By Otis Kirk
Arkansas signed 21 recruits during the early signing period leaving them eight spots in the Class of 2019.
The Razorbacks also have six committed prospects who didn’t sign early. Will all six of the committed ones sign with Arkansas on Feb. 6? It’s possible, but history says all six probably won’t.
Inside the state, Arkansas will sign the two best players in the Class of 2019 on Feb. 6. Pulaski Academy tight end Hudson Henry and Warren wide receiver Treylon Burks chose to wait until Feb. 6 to sign at same time some friends do. They are two of the best players to ever come out of Arkansas in the same year.
Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Blackman cornerback Adonis Otey and Phenix City (Ala.) Central running back A’Montae Spivey chose to sign late so they could take some other visits. At this point, it appears both will sign with the Hogs.
Arkansas also has commitments from Pflugerville (Texas) Hendrickson safety Myles Brooks and Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove defensive end Dante Walker. Walker is a talented pass rusher who would give the Hogs a lift off the edge.
Arkansas is still recruiting some players who are uncommitted to them as well. Mansfield (Texas) Legacy safety Jalen Catalon is someone the Hogs are recruiting hard. They would love to have him join Enoch Jackson and Taurean Carter from that school in this class. Texas seems to be the biggest competition with TCU and Oklahoma also mentioned.
Dodge City (Kan.) Community College linebacker Lakia Henry is committed to Tennessee, but has visited Arkansas and has them on his list. It appears the Hogs have a great shot at flipping Henry who would play alongside De’Jon Harris in 2019.
Arkansas is also recruiting Dyersburg (Tenn.) High School linebacker Chris Russell. He is someone who saw his recruiting takeoff in recent weeks. Arkansas was the first SEC offer, but Tennessee, Auburn and other schools have offered since then. A scenario to watch is Henry flips to Arkansas and Russell goes to Tennessee.
Arkansas is also very likely to add a graduate transfer at quarterback. This week, it has been announced that Buffalo quarterback Tyree Jackson has entered his name into the NCAA Transfer Portal. He is a 6-foot-7, 245-pound dual-threat who didn’t run as much at Buffalo as he probably would with Hogs. Buffalo didn’t want him running as much due to threat of injury.
Notre Dame quarterback Brandon Wimbush is another grad transfer expected to transfer after the College Football Playoffs. Wimbush is from New Jersey while Jackson is from Michigan, but they fit what Chad Morris is looking for to run his offense.
Here’s a look at where Hogs are right now as far as Class of 2019.
Quarterback (1 signed and will very likely add one more)
KJ Jefferson, 6-3, 211, Sardis (Miss.) North Panola
Running Back (0 signed and will add one)
Arkansas will add one in this class and they expect it to be A’Montae Spivey.
Wide Receiver (3 signed and will add one more)
TQ Jackson, 6-4, 195, Jefferson (Texas)
Trey Knox, 6-5, 218, Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Blackman
Shamar Nash, 6-3, 194, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
Treylon Burks will sign on Feb. 6 with the Hogs.
Tight End (0 signed and will add one)
Hudson Henry will sign on Feb. 6 with Arkansas.
Offensive Line (6 signed)
Myron Cunningham, 6-6, 300, Iowa Central Community College
Brady Latham, 6-5, 290, Jenks (Okla.)
Beaux Limmer, 6-5, 270, Tyler (Texas) Lee
Chibueze Nwanna, 6-7, 315, Lackawanna (Pa.) Community College
Dylan Rathcke, 6-5, 290, Baton Rouge (La.) University Lab
Ricky Stromberg, 6-4, 280, Tulsa (Okla.) Union
Defensive Line (7 signed and could add one more)
Taurean Carter, 6-3, 263, Mansfield (Texas) Legacy
Enoch Jackson Jr., 6-0, 290, Mansfield (Texas) Legacy
Collin Clay, 6-5, 261, Putnam City (Okla.) North
Eric Gregory, 6-4, 270, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
Marcus Miller, 6-5, 300, Warren
Mataio Soli, 6-4, 230, Douglasville (Ga.) Douglas County
Zach Williams, 6-4, 235, Joe T. Robinson
Dante Walker has committed to Arkansas, but will sign late.
Linebacker (1 signed and expected to add one more)
Zach Zimos, 6-4, 210, Richmond (Texas) Fort Bend Travis
Arkansas is hoping to sign Lakia Henry on Feb. 6. Chris Russell also in the conversation.
Defensive Back (3 signed and expected to add 2-3 more)
Gregory Brooks Jr, 5-11, 178, Harvey (La.) West Jefferson
Malik Chavis, 6-2, 187, Rison
Devin Bush, 6-1, 190, New Orleans (La.) Edna Karr
Arkansas also has commitments from Myles Brooks and Adonis Otey. They also hope to sign Jalen Catalon.
Preferred Walk-on Offers
Andrew Vest, OL, 6-6, 305, Searcy (Committed and will enroll at midterm)
Logan Kallesen, OL, 6-4, 295, Shiloh Christian
Jake Steward, OL, 6-5, 305, Gardner-Edgerton (Kan.)
Luke Rizzo, Deep Snapper, 6-2, 220, Conroe (Texas) The Woodlands
Jovoni Johnson, QB, 6-5, 205, Conway
Darius Bowers, QB, 6-3, 194, Fayetteville
John David White, WR, 6-0, 185, Pulaski Academy
Finnegan Corwin, WR, 5-10, 165, Highland Park (Texas)
Richard Hunt, TE, 6-7, 232, Memphis (Tenn.) Briarcrest
Logan Orr, LB, 6-2, 220, Jonesboro
Zhane Harper, DB, 6-0, 173, Cabot
Noah Rauschenberg, K, 6-2, 197, Tulsa Union