Arkansas Razorbacks commit Kobe Branham's stock continues to rise

Branham is one of four in-state commits in Arkansas' 2024 class

By Kyle Sutherland 

Kobe Branham's recruitment took some time to get in a groove, but there was zero doubt he wanted to be an Arkansas Razorback in the end. 

The 6-foot-5, 320-pound agile offensive lineman from Fort Smith Southside gave his pledge to the Hogs Monday. He is listed as a three-star prospect and the 66th-best inside offensive lineman for the 2024 class per the 247Sports composite rankings. Branham currently plays offensive guard for the Mavericks after beginning his career at tackle and projects as a guard or center at the next level.

Arkansas extended its offer to Branham on March 12. The Hogs were his last of five official visits on June 23 and he gave his pledge three days later. He picked Arkansas over Air Force, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, and SMU. 

"I went to other schools that I did not know as much about, and they impressed me," Branham said. "I wanted to take the Arkansas visit to make sure that was the place I wanted to go, but down deep I knew that was probably where I was going to go."

Former Arkansas head coach, now Texas A&M offensive coordinator, Bobby Petrino was the primary recruiter when the Aggies became Branham's first offer. 

"He was very nice to me and called quite a bit to check in and would also text my parents," Branham said. 

It has been a common theme throughout Razorback history to see offensive linemen who may not have received high accolades as a recruit, only to develop and make themselves known.

The first that comes to mind for most is Brandon Burlsworth who everyone now knows as the greatest walk-on in college football history that went on to become a third round draft pick in 1999 before tragically passing away in a car wreck less than two weeks later. 

More recently, Jonathan Luigs was a two-star prospect coming out of Pulaski Academy in 2004. He became a three-time All-SEC selection, and won the 2007 Rimington Trophy as the nation's top center while also being tabbed a consensus All-American that year.

While Branham has a long way to go before reaching those types of levels, Southside head coach Kim Dameron believes he is far from hitting his ceiling.

"It is going to depend a lot of what he does when he gets there," Dameron said. "He will be one of the hardes- working kids they have and will learn fast. We are just trying to give him a chance to where he can compete at that level, and if he can compete in the SEC then he will give himself a chance."

Dameron knows what high-level players look like. He played for the Razorbacks under Lou Holtz from 1979-82 and prior to being hired by Southside in June of 2020, the Northwest Arkansas native built a long resume of collegiate experience, starting as a graduate assistant for Arkansas in 1983. He was the head coach at Eastern Illinois from 2014-2018 before spending the 2019 season as a senior defensive analyst at Kansas. 

One of Dameron's stops included Cincinnati from 1996-98 under Rick Minter, and he coached with Sam Pittman on that staff during the 1996 season. Dameron sees many similarities in what Arkansas does under Pittman which is a positive for Branham when he does make the move to college ball.

"We run zone schemes and a lot of things similar to what they do up on The Hill," Dameron said. "Sam is an o-line guy, so Kobe is going into a situation that really could not be much better for offensive linemen."

Pittman has made a reputation of being one of the best at relating to his players, especially the offensive line, a group he has spent the majority of his career coaching. Branham mentioned it is a positive how Pittman and offensive live coach Cody Kennedy complement each other so well. 

"They are very similar and diehard Hogs for sure," Branham said. "They do a lot of things outside of football to build relationships."

Of Arkansas' 13 commitments for the 2024 class, Branham is one of four native Arkansans along with C.J. Brown (Bentonville), Charlie Collins (Mills), and Courtney Crutchfield (Pine Bluff). 

While it is special for in-state prospects to stay home, Branham mentioned one of his goals is for players from outside of the state to understand the privilege of being a part of the Arkansas program.

"That is one of the good things about keeping in-state talent," Branham said. "If you have a guy who comes from Georgia, one of the guys from Arkansas can build a relationship with him and show him what it means to be a Hog. I think it makes for an even better team."