First day of early signing period: Razorbacks sign 24 players.
FAYETTEVILLE: On the first day of the football early national signing period, which began on Wednesday, the Arkansas Razorbacks signed 16 high school players and eight college transfers.
According to 247Sports, Arkansas’ class of high school signees is rated 14th in the Southeastern Conference and 28th nationally. When Texas and Oklahoma join the SEC next season, the conference will have 16 teams total.
According to 247Sports, the Razorbacks’ transfer class is rated sixth in the SEC and 16th nationally, with room for growth. The transfer site for the NCAA will return in the spring after being open through early January.
With just 16 high school recruits signed, Arkansas will have room to add a few more transfers to bolster its experience base after finishing the previous season with a 4-8 overall record and a 1-7 record in SEC play.
Two four-star prospects from Arkansas, running back Braylen Russell of Benton and defensive lineman Charleston Collins of Little Rock Mills, are the centrepiece of the Razorbacks’ high school class.
Receiver Courtney Crutchfield of Pine Bluff, a third 4-star prospect in the state, had committed to the Razorbacks before signing with Missouri, a conference foe.
Quarterback KJ Jackson from Saint James School in Montgomery, Alabama; receiver Ashton Bethel-Roman from Ridge Point High School in Missouri City, Texas; and cornerback Selman Bridges from Lake Belton High School in Temple, Texas are the other four-star recruits.
According to 247Sports, Collins is the only signee in the class ranked in the top 100 overall. According to the magazine, Bridges is the tenth-best player in his position.
Arkansas produced five signees, Russell and Collins included. Along with these additions, the Razorbacks added linebacker Wyatt Simmons from Harding Academy, offensive lineman Kobe Branham from Fort Smith Southside, and receiver CJ Brown from Bentonville.
Four Texas high school athletes were signed by Arkansas: Bethel-Roman, Bridges, cornerback Ahkhari Johnson from Pleasant Grove High School in Texarkana, and Aledo native Jaden Allen.
Three Alabama high school players and one each from Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi, and Kentucky were signed by the Razorbacks.
