FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas has picked up its second Class of 2026 All-America commitment in the past week with a pledge from Cartersville (Ga.) Cass offensive tackle Bear McWhorter.
McWhorter, 6-foot-4, 300-pounds, committed to Arkansas on Sunday. He joins San Diego (Calif.) St. John Bosco defensive back Tay Lockett as a new Razorback. McWhorter talked about why he chose the Hogs.
"I would say just the guys up there. Coach (Sam) Pittman and Coach (Cody) Kennedy are special coaches out there. That's who I want to go get to know by. I think that is who will give me best shot at getting to the next level.
"Not only that, but just the area. Fayetteville, the campus, my sister is going to be up there with me. The people, everything up there, just felt right. Felt like home."
When he was younger, McWhorter took out a billboard saying he wanted to be a Razorback. Click here for the billboard. McWhorter talked about when he first knew he wanted to be a Razorback.
“It has been a really long time,” McWhorter said. “I think originally I felt it when I went up there for my first time before my eighth-grade year. It started for me early, but the recruiting process felt long and hard. After this summer visit, this previous summer, is when I really decided this is where I’m going to go. So I gave it a few weeks and I finally decided go ahead announce it and make the decision.”
For someone who hasn't seen you play or at these camps what do you do well on the field?
"I would say my lateral quickness and my flexibility," McWhorter said. "My ability to move around in the box, find a linebacker and kick out on ends. My pass pro as well. I've never given up a sack in my high school career. And I'm going to continue to do so."
McWhorter has approximately 20 offers including many of the national powers. Among his offers are such SEC schools as Alabama, Georgia, Auburn, Florida, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Texas. Many other national powers such as Penn State, Florida State and others.
Click here for the MaxPreps Preseason Class of 2026 All-America team. The Razorbacks also have 18 commitments for 2024 and two in 2025.
Photo by Otis Kirk