FAYETTEVILLE -- The first full day for Ryan Silverfield on the job saw him land four 4-star recruits inside the state who were all headed for out-of-state schools prior to his hiring.
The four are Little Rock Central defensive tackle Anthony Kennedy, 6-6, 313, Cross County defensive lineman Danny Beale, 6-4, 300, and the Bryant pair of running back TJ Hodges, 6-1, 180, and linebacker Jakore Smith, 6-1, 195. Kennedy has been committed first to Missouri then Miami. Beale was pledged to Oklahoma State before Mike Gundy was fired. Hodges flipped to the Hogs from Missouri while Nelson was originally pledged to Oklahoma before decommitting recently.
Some of the recruiting services have Beale ranked the state's top recruit. When he reopened his recruiting Ole Miss, Missouri and others pounced on him trying to get a commitment.
Kennedy spent his senior season at Little Rock Central after previously playing at Little Rock Southwest in 2023 and Maumelle 2024. As a senior, Kennedy finished with 61 tackles, 18 for loss, 2 sacks, 14 quarterback hurries and a pair of forced fumbles.
Hodges previously played at Marked Tree prior to the move to Bryant. So far this season, Hodges has rushed 108 times for 900 yards and 7 touchdowns. He has 8 receptions for 142 yards and 3 touchdowns. In 2024 at Marked Tree, Hodges rushed 156 times for 1,752 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also grabbed 10 passes for 171 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Smith came to Bryant from Little Rock Parkview. Thus far this season Smith has 60 tackles, 18 for loss, 3 interceptions, a trio of fumble recoveries and has scored a pair of defensive touchdowns.
Smith and Hodges along with their Bryant teammates will face Bentonville for the Class 7A state championship Friday night at Little Rock's War Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. Bentonville also has a pair of future Hogs. Both are wide receivers. Dequane Prevo, 5-10, 170, and Blair Irvin III, 6-1, 180.
Sources indicate that Silverfield has intentions to reach out to Greenwood quarterback Kane Archer, 6-1 1/2, 211, as well. Archer is committed to Utah, but has no offer to the Hogs under Sam Pittman and Bobby Petrino. Archer is 38-0 as a starter for the Bulldogs and they will face Shiloh Christian on Saturday night at War Memorial at 6:30 for the Class 6A state title. Greenwood defeated the Saints during the regular season.
Others who may have Silverfield's attention are Bryant edge Matt Nelson, 6-5, 230, who is committed to Oklahoma; Rogers linebacker Braxton Lindsey, 6-3, 230, who is pledged to BYU, and then Bauxite offensive lineman Evan Goodwin, 6-7, 320, who is currently headed to SMU.
Three players who were committed to Arkansas, but decommitted on Monday were Hollywood Chaminade Madonna (Fla.) offensive lineman Ashley Walker, 6-7, 290, Shrevport (La.) Evangel fullback Ashton Dawson, 6-2, 285, and Farmerville (La.) Union Parish defensive lineman Ari Slocum, 6-3, 330.
Arkansas currently has 14 commitments. The Razorbacks appear set to get Greenville (S.C.) Christ Church Episcopal 3-star wide receiver Jude Hall, 6-4, 200, who decommitted from Memphis on Monday. He was immediately offered by Silverfield. This season, Hall completed 1 of 1 passes for 52 yards and a touchdown. He caught 42 passes for 879 yards and 12 touchdowns. On defense, Hall had 15 tackles, 12 solo, a pair of interceptions while breaking up a pass. He had 119 punt return yards on 11 tries. He did return a pair of kickoffs for 15 yards.
The early signing period runs Dec. 3-5.