Arkansas football lands commitment from top defensive end for 2024

Arkansas football receives commitment from top-rated defensive end, Kavion Henderson, for 2024 class.

Following an embarrassing 21-19 loss to Liberty on Saturday, Sam Pittman and Arkansas football were in desperate need of some good news.

On Sunday, that came in the form of Kavion Henderson, a four-star defensive lineman out of Alabama, announcing his commitment to the Hogs via Twitter.

Henderson, a product of Leeds High in Alabama, chose Arkansas over Georgia, Oklahoma, Auburn and Cincinnati.

“They (Arkansas) think I can come up there and change the game, get the edge position because they’re not known for having a lot of edge guys,” Henderson told ESPN shortly after committing.

“Georgia already got what they want,” he said. “They already have the edge guys. Arkansas, I want to go somewhere to help. I want to help out and I want to build. I want to make an impact, so I think Arkansas was the right place.”

Through the years Arkansas has struggled with defensive line recruiting when compared to other programs in the SEC. Henderson’s commitment shows that Sam Pittman and his staff are starting to make some headway changing that.

The 6-foot-3, 255 pound Henderson is the Hogs’ highest rated recruit since 2016 and the first commitment for their 2024 class following the de-commitment of Braylen Russell, a four-star running back from Benton (Ark.).

Arkansas football currently has the No. 16 ranked recruiting class for 2023 and if Sunday is any indication, Sam Pittman may be setting up for an even bigger 2024.

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Alabama, Georgia lead the way in the 2023 recruiting rankings

Checking in on Arkansas’ 2023 class and where they rank among their peers.

The calendar turns to the month of November which means we are just over a month away from the early signing period in mid-December.

While there is still a month of football games left on the regular season slate, coaches and support staff are looking to make waves on the recruiting trail. Some classes need a few spots filled, while others have a lot of work to do in the coming months.

With Nov. 1 now upon us, we look at the updated 2023 recruiting rankings in the SEC according to 247Sports composite team rankings.

Three Arkansas Football commits to compete in prestigious all-star game

Three Razorback pledges will be representing their home state of Alabama in December.

Three Arkansas pledges for the 2023 recruiting cycle will represent their home state this December in an annual all-star game.

The Alabama High School Athletic Association recently revealed the rosters for the 36th annual Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic, and Team Alabama features three current Arkansas commits.

Defensive backs [autotag]Dallas Young[/autotag] and [autotag]T.J. Metcalf[/autotag], as wide receiver [autotag]Davion Dozier[/autotag] are among 40 players selected to compete for Team Alabama at the annual all-star game that will take place on Saturday, December 10 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, located at the University of South Alabama.

Through nine games, Dozier is the leading receiver for Moody High School, which is coached by former Georgia linebacker Jake Ganus. Dozier has reeled in 41 catches for 17 touchdowns for the Blue Devils.  Metcalf, who is also coached by a former SEC player Lee Guess, is currently having a great season at Pinson Valley High School.

Young has been a vital part of Gardendale High School’s success this season. The Rockets are currently 6-2 overall and will compete for the 6A Region 5 championship this Friday night against Mountain Brook High School.

Arkansas currently ranks No. 17 in the 2023 recruiting rankings by 247Sports with 17 total commitments.

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Four-star RB decommits from Arkansas

Arkansas is back to square one after losing a commit from the 2024 recruiting cycle.

The Arkansas Razorbacks are back to square one in their recruiting efforts for the 2024 recruiting cycle, as their lone commit from the class has reopened his recruitment.

Braylen Russell, a four-star running back from Benton High School, revealed his intention to de-commit from Arkansas on Sunday. With Russell’s de-commitment, Arkansas now has zero commits for the 2024 cycle.

Russell committed to Arkansas on Nov. 6, 2021, and has received offers from Tennessee and Ole Miss since pledging to Arkansas. He is the No. 2 running back in the state of Arkansas for the class of 2024, and the No. 15 overall running back.

Arkansas is in good standing for the 2023 cycle. The Razorbacks have 23 commits and rank No 17 in 247Sports’ Composite Rankings.

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Four Razorbacks earn spot on On3’s Transfer Portal weekly power rankings

Arkansas is getting a great return on its transfer portal investment, as proven on the field each week.

Whenever a College Football program dips into the transfer portal to recruit talent for their roster, it is always seen as a risk.

In the case of Arkansas Football, they have proven every week during the 2022 season that they have invested well.

Through three games, Arkansas has gotten valuable production from six players that were brought into the program from the transfer portal, and four of them have been listed on On3’s Transfer Portal power rankings, which are updated weekly.

Linebacker [autotag]Drew Sanders[/autotag], cornerback [autotag]Dwight McGlothern[/autotag], as well as defensive linemen [autotag]Jordan Domineck[/autotag] and [autotag]Landon Jackson[/autotag] are all honored by On3 this week for their immediate impact for the Razorback defense.

Each of the above-mentioned players is listed in their respective position’s power rankings, but Drew Sanders leads the pack by being listed in the outlet’s overall power rankings, checking in at No. 5 this week.

Sanders has already eclipsed his numbers from his two seasons at Alabama in just three games. He enters week four with 28 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.

Here is a rundown of where Arkansas’ key transfer land in this week’s power rankings.

Last year win against Texas and Texas A&M helped Arkansas recruiting

Sam Pittman acknowledges the importance of winning in Texas against a Texas school.

Texas forever lives as one of the most lucrative and rich-in-talent hotbeds in college football recruiting. So defeating a Texas school in Texas makes out-of-state programs’ recruiting pitches more enticing.

Sam Pittman believes the 20-10 win over Texas A&M last year was very important in the Razorbacks’ recruiting landscape.

“I think it was really important to us because we had been fortunate enough to beat Texas,” Pittman said about the back-to-back win against the biggest football schools in Texas. 

“To come back and beat Texas A&M, I felt like it would do something for us on a national appearance. And I knew it would help us in recruiting in Texas. I felt like it was a CBS game, and I felt like it would help us in recruiting. I thought it was an important game for us to have as a win.”

Last season the Razorbacks landed one recruit out of Texas in the 2022 class. Arkansas currently has five hard commits out of the state of Texas for their 2023 class, all five players on the defensive side of the ball. 

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Arkansas target Kavion Henderson sets commitment date

Arkansas is in the running to land a 2024 defensive prospect from the state of Alabama.

Arkansas could add depth to the defensive line in the form of a 2024 prospect.

[autotag]Kavion Henderson[/autotag], a four-star defensive lineman from Leeds High School in the metro Birmingham area, shared via Twitter that he will announce his commitment on November 6. He will choose between Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Alabama.

Arkansas was one of the first to offer Henderson, becoming his 11th offer on January 23. The Arkansas offer came after he attended Junior Day during the same weekend.

Are there any leads as to where Henderson could end up? That part is cloudy as of now. Danny West of HawgSports.com has predicted that Henderson ends up at Arkansas, while Parker Thune of OUInsider predicts that Oklahoma will win the sweepstakes. However, On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine believes that Auburn is the front runner, with a 33% forecasted chance to earn his commitment.

Arkansas has had recent success recruiting in the state of Alabama. Currently, three members of Arkansas’ 2023 recruiting class hail from Alabama, specifically the metro Birmingham area.

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Five-star center includes Arkansas in top five list

Baye Fall is the No. 10 overall prospect for the 2023 recruiting cycle according to On3.

After a successful 2022 cycle, the Arkansas Razorbacks are looking to keep the momentum going on the recruiting trail by adding a talented big man to their roster.

[autotag]Baye Fall[/autotag], a 6-foot-10 center and a member of the class of 2023 from Denver, Colorado, recently revealed his top schools, with Arkansas making the cut.

When discussing Arkansas, Fall tells On3’s Joe Tipton that Arkansas has an electric feel to it.

“Arkansas is like a transition team. They run a lot, and I like how they run. How they let their guys play free, I love that about them,” Fall said. “I mess with the coaching staff and I like the energy out there. I really love the energy.”

The energy, as well as the relationship that he has developed with the Arkansas coaching staff, has made an impression on Fall. According to both On3 and 247Sports, Arkansas is the top candidate to earn Fall’s commitment.

Fall is the No. 1 player in the state of Colorado, and is the top center in the nation according to On3. In addition to Arkansas, Fall is considering Auburn, Colorado, Kansas State, Rutgers, Seton Hall, and Texas. Arkansas currently has one commit for the 2023 cycle in four-star point guard [autotag]Layden Blocker[/autotag].

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Four-star forward lists Arkansas in top five

Daylin Swain, a four-star forward from the class of 2023, has included Arkansas in his top five college choices.

The no. 2 small forward from Ohio is considering Arkansas as his college destination.

However, this is not your usual top five, as this prospect has yet to receive an official offer from Arkansas.

[autotag]Dailyn Swain[/autotag], the nation’s no. 17 small forward from Columbus Africentric Early College in Columbus, Ohio, has listed Arkansas among his top schools, joining Arizona State, Clemson, Xavier, and hometown program Ohio State.

Despite not receiving an offer from [autotag]Eric Musselman[/autotag] and the Arkansas staff, he likes how the program has developed talent recently.

“Arkansas is a great program and I like their play style a lot,” Swain said in a recent interview with On3. “Coach (Eric) Musselman has produced a lot of talent in the past couple of years. I am hoping to set up a visit with them soon.”

When looking for a school, Swain, like most prospects, wants to make an impact early.

“I want to go to a school where I can come in and play, make an impact,” Swain said. “Winning is big too. I wouldn’t say location really matters to me, but fit. Player development is a big piece for me too.”

According to On3’s national recruiting analyst, Jamie Shaw, Swain is comfortable with the basketball in his hands and is very unselfish. However, he needs to add weight and become more aggressive to reach his full potential.

As of this post, in-state schools Ohio State and Xavier are the programs in the running to land him, with the Buckeyes holding a slight edge according to On3.

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Four-Star forward Asa Newell aims to make unofficial visit to Arkansas

Arkansas basketball appears to be in on a solid talent for the future.

One summer can change a prospect’s life.

Asa Newell is going through that process currently, rising in the rankings after contributing to the USA U17 Men’s 2022 World Championship.

“Playing for Team USA has been a blessing,” Newell told ON3. “It was an amazing opportunity to play with these guys. Basketball is a blessing and can take you to so many places. It’s an incredible experience.”

Newell is considered one of the best power forwards in the country and has decided to transfer to Montverdere Acadamy(FL) this upcoming fall.

The Atlanta-born prospect has already made unofficial visits to SEC schools, but Newell is looking forward to making a trip to Fayetteville soon.

“Coach (Eric) Musselman is so energetic,” he said. “I feel like he really loves the game and cares for the players. They made a run in March Madness and are recruiting at a high level. They are a program on the come up, and I want to get over there and see what they have to offer.”

Like every top recruit, Newell’s goal is to get to the NBA. A school that can help him make that transition, along with loyalty and commitment, will get a prospect with high potential.