandon Jenkins, basketball recruiting analyst at 247sports believes that Walsh is a huge threat as a defensive player.

“Walsh’s calling card may be on the defensive end where he is disruptive guarding the ball and contesting shots,” says Jenkins. “He has a nose for the ball and looks to control the glass when motivated and he can lead the break after securing a defensive rebound.”

Only 24 of the nation’s best players can call themselves a McDonald’s All-American each year, so to have two signees join the club is a huge accomplishment and a testament to the recruiting efforts of Eric Musselman and staff.

The McDonald’s All-America Games will take place at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Ill. on March 29, 2022 at 8 p.m.

Former Georgia defensive back announces commitment to Arkansas

Former Georgia defensive back could slot in next to Jalen Catalon in the Arkansas secondary.

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Once again, Arkansas coach Sam Pittman has proven that he knows how to navigate the transfer portal.

Latavious Brini, a starting defensive back and a key piece of Georgia’s national championship team, announced his commitment to the Hogs via Twitter on Sunday.

While Pittman has had success in reeling in talent from the transfer portal, the latest addition to his program will have a familiar taste. Pittman served as offensive line and associate head coach at Georgia during Brini’s first three years in Athens.

Brini had his best season in a Georgia uniform in 2021. The Hialeah, Florida, native appeared in 13 games for the Bulldogs, starting 11 games primarily at in the STAR position. In his senior season, Brini recorded 38 tackles, including a season-high five tackles against Auburn, Florida, and Tennessee. One of his starts came against the Razorbacks on October 2, when he recorded one solo tackle and a pass breakup.

Brini announced his decision to transfer away from Georgia just two days following the Bulldogs win over Alabama in the College Football Playoff National Championship game, and spent a total of ten days in the transfer portal before committing to Arkansas.

Brini will have one season of eligibility remaining. He is the second potential starter, and former SEC foe, Arkansas has landed in a week after getting Dwight McGlothern from LSU last week.

Georgia linebacker commits to Hogs as eighth pick-up of 2023 class

Arkansas picked up its second commitment in as many days when Georgia linebacker Everett Roussaw Jr. tweeted his decision Sunday morning.

Everett Roussaw Jr., a three-star linebacker from Georgia, is headed to Fayetteville.

The Cedar Grove High School junior became the eighth commitment of Arkansas’ 2023 class when he tweeted his decision around 6 a.m. Sunday morning.

Note the location stamp in the tweet. Roussaw had been in Fayetteville as part of Arkansas’ Junior Day over the weekend.

Former Oklahoma wide receiver Jadon Haselwood, who transferred from the Sooners to Arkansas just after the season was over, also attended Cedar Grove. So did Class of 2022 signee Rashod Dubinion, a running back.

Arkansas’ eight commitments are tied with Notre Dame for second most in FBS and together they make up the third-ranked class for 2023 behind the Fighting Irish and Georgia, which has the most commitments at nine.

Roussaw’s commitment gave Arkansas two such notices in two days after four-star tight end Luke Hasz from Bixby, Oklahoma, announced his intention Saturday.

Four-Star Tight End Luke Hasz Commits to Arkansas

Arkansas lands the No. 2 tight end in the nation for the 2023 class.

Sam Pittman and Arkansas have added another big-time name to the 2023 recruiting class.

Luke Hasz, a 6-3, 220 pound four-star Tight End from Bixby, Oklahoma, has announced his pledge to the Arkansas on Saturday, as announced on his Twitter page.

Arkansas lands the pledge of the No. 2 tight end in the nation, and the No. 59 prospect overall according to 247sports. Hasz, a former Oklahoma pledge, is the second member of the Class of 2023 to commit to the Hogs in a week. Defensive End Kaleb James announced his commitment to Arkansas on Tuesday.

Hasz hasn’t been shy about showcasing his feelings towards Arkansas over the last week. Hasz took an unofficial visit to Arkansas on January 15, then posted photos of himself wearing the Arkansas football uniform one day later.

Currently, Arkansas has the 4th-ranked signing class for 2023, and 2nd in the SEC. Hasz is the third tight end to commit to Arkansas for 2023, joining Jaden Hamm and Shamar Easter.

Eye for an Eye of the Tiger: Second LSU Defender Opts for Arkansas

Defensive lineman Landon Jackson picked Arkansas last month, and now defensive back Dwight McGlothern has followed suit.

Joe Foucha and Greg Brooks have left Fayetteville for Baton Rouge, clearing the way for two former Tigers to become Razorbacks. Defensive lineman Landon Jackson picked Arkansas last month, and now defensive back Dwight McGlothern has followed suit. The former 4-star high school recruit out of Spring, Texas, is expected to immediately compete for playing time.

This is the second SEC transfer Arkansas’s defense added on Sunday. Former Alabama linebacker Drew Sanders chose the Hogs over Oklahoma. Sanders entered the transfer portal on Tuesday.

Hogs Land Former Bama Backer

Drew Sanders announced on Twitter today that he will be a Razorback.

Drew Sanders announced on Twitter today that he will be a Razorback. The former Crimson Tide linebacker entered the transfer portal earlier this week when he left Alabama. He made an official visit to Arkansas on Friday.

Sanders immediately boosts a linebacker room that loses Hayden Henry and Grant Morgan. Andrew Parker also returns, giving defensive coordinator Barry Odom three options with SEC playing time.

Sanders signed with Alabama out of Denton (TX) Ryan. He comes to Arkansas with a minimum of three years of eligibility.

Malik Horsnby Calls Audible, Will Not Transfer

One week after announcing plans to transfer, Arkansas backup quarterback Malik Hornsby will apparently remain a Razorback. He is expected to be the clear #2 quarterback heading into spring football. Redshirt freshman Lucas Coley is expected to make a strong push for playing time, too. 

One week after announcing plans to transfer, Arkansas backup quarterback Malik Hornsby will apparently remain a Razorback. He is expected to be the #2 quarterback heading into spring football. Redshirt freshman Lucas Coley is expected to make a strong push for playing time, too.

Hornsby played sparingly in relief of starter KJ Jefferson this past season, coming up big in the Arkansas’s 20-10 victory over Texas A&M after Jefferson went out with an injury. Hornsby also spelled KJ during the 24-10 Outback Bowl victory over Penn State, finishing the game with 67 yards rushing on only four carries.

Arkansas Football Hosts Former Bama Backer

The Hogs are in hot pursuit of another bash brother for Bumper Pool. With Grant Morgan and Hayden Henry moving on, the linebacker room needs more depth.

The Hogs are in hot pursuit of another bash brother for Bumper Pool. With Grant Morgan and Hayden Henry moving on, the linebacker room needs more depth. A highly regarded athlete with SEC experience would certainly help to fill the void.

Former Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Drew Sanders paid a visit to The Hill this week, checking out his potential new home. The former 4-star recruit from Denton, Texas, entered the transfer portal after Bama’s loss in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Monday. Sanders has a minimum three years of eligibility remaining and would be eligible to play this fall.

Rivals.com evaluates Sanders highly, predicting his decision will come down to either Arkansas or Oklahoma.

Bumper is Back: Arkansas Linebacker to make Razorbacks Return

All-SEC linebacker and All-Universe name-haver Bumper Pool will return for his super senior season, capping a roller coaster week for Arkansas fans. Bumper’s announcement stems the tide of transfers and draft entrants on the defensive side of the ball. It only makes sense that the team leader in tackles makes a crucial stop at the end of the week.

All-SEC linebacker and All-Universe name-haver Bumper Pool will return for his super senior season, capping a roller coaster week for Arkansas fans. Bumper’s announcement stems the tide of transfers and draft entrants on the defensive side of the ball. It only makes sense that the team leader in tackles makes a crucial stop at the end of the week. Here’s Bumper discussing with Cousin Sal and the Extra Points gang, with whom he has a NIL agreement.

This comes after last night’s announcement that backup quarterback Malik Hornsby would enter the transfer portal. He follows, among others, fellow backups Devin Bush, Darin Turner, Jermaine Hamilton-Jordan, sometimes starter Greg Brooks, and 2021 captain Joe Foucha. Opting to try their hands at the NFL are Busta Brown, Tre Williams, John Ridgeway, Markell Utsey, and first-round lock Treylon Burks.

For all the weeping and gnashing of teeth this week about players transferring out of the program, the Hogs have only lost one true starter while retaining Bumper and Jalen Catalon (who last night basically told the Hogs faithful to chill out). Brooks started occasionally and would have pushed for a starter’s role this season. But the Razorbacks have continued to develop real depth in the secondary. Guys like Myles Slusher have plenty of snaps in SEC play now. And yet-to-sign-but-committed Myles Rowser may see his chance at early playing time.