Tue December 19, 2023

By Lance Hawley

Hogs Expected to Sign at Least 24
By Otis Kirk

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas is set to have an early Christmas on Wednesday as the early signing period begins and runs for three days.

The Razorbacks enter Wednesday with 16 high school commitments and eight from the transfer portal. Arkansas was still awaiting a decision from a four-star linebacker in the high school ranks on Tuesday night.

The Hogs added two SEC transfers on Tuesday including a former five-star linebacker and four-star offensive lineman. The Hogs landed former Georgia linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr, 6-3, 230, and former Tennessee center Addison Nichols, 6-5, 327. Sorey visited Arkansas this past Tuesday and Wednesday. Nichols visited this past weekend. He chose Arkansas over Clemson and Georgia Tech.

The news wasn't all good for Arkansas though on Monday and Tuesday. On Monday, Decatur (Ga.) Columbia four-star athlete Jadan Baugh, 6-1, 217, decommitted. He has visited Florida numerous times in recent weeks. In addition Pine Bluff four-star wide receiver Courtney Crutchfield, 6-2, 175, who was once committed to Arkansas, but had since decommitted. He opted for Missouri on Tuesday morning over Arkansas and others.

Baugh was targeted for running back at Arkansas. The Hogs will be signing Benton four-star standout Braylen Russell, 6-2, 230. Russell chose Arkansas over Tennessee, South Carolina and many others. He spent his sophomore season at Lakeside in Hot Springs, but played his junior and senior seasons at Benton. Russell is capable of stepping in and helping early on with the Hogs.

From the high school ranks, Arkansas has a quarterback, running back, two wide receivers and a pair of offensive linemen pledged. On defense, the Hogs have two ends, a pair of linebackers, an athlete and five defensive backs.

The portal has given the Hogs a kicker, one quarterback, a tight end, three offensive linemen, a linebacker and one defensive back.

Arkansas landed former Boise State quarterback Taylen Green, 6-6, 221, to complete with Jacolby Criswell, Malachi Singleton and KJ Jackson at quarterback. Jackson, 6-3, 215, is a true freshman also set to sign Wednesday.

The offensive line has gotten a great boost from former San Jose State offensive tackle Fernando Carmona, 6-5, 315, Michigan State's Keyshawn Blackstock, 6-5, 315, and Nichols.

Arkansas is awaiting word on Hoover (Ala.) four-star linebacker Bradley Shaw, 6-1, 216. He is down to the Hogs and Clemson after eliminating Alabama and Auburn.

Arkansas' Expected Signees

Kavion Henderson, DL-Edge, 6-3, 250, Leeds (Ala.) 
Julius "JuJu" Pope, LB-ATH, 6-2, 195, Batesville South Panola (Miss.)
KJ Jackson, QB, 6-3, 215, Montgomery St. James, Ala.
Jaden Allen, CB, 5-10, 165, Aledo, Texas
Charlie Collins, DL, 6-5, 265, Mills 
Tevis Metcalf, CB, 5-10, 178, Birmingham Parker, Ala.
Ahkhari Johnson, CB, 5-11, 185, Texarkana (Texas) Pleasant Grove 
CJ Brown, WR, 6-1, 185, Bentonville 
Kobe Branham, OG, 6-7, 330, Fort Smith Southside 
Zuri Madison, OG-C, 6-5, 305, Lexington Frederick Douglass, Ky 
Ashton Bethel-Roman, WR, 6-1, 170, Missouri City Ridge Point, Texas 
Braylen Russell, RB, 6-2, 230, Benton 
Selman Bridges, CB, 6-4, 170, Temple Lake Belton, Texas 
Jeremy Cook, S, 6-3, 195, Hoover, Ala. 
Justin Logan, LB, 6-3, 215, Marietta Kell, Ga. 
Wyatt Simmons, LB, 6-3, 215, Harding Academy 

Keyshawn Blackstock, OL, 6-5, 315, Michigan State
Taylen Green, QB, 6-6, 221, Boise State
Andreas Paaske, TE, 6-6, 255, Eastern Michigan
Fernando Carmona, OT, 6-5, 315, San Jose State
Matthew Taylor, K, 6-1, 190, Hawaii
Doneiko Slaughter, DB, 6-0, 190, Tennessee
Addison Nichols, OL, 6-5, 327, Tennessee
Xavian Sorey Jr, LB, 6-3, 230, Georgia

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