FAYETTEVILLE -- Class of 2026 defensive back Tay Lockett is going to play his senior season at Conway High School before heading to the University of Arkansas at midterm.

It will be Lockett's third high school. He spent his freshman year and last season at San Diego (Calif.) University City while previously playing at Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco as a sophomore. Lockett was the first recruit to commit to Arkansas in the Class of 2026. Lockett, 6-11, 185, committed to the Razorbacks on August 24, 2023.

As a junior, Lockett finished with 107 tackles, 66 solo, 3 for loss, 2 interceptions with one returned for a touchdown, 5 pass breakups, 1 fumble recovery, a forced fumble and 5 punt returns for 117 yards and a touchdown.

Greg Biggins, a national recruiting analyst for 247Sports wrote the following evaluation of Lockett.

"Highly productive player who has a nose for the football. Totaled 12 interceptions the last two seasons and shows a lot of range, ball skills and ball awareness. More quick than fast, can really break on the ball, shows a lot of range and has very good ball skills. Super instinctive kid, right place/right time and knows how to position himself to make plays. Want to see fill out some and continue to add more speed and explosiveness to his game but has all the tools to be a very good player at the next level."

In three years of high school, Lockett has played in 38 games with his team winning 31 of them. On defense, he has accumulated 248 tackles, 14 interceptions, 17 pass deflections, 5 forced fumbles and 6 fumble recoveries. In one season of playing offense, Lockett caught 33 passes for 526 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Arkansas currently has 27 commitments for the Class of 2026.