Making history: Hogs take the field with all-black defensive staff

Arkansas football makes history with an all-black defensive coaching staff.

When Horatio’s Darrell Brown stepped onto the University of Arkansas campus in the fall of 1965, heroically breaking the color-barrier as the Razorbacks’ first African-American football player, the landscape of college athletics was slowly beginning to change.

Frank Falks became the first African-American assistant coach in Arkansas history in 1973, when he was hired by Head Coach Frank Broyles to work with the defensive ends. After Lou Holtz took the next step in 1977, hiring John Mitchell as the defensive line coach, Larry Brinson was later hired by Ken Hatfield to coach running backs from 1984-89. That began to open the door a little more for others. Garrick McGee then broke another barrier in 2010, becoming the Hogs’ first black offensive coordinator, under Head Coach Bobby Petrino.

The evolution did not happen as quickly as many would have hoped, but now 58 years after Brown suited up, the Razorback program has reached a monumental milestone under Sam Pittman. When the Hogs opened the season this past Saturday with a 56-13 win over Western Carolina in Little Rock, they took the field with an all-black defensive coaching staff.

“First of all, I think you have to give kudos to Coach Pittman for identifying the talent that was out there, who just happen to be of color,” said Dr. Fitz Hill, the first African-American assistant head coach in program history, under Houston Nutt in 2000. “And we know that Coach Pittman has to trust them because his livelihood is placed in their hands.

“You can’t have a token position in football, or in college athletics, because everybody is observing how well you do – Are we good? Are we bad? Or whatever. It’s not a subjective evaluation. But he was able to find some excellent coaches, who have the pedigree, and just happen to be of color.”

When former defensive coordinator Barry Odom left Fayetteville last December to become the head coach at Nevada-Las Vegas, he took linebackers coach Michael Scherer with him. Pittman also let go of cornerbacks coach Dominique Bowman following the season, leaving the Hogs with three openings to join the lone holdover on the defensive staff, line coach Deke Adams.

After thorough research and networking across the country to find the right fits for his program, Pittman selected his new coaches – and happened to make history in the process.

It didn’t take Pittman long to choose Travis Williams as Arkansas’ first black defensive coordinator. The former Auburn linebacker, who led the team in tackles during its undefeated 2004 season, had been the Tigers’ co-defensive coordinator in 2019-20, before spending the past two seasons as the DC at Central Florida.

In Williams first year with the Knights, his defense moved up 97 spots in the NCAA team pass efficiency defense rankings, compared to 2020, as well as jumping 86 spots in passing yards allowed (89.1 fewer yards per game) and 70 spots in total defense (122.5 fewer yards allowed per game). The Razorbacks finished 101st out of 131 FBS teams in total defense last season.

Another big factor in choosing Williams was his experience in the SEC, as well as his understanding and ability to recruit.

“It had a lot to do with that, because he understood recruiting and the urgency of recruiting in the SEC — it’s just different,” Pittman said after the hire. “Also, I liked his style. He’s very, very aggressive, and I like the fact that he’s going to keep four linemen on the D-line in the game.”

In January, the Razorbacks hired former Florida State defensive passing game coordinator Marcus Woodson to be Williams’ co-coordinator and work with the defensive backs in pass protection schemes. Three weeks later, they hired Florida cornerbacks analyst Deron Wilson to be the Hogs new secondary coach.

Including running backs coach Jimmy Smith and wide receivers coach Kenny Guiton, six of the Razorbacks’ 10 full-time assistant coaches are black.

“That’s the definition of inclusion,” Hill said. “You can say affirmative action, but inclusion is a whole different category. Now, you see that in 2023, which some thought would never happen, is that quality coaches are being given access, because of what they’ve earned, not denied because of color.”

After his 11-year stint on the Razorbacks’ staff, Hill was hired as the head coach at San Jose State from 2001-04, before focusing his career on education. In 2012, he wrote and published the book Crackback!, along with Mark Purdy, who is white, and a longtime columnist for the San Jose Mercury News. They detailed the disparity of minorities in college football, particularly in hiring practices and advancement.

“I wanted to write the book in collaboration with Mark, because I wanted a balanced perspective with two different mindsets coming together to reveal the truth,” Hill said. “I wasn’t trying to bash anybody, but instead just saying, ‘Here’s what the facts are.’ The book is factual, so if you don’t like the truth, then that’s on you.

“Race has always restricted space, particularly in football,” he said, referencing Warren Moon, who was one of the best college quarterbacks in America at Washington in 1977, but went undrafted and was relegated to begin his career in the Canadian Football League, likely due to the color of his skin. Eventually becoming the NFL’s Man of the Year in 1989, Moon was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

“For quarterbacks, time has evolved, but for coaches it’s still lagging behind,” Hill added. “So, these are breakthrough opportunities for some of these black coaches. And again, kudos to Coach Pittman for making that happen.”

But now, he also admits that the “double-edged sword” effect could come into play, depending on how successful the team is under this new regime.

“Now, the platform is there to perform, and if you don’t perform, it can have a negative effect across the board,” Hill explained. “Unfortunately, minorities are still evaluated collectively, whereas majorities are evaluated individually. It’s really a double-edged sword. You have to succeed or it can prevent other opportunities from happening.”

He also referenced former Colorado Head Coach Bill McCartney, who had three minority coaches on staff – two were black and one was Polynesian — when they led the Buffaloes to the 1990 National Championship.

“Yeah, the evolution has been slow, but now the statement has been made. The opportunity is there, so now the production must come.”

Arkansas lands commitment from 4-star 2025 running back

4-star running back Jamarion Parker, a St. Louis native, committed to the Razorbacks on Friday. He became the third commitment of the 2025 class.

Recruiting never stops, and Arkansas hauled in a big commitment the day before the season opener on Friday.

St. Louis 4-star running back Jamarion Parker called the Hogs, picking them over Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon and Texas A&M.

Jimmy Smith was his main recruiter and after his third visit to Fayetteville back in April, he knew the decision he wanted to make.

He is the third player to commit in the 2025 class, joining Grayson Wilson and Marcus Wimberly.

Parker will be playing in the Under Armour All-American game in 2025 in Orlando.

He is a consensus top 250 player in America in all recruiting services, being ranked in the top 25 as both an athlete and running back by ESPN and On3Sports.

Greer commits to Arkansas after decommitting from Stanford

4-star offensive tackle Kai Greer spurned Stanford and committed to the Razorbacks in the same day.

Goodbye, Palo Alto.

Hello, Fayetteville.

4-star offensive tackle Kai Greer decommitted from Stanford earlier on Wednesday and committed to Arkansas later in the evening.

https://x.com/kgreer74/status/1697060186916053308?s=46&t=ePgN1CXZYeG7pg-Bi26Arg

Greer, who attends Marvin Ridge (NC) High School, is a 6’6, 285 pound road grader who only received an offer from Stanford at the end of May.

He had taken a visit to Texas A&M in early June, along with Ole Miss.

Arkansas hosted him the last full weekend in June, and the connections he made there were instrumental in him ultimately deciding on the Razorbacks.

With the commitment, the Razorbacks now have 19 commitments in the 2024 class, which is 20th in the country according to 247 Sports.

Hogs’ RB Depth Chart: Rocket leads a stacked deck

Led by Rocket Sanders, the Arkansas running back room could be as loaded as it’s ever been.

Reminiscent of the mid-2000s, the Arkansas running back room is arguably the best in the SEC, top to bottom, and one of the elite groups in the nation.

It’s been nearly 17 years since two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up Darren McFadden left for the NFL, along with one-time running mates Felix Jones and Peyton Hillis. The 2006 roster also including a dynamic freshman, in future 1,000-yard back Michael Smith.

The Hogs have had some other stellar ball-carriers since then, with the likes of Broderick Green, Jonathan Williams, Alex Collins, Rawleigh Williams III and Rakeem Boyd. But this year’s complete stable of backs may be unmatched, when all is said and done. And it all starts with the explosive Rocket Man.

Starter: Raheim “Rocket” Sanders

Arkansas’ Raheim Sanders (5) runs the ball against the Mississippi Rebels at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on November 19, 2022. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Class: Junior

Measurables: 6-2, 242 lbs.

Last Season: Ran for 1,443 yards on 222 attempts with 10 touchdowns and a long of 76 yards against Auburn. He also caught 28 passes for 271 yards and a pair of TDs, averaging 9.7 yards per catch, with a long of 73 yards against Missouri State. In his 250 total touches, he did not fumble the ball.

2023 Outlook: Rocket has already been selected as a preseason first-team All-SEC performer, as well as a second-team All-American. He has also been named to the national Watch Lists for the Walter Camp. Doak Walker and Maxwell Awards. Some early mock drafts have him going as high as the first-round in the 2024 NFL Draft.

After adding 15 pounds this offseason, the Rockledge, Fla., product, has been able to get bigger and stronger, while improving his already-elite speed. He admits that he feels better than ever entering what could be his final season in Fayetteville. It also helps that he gets to team up with senior KJ Jefferson, arguably the best quarterback in the conference, and is getting comfortable in new offensive coordinator Dan Enos’ pro-style offense.

“A lot of learning with the new offensive coordinator,” Sanders said. “(KJ Jefferson) makes me comfortable, the offensive coordinator (Dan Enos), and him as well. I just feel more comfortable this year just talking to him and learning new things and always going in for questions. He’s always there for me.”

Enos has been enamored with Sanders’ consistent effort and competitiveness, even in practice.

“You would think that he’s a freshman that just got here,” Enos said. “When I say that, I mean his attitude and his demeanor and the way he practices. He doesn’t practice like a guy who rushed for 1,500 yards last year and has all these accolades. He runs the ball in practice like a guy who is very hungry and has something to prove.”

Vegas currently has Sanders at 150-1 to win the Heisman Trophy, which also depends heavily on the team’s success, but if he can remain healthy, those odds could shrink in a hurry.

Back-up 2A: Rashod Dubinion

Arkansas running back Rashod Dubinion (6) catches the game-winning two-point conversion in the third overtime against Kansas in the 2022 Liberty Bowl in Memphis. Arkansas won 55-53. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Class: Sophomore

Measurables: 5-10, 216 lbs.

Last Season: As a true freshman, he ran for 293 yards on 71 attempts with five touchdowns, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. He also caught 12 passes for 108 yards and another TD, averaging 9.0 yards per catch. In his 83 total touches, he did not fumble the ball.

The high 3-Star recruit out of Ellenwood, Ga., came in as the nation’s No. 22 athlete, according to 247Sports, choosing the Razorbacks over a long-list of Power-5 programs, such as Auburn, Florida, Florida State and Ole Miss.

He played in all 13 games last season and quickly turned heads with his elusive speed and ability to find holes, as well as pass-catching skills. He turned in his best performance against Kansas in the Liberty Bowl, rushing for 112 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries, to go along with three receptions for 19 yards.

2023 Outlook: The talented back looks primed to take things up another notch this season  after dedicating himself to the weight room in the offseason, under the watchful eye of new strength and conditioning coach Ben Sowder.

“Rashod is a football player,” said running backs coach Jimmy Smith. “He loves football. But when he first got here, the weight room was something he had to do, not something he wanted to do. As time went on, he started lifting weights and saw his body changing.

“Now he knows and he’s started enjoying the weight room. Coach Sowders held him accountable and started making him do it. Then once he started making him do it, he saw the changes and he started wanting to do it. It’s going to be really good for him.”

Back-up 2B: AJ Green

Class: Junior

Measurables: 5-11, 205 lbs.

Last Season: As a sophomore, he ran for 412 yards on 87 attempts with three touchdowns, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. He also caught six passes for 75 yards, averaging 12.5 yards per catch. Like Sanders and Dubinion, he did not fumble the ball.

The Tulsa Union alum came to Arkansas two years ago, as a 4-Star prospect, the No. 2 player in the state of Oklahoma and the No. 188 overall prep player in the nation. Green has been a solid change-of-pace back the last two seasons with his speed and receiving ability, and will likely continue to split second-team reps with Dubinion.

2023 Outlook: Green returns with outstanding top-end track speed, running a 10.38 in the 100 meters, and a 21.46 in 200 meters. He has a great initial burst with home run-hitting long speed, and has proven to have slippery strength to run through arm tackles. He showcased these traits with a 30-yard touchdown sprint against Texas as a freshman, and a few times last season, including a 20-yard jaunt against Kansas in the Liberty Bowl, which was also his first career 100-yard game

Although he could have opted to transfer after last season to seek more playing time elsewhere, Green remains all Hog.

“We all know if we wanted to go somewhere, we could play,” he said. “But why do that, when we have some of the best players right here that’s going to push us to our best potential? We’re brothers. We don’t hate on each other (and say) ‘oh, he’s getting this many carries’ and this and that. We’re just pushing each other to be the best that we can.”

Fourth Team: Dominique Johnson

Dominique Johnson (20) rushes for a touchdown against Georgia Southern at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Class: RS-Junior

Measurables: 6-1, 252 lbs.

Last Season: He was the starter at running back for the majority of the 2021 season, before tearing his ACL during Razorbacks’ 24-10 victory over Penn State in the Outback Bowl. After surgery and rehab, he missed the first three games of 2022, before injuring the same knee again later in the year. He finished the season with just eight carries for 43 yards, but maintained his year of eligibility with a redshirt. 

2023 Outlook: When the Crowley, Texas, native arrived at Arkansas as 3-Star recruit in 2020, his role was still up in the air. He spent a day with the tight ends, before rejoining the running backs and eventually becoming the starter as a sophomore. His bruising style endeared himself to the coaches, which he put on display in a 40-21 win over Texas, scoring the game’s first touchdown on a 5-yard bullrush through the middle of the Longhorns’ defense. Now that he appears to be back fully healthy, that power running could benefit the Hogs again this season.

Johnson could have easily called it quits after multiple knee injuries, and is well aware of where he now sits in the pecking order. But he is back on the field with something to prove.

“Basically now again, I’m the fourth running back,” he said. “So it’s not a problem for me. I feel like as long as I keep doing how I do, run my way, my way is going to come into play. Gameday, we might need it, so I just do what I do. Encourage everybody else to keep going like that.”

New strength and conditioning coach Ben Sowders has helped Johnson add more muscle and strength this offseason, so without any setbacks, he may return to being a vital part of the run game.

“His body is different,” running backs coach Jimmy Smith said. “There’s more muscle. They took care of him. Even when he was hurt, he did a good job of doing stuff, just keeping the conditioning going. They did a good job of it. He’s kind of ahead of it because he was already in condition. When he started back running, he could do more running.”

Freshman: Isaiah Augustave

Class: Freshman

Measurables: 6-2, 208 lbs.

Last Season: The talented 4-Star out of Naples, Fla., was ranked the No. 13 high school running back in the nation, and the No. 174 overall recruit, according to 247Sports. As a senior, he had 110 carries for 1,061 yards — 9.6 yards per carry — and 11 touchdowns, including three 100-yard games. He had a slew of Division I offers and chose the Hogs over the likes of Florida State, Tennessee, Missouri and Kentucky.

2023 Outlook: Augustave has a tall, lean, athletic build, with good muscle mass and a frame that should allow him to continue adding bulk, under new strength and conditioning coach Ben Sowders. He possesses the top end speed to hit the long run, running an 11.01 in the 100 meters. He has the burst to hit holes straight on and the wiggle to make the first man miss, or elude an open-field tackler in space.

He is excited to be a Razorback and has already developed a close relationship with his teammates and running backs coach Jimmy Smith.

“We just really clicked, like we vibe together,” Augustave said. “I fell in love with the campus, and the coaches are all good people. They are all there for the players, it’s like a family up here and just reminds a lot of what I already got at Naples High.”

Freshman: Emmanuel Crawford

Class: Freshman

Measurables: 5-10, 168 lbs.

Last Season: Was Oklahoma’s Gatorade Football Player of the Year, after finishing high school with 6,777 career rushing yards, the most in Class 5A history. He also tallied 93 career rushing touchdowns and 13 career receiving scores. As a senior, led Grove, Okla., to a 13-1 record, rushing for 2,304 yards and 36 touchdowns on 230 carries, averaging 10 yards per attempt and 235.3 rushing yards per game. He also caught 19 passes for 546 yards, averaging 28.7 yards per reception, and seven TD catches.

2023 Outlook: Hailing from Head Coach Sam Pittman’s high school alma mater, Crawford was not heavily recruited by Power 5 schools, due to his slight build. His work in the classroom garnered offers from Air Force, Army and Navy, but Crawford decided to walk on at Arkansas. Despite his size, the speedster is not your typical walk-on, and could have a bright future down the line with the Razorbacks.

Running backs coach Jimmy Smith feels Crawford can get up to around 180 pounds and has the potential to emerge into a change-of-pace role as a scat-back in his career, as he learns the finer points of the position.

“He’ll have a role, a scat-back,” Smith said. “He’s a quick little joker, always scooting around. I had to slow him down a little bit. I tell him all the time, at running back, it’s not about going fast all the time. It’s about the pace and being able to understand the pace of certain runs. So right now he’s doing everything fast, but I’d rather him go too fast than too slow. So he’ll be alright.”

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Arkansas gains first 2026 football commitment

Arkansas secured its first 2026 football commitment on Thursday when California’s Tay “Boggie” Lockett pledged to the Razorbacks on his social media.

Yes, you’re reading that right.

Arkansas gained a Class of 2026 commitment on Thursday when California defensive back Tay Lockett pledged to the Razorbacks.

https://x.com/lockett_tay/status/1694839633136525686?s=43&t=ePgN1CXZYeG7pg-Bi26Arg

Lockett picked Arkansas over a bunch of other schools, including USC, Washington, Georgia, Penn State, Auburn, Oregon, Tennessee, Florida State, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Michigan and Texas A&M.

He was named a first-team MaxPreps All-American as a freshman in 2022 and is the equivalent of a 4-star prospect right now, although he isn’t rated by most reputable recruiting services.

Sam Pittman offered him back in March during the Kentucky basketball game when he was on a visit and he and his family also visited during the spring game in April.

Hogs basketball recruit Boateng likely to narrow list soon

The Little Rock Central wing is the best player in the state. He’s already visited Fayetteville and now he’s off elsewhere.

The good news for Arkansas fans is that Annor Boateng visited Fayetteville first.

The bad news is he’s now traveling elsewhere.

Boateng, a 6-foot-5, four-star wing from Little Rock Central, is set to visit Missouri, LSU, Virginia and Indiana over the course of September, according to a report from WholeHogSports’ Richard Davenport. Those four schools, plus Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Auburn and Virginia Tech, made the cut as his finalists back in July.

Over at On3, Boateng is listed as a five-star player the No. 9 recruit in the whole country in the Class of 2024. And while his ranking isn’t that high at 247Sports, no publication has him outside the realm of potential superstar.

Boateng is the reigning Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year for the Tigers after averaging 16 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists in 2022-23 at Central.

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Coaches select six Hogs as preseason All-SEC

Senior running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders and senior cornerback Dwight “Nudie” McGlothern were both selected first-teamers by the SEC coaches

Six Arkansas Razorbacks were voted to the 2023 Preseason Coaches All-SEC teams, the league announced Tuesday.

Arkansas landed two first-team selections, in junior running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders and senior cornerback Dwight “Nudie” McGlothern. Sanders was previously named Preseason First Team All-SEC by the media last month, while McGlothern earned second-team honors.

The coaches’ second team included senior quarterback KJ Jefferson and two of his senior offensive linemen, Brady Latham and Beaux Limmer.

Jefferson and Latham were also second-team selections by the media.

Junior kicker Cam Little, a Freshman All-SEC performer in 2021, rounded out the coaches’ selections with third-team honors.

This was highest number of Razorbacks on the list since the 2011 team that finished the season 11-2, who placed seven players on the first two units.

Here’s a look at the complete Preseason All-SEC football teams. Georgia led the way with 14 selections and LSU had 11.

FIRST TEAM

Offense

QB – Jayden Daniels, LSU

RB – Quinshon Judkins, Ole Miss

RB – Raheim Sanders, Arkansas

WR – Malik Nabers, LSU

WR – Antwane Wells*, South Carolina

WR – Ladd McConkey*, Georgia

TE – Brock Bowers, Georgia

OL – JC Latham, Alabama

OL – Tate Ratledge, Georgia

OL – Will Campbell, LSU

OL – Amarius Mims, Georgia

C – Sedrick Van Pran, Georgia

AP – Ainias Smith, Texas A&M

Defense

DL – Mekhi Wingo, LSU

DL – Mykel Williams, Georgia

DL – Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia

DL – Maason Smith, LSU

LB – Dallas Turner, Alabama

LB – Harold Perkins, LSU

LB – Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Georgia

DB – Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

DB – Malaki Starks, Georgia

DB – Javon Bullard, Georgia

DB – Dwight McGlothern, Arkansas

Special Teams

PK – Will Reichard, Alabama

P – Kai Kroeger, South Carolina

RS – Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

KOS – Mitch Jeter, South Carolina

LS – Wesley Schelling, Vanderbilt

SECOND TEAM

Offense

QB – KJ Jefferson, Arkansas

RB – Jase McClellan, Alabama

RB – Kendall Milton, Georgia

WR – Bru McCoy, Tennessee

WR – Evan Stewart*, Texas A&M

WR – Will Sheppard*, Vanderbilt

WR – Jermaine Burton*, Alabama

TE – Mason Taylor, LSU

OL – Javon Foster, Missouri

OL – Brady Latham, Arkansas

OL – Tyler Booker, Alabama

OL – Xavier Truss*, Georgia

OL – Emery Jones*, LSU

C – Beaux Limmer, Arkansas

AP – Tulu Griffin, Mississippi State

Defense

DL – McKinnley Jackson, Texas A&M

DL – Jaheim Oatis, Alabama

DL – Deone Walker, Kentucky

DL – Justin Eboigbe, Alabama

LB – Nathaniel Watson, Mississippi State

LB – Smael Mondon, Georgia

LB – JJ Weaver, Kentucky

DB – Kamari Lassiter, Georgia

DB – Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri

DB – Malachi Moore, Alabama

DB – Demani Richardson, Texas A&M

Special Teams

PK – Harrison Mevis, Missouri

P – Nik Constantinou, Texas A&M

RS – Ainias Smith, Texas A&M

KOS – Nathan Dibert, LSU

LS – Kneeland Hibbett, Alabama

THIRD TEAM

Offense

QB – Will Rogers, Mississippi State

RB – Trevor Etienne, Florida

RB – Jarquez Hunter, Auburn

WR – Luther Burden III, Missouri

WR – Ainias Smith*, Texas A&M

WR – Ja’Corey Brooks*, Alabama

TE – Luke Deal*, Auburn

TE – Caden Prieskorn*, Ole Miss

TE – Michael Trigg*, Ole Miss

TE – Trey Knox*, South Carolina

OL – Layden Robinson, Texas A&M

OL – Eli Cox, Kentucky

OL – Jeremy James, Ole Miss

OL – Kam Stutts*, Auburn

OL – Javontez Spraggins*, Tennessee

OL – Micah Pettus*, Ole Miss

C – Cooper Mays, Tennessee

AP – Dakereon Joyner, South Carolina

Defense

DL – Princely Umanmiellen, Florida

DL – Tonka Hemingway, South Carolina

DL – Jared Ivey, Ole Miss

DL – Tim Smith*, Alabama

DL – Darius Robinson*, Missouri

LB – Ty’Ron Hopper, Missouri

LB – Jett Johnson, Mississippi State

LB – Chris Braswell, Alabama

DB – Marcellas Dial, South Carolina

DB – Nehemiah Pritchett, Auburn

DB – Jason Marshall, Florida

DB – Greg Brooks, LSU

Special Teams

PK – Cam Little, Arkansas

P – Oscar Chapman*, Auburn

P – Matthew Hayball*, Vanderbilt

RS – Tulu Griffin, Mississippi State

LS – Slade Roy, LSU

*denotes tie in votes, ties are not broken.

Rocket named preseason AP All-American

The stout junior ran for 1,426 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.

The preseason hype continues to build for Arkansas junior running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders, who was named a second-team preseason All-American by the Associated Press on Monday,

The 6-foot-2, 242-pound speedster was a first-team All-SEC pick after last season and has already been tabbed as a first-team preseason selection this year, following SEC Media Days in July. He has also been named to the national Watch Lists for the Walter Camp. Doak Walker and Maxwell Awards.

Sanders is the first Razorback offensive player to be named to the AP Preseason All-American team since current Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow in 2017. Former safety Jalen Catalon earned the honor in 2021.

Sanders ran had 219 carries as a sophomore for 1,426 yards and 10 touchdowns. While making the SEC All-Freshman team two years ago, he played in all 13 games, finishing with 578 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground — averaging 5.2 yards per carry — while also hauling in 11 passes for 109 yards and a score.

“You would think that he’s a freshman that just got here,” offensive coordinator Enos said during a Thursday press conference. “When I say that, I mean his attitude and his demeanor and the way he practices. He doesn’t practice like a guy who rushed for 1,500 yards last year and has all these accolades. He runs the ball in practice like a guy who is very hungry and has something to prove.”

Sanders is the leader of a stacked running back room for the Hogs, which also includes AJ Green, Rashod Dubinion and Dominque Johnson.

Arkansas adds another 2024 commitment over the weekend

3-star linebacker Wyatt Simmons of Harding Academy committed to Arkansas on Saturday afternoon.

Jeb Huckeba was the last Harding Academy standout to suit up for Arkansas and became a future fifth round NFL draft pick.

The school has another headed to Fayetteville.

On Saturday, Wyatt Simmons committed to the Razorbacks over a host of other Power Five schools.

https://x.com/wyatt_simmons10/status/1693021281615052903?s=46&t=ePgN1CXZYeG7pg-Bi26Arg

Simmons is a 3-star recruit according to ESPN and the No. 13 inside linebacker in the country.

He took official visits to Arkansas, Auburn and Clemson, and unofficial visits to Florida State and Ole Miss.

In 2022, Simmons compiled 84 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 1 interception and 2 recovered fumbles as Harding Academy moved up a classification and lost to Malvern in the Class 4A state championship game.

The state’s top high-schooler in the Class of 2025 makes Hogs a finalist

Arkansas is still recruiting the 2024 class, but landing Omarion Robinson would kickstart 2025.

The best player in the state of Arkansas’ Class of 2025 is strongly considering his home-state’s flagship school.

Omarion Robinson, a four-star safety for Little Rock Parkview, made the Razorbacks one of his finalists with a post to X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday. Robinson is not just the top-ranked player in the state, but also the No. 14 safety in the country.

Arkansas was one of 10 teams on Robinson’s finalists list. Florida State, Oregon, Oklahoma, Baylor, Southern California, Texas, Auburn, Ole Miss and Tennessee were the other teams listed.

The Razorbacks have already landed on in-state product from the class. Central Arkansas Christian quarterback Grayson Wilson committed earlier in the year. Wilson is a three-star recruit and the No. 30 quarterback in the class.

Arkansas is largely most focused on recruiting for the Class of 2024 right now. That Hogs class is currently ranked No. 21 in the nation and has 17 commitments.

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