All Hogs

Arkansas Junior Day Attracts Recruits Across Country

Pittman and staff host more than 50 prospects over 3-day span

Jacob Davis

Arkansas Junior Day Attracts Recruits Across Country
Arkansas Junior Day Attracts Recruits Across Country /

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Razorback coaching staff continued targeting high-level prospects after a losing 2023 season. With the 2024 class signed and most already on campus, Sam Pittman and his staff have moved onto evaluating 2025, 2026 and even 2027 prospects.

One of the top players in the class of 2026 is KJ Edwards from Carthage, Texas. The 4-star ranks No. 96 in his class, is the No. 6 running back and No. 13 prospect in the Lone Star state. He tells allHogs that his visit went great and looks to visit again.

“I enjoyed it,” Edwards said. “The vibes and energy were good. The 100% graduation rate is one of the main things that stood out; that I could tell everyone is one big family. I enjoyed the good vibes and hospitality. I will definitely be back.”

Edwards, 5-foot-9, 175 pounds, electrified East Texas as a sophomore rushing for 1,706 yards and 24 touchdowns while averaging 10 yards per carry. He led the Bulldogs to a 13-1 record and a berth in the Texas 4A, Division II state quarterfinals.

He holds 11 offers from the likes of Arkansas, Baylor, Georgia, Houston, Oklahoma State and SMU.

Carthage’s program is one of Texas’ best at producing high-level prospects. Arkansas currently has Ty’kieast Crawford from the school. Former wide receiver commit, Kelvontay Dixon pledged to the Razorbacks, but signed with Texas after the firing of Chad Morris.

2026 defensive end Hunter Higgins already has impressive size at 6-foot-5, 230 pounds. He visited the Razorbacks Sunday and left with an offer.

“Coach Adams was able to relate to me and my family due to his son going through the same process of recruiting and him having to find the school for him,” Higgins said. “I enjoyed Fayetteville a lot, and I think it checked a lot of boxes for me!”

Higgins holds offers from several schools in the Big 12 footprint including Oklahoma State, Kansas, Kansas State and Texas Tech. New SEC addition Oklahoma and USC are also in on the Wichita, Kansas native.

He tells allHogs a return trip to Fayetteville is in the works. The plan is to come for a game during season, another junior day or regular visit.

Shreveport, Louisiana offensive lineman Lionel Prudhomme {6-foot-3, 295) was around for Saturday and Sunday. He is currently a 3-star who is the No. 32 ranked interior lineman in the 2025 class. He currently holds offers from Arkansas, Missouri, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and a dozen others.

Prudhomme left impressed with Arkansas’ environment, facilities and new offensive line coach Eric Mateos.

“The environment was energetic,” Prudhomme said. “All the staff and coaches showed love. Nothing really surprised me because it was exactly like Coach Mateos said it would be. The facilities were looking great. Arkansas has definitely made a great first impression on me."

Current 6-foot-5, 300 pound LSU offensive line commit Devin Harper made a trip this weekend. The 4-star is also from Shreveport and attends Calvary Baptist Academy.

Harper committed to the Tigers in January over Georgia and Tennessee. 247sports composite ranks him as the No. 87 prospect in the 2025 class, the No. 5 interior offensive lineman and No. 3 player in Louisiana.

The Razorbacks are not one of the 20+ offers even though he visited over the weekend. Mississippi State, Michigan State, Florida, Florida State, Missouri, Ole Miss and SMU.

Huntsville, Alabama native Grayshaun Swain, a 6-foot-3, 220 pound 4-star defensive end, was offered by Arkansas during a Junior Day in January. Swain holds a solid offer list which consists of Auburn, Florida State, Louisville, Missouri, Mississippi State and Tennessee.

He returned for a Junior Day visit Sunday. Special teams coordinator Scott Fountain is his lead recruiter.

Denton, Texas 4-star offensive tackle Marcus Garcia visited Fayetteville Sunday. The 6-foot-5, 265 pounder ranks No. 323 prospect in the 2025 class, according to 247sports composite rankings.

He was offered by Arkansas back on Jan. 7 by Eric Mateos. The highly regarded lineman holds offers from nearly 30 FBS programs including Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Penn State, TCU and Texas A&M.

One of the nation's speediest receivers in 2025 is Jacob Washington. The 6-foot-3, 180 pound Marrero, Louisiana native sits just outside 4-star status as the No. 476 prospect in his class, per 247sports Composite rankings. Washington is the No. 70 wide receiver and No. 18 player in the state.

He reports a 4.4 second 40-yard dash while also posting an 11.53 second 100-meter dash as a sophomore. He received an offer from Arkansas in late January from new receivers coach Ronnie Fouch. Washington also holds offers from Ole Miss, Miami, Mississippi State, Missouri, UCF and Penn State.

The Razorbacks also hosted one of the most productive JUCO running backs in nation. Tyrell Reed is a 5-foot-9, 195 pound tailback out of Hutchinson Community College.

247sports ranks him as the No 142 prospect, No. 4 running back and No. 32 JUCO player in Kansas. As a true freshman, Reed had 132 carries for 833 yards. His 13 touchdowns ranked No. 4 in JUCO. 

Reed helped Hutchinson’s backfield to a No. 7 finish in rushing yards at 187 yards per contest. Its 27 touchdowns finished fourth.

According to Reed, he had a great time in Fayetteville and said he could be a great addition to the room.

“Really loved the atomosphere of Fayetteville,” Reed said. “As soon as I stepped in the door everyone was getting after it at practice competing, and that’s what I love.

“I also loved how new running back coach [Kolby Smith] introduced himself. I can see a successful year happening with his energy, and hopefully I could be another addition adding speed to the running backs room.”

Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino is Reed’s primary recruiter. He is currently a full qualifier as a freshman and can transfer following the spring semester.

HOG FEED:

• Error opens floodgates for Arkansas sweep of McNeese State

• Razorbacks now face Vandy for one last hurrah just after losing to Commodores inside Bud Walton

• It's becoming clear with running backs coach hire Bobby Petrino running the offense, which is a good thing

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Jacob Davis
JACOB DAVIS