Arkansas Football: Top Newcomers to Watch in 2020

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

From hope to despair and now back to optimism, that has been the last two years for the Arkansas fanbase and a snapshot of how the 2020 recruiting class ebbed and flowed. As the 2019 college football season got going, the former Razorbacks coaching staff was putting together what could have been a Top 25 class. Once head coach Chad Morris was let go on Nov. 10 in the midst of a 2-10 season, that foundation fell apart plummeting the class to a national ranking of 120th. But, a strong surge on the recruiting trail under new head coach Sam Pittman brought a vitality back to the Hogs recruiting rocketing the class up the rankings.

If anyone bet big greenbacks that the Hogs would end up with the nation’s 30th ranked 2020 recruiting class before the early signing period they are either dangerously optimistic or a true soothsayer worth the money for a reading. From the cellar to respectability, Pittman’s staff led by new defensive coordinator Barry Odom, the former Missouri head coach, and new offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, formerly holding the same position at Florida State, got after it signing 21 prospects. The haul was comprised of four four-star recruits and 17 three-star talents, but more potential difference makers were added via the transfer portal.

With need across the board at every position and on both sides of the ball, the incoming talents who are physically and mentally ready for the challenge of playing SEC football will get their chance at Arkansas this year. But which ones have the greatest chance of making an early impact?

2020 Impact Recruits for Arkansas

Julius Coates, DE

Julius Coates was a steal for the Hogs at the early signing period. The East Mississippi Community College standout had offers to 10 other programs including Oregon, Nebraska, and Colorado before calling the Hogs. His size at 6-6, 270, suggests he is ready for the grind and attrition of a season as a strongside defensive end in the SEC. Coates is far bigger than either ends the Hogs had on the field in 2019 (Gabe Richardson and Mataio Soli). With the graduation of defensive tackle McTelvin Agim, Arkansas loses their sack leader (5) leaving an opening Coates can fill. Getting Coates on campus at the winter break is a big plus for the coaching staff.

Myles Slusher, SS

Adding Myles Slusher to the 2020 class was a huge surprise for the die-hard Arkansas fans. The four-star Broken Arrow (OK) talent was a one-time Oregon Ducks commit having a change of heart at the early period decommitting and signing with Arkansas on Dec. 18. Slusher brings versatility with him to Fayetteville as a defensive back who can cover and is a strong open-field tackler. There was a youth movement for Arkansas during the 2019 season in the secondary, other than then strong safety Kamren Curl, who was an NFL early draft entrant. There are spots up for grabs to those who can diagnose and make plays. Slusher is also an early enrollee helping his chances of cracking the two-deep with the potential of earning a starting spot.

Feleipe Franks, QB

Feleipe Franks’ name may ring a bell to some college football fans, he is the former starting quarterback for the Florida Gators. The dual-threat had a breakthrough season as a sophomore in 2018 throwing for 2,457 yards with 24 touchdown passes against six picks while rushing for 350 yards with seven trips into the end zone. Being a grad transfer, Franks can lend his talents to Briles’ offense immediately bringing a veteran leadership to a group of green underclassmen. Arkansas’ QB pool lacked direction and leadership last season after Morris tried to run his offense through two other grad transfers, Nick Starkel (Texas A&M) and Ben Hicks (SMU). Franks will be challenged by KJ Jefferson, J.S. Jones, and Jack Lindsey.

Xavier Kelly, DT

The transfer portal brought another big boost to Arkansas’ depth chart when Xavier Kelly moved from Clemson to the Razorbacks. Kelly, a four-star Class of 2016 defensive end prospect from East High School in Wichita (KS), added size to his frame morphing into a 6-4, 305-pound, tackle for the Tigers. With limited playing time at Clemson, Kelly has a chance to earn a starting spot from the moment he steps onto the field with the Hogs. Not only does Kelly fill a position of need for the Hogs, but he also brings a championship winning mentality with him to the locker room.

Marcus Henderson, OG

Year after year seeing Arkansas bypass the fertile recruiting grounds of west Tennessee has been difficult to understand, but the new staff made a big in-road signing four-star offensive lineman Marcus Henderson. Henderson was highly recruited with 20-plus offers with the opportunity to play at any SEC school of his choosing with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, LSU, and Georgia. The personal ties the Under Armour All-American had with Coach Pittman during his time as the Georgia Bulldogs offensive line coach helped swing his signature on a Nation Letter of Intent Arkansas’ way. The Hogs’ offensive line has been patchwork over the past four years, since Pittman left Fayetteville at the end of the 2015 season. With left guard Austin Capps using up his eligibility, there is a vacant spot that needs to be filled.

Khari Johnson and Jerry Jacobs, CB/NB

Maybe not as heralded as some of the other 2020 recruits, but three-star recruit Khari Johnson can play. Johnson played a plus-one season at Suffield Academy (MA) showcasing his cover skills and abilities against the run. His 6-0, 184-pound, frame and 4.48 speed made him a hot prospect nearing National Signing Day as teams caught onto him with offers from Arkansas State and Georgia coming in January after totaling 36 tackles with five interceptions and 11 passes broken up. Montaric Brown held down one corner spot in 2019, but on the other side of the field there will be a fight this spring and summer to fill that role.

Jerry Jacobs, a grad-transfer from Arkansas State, brings more veteran leadership to a group filled with underclassmen. Not only may Jacobs and Johnson fight for a starting spot at corner, but either one could fight against starting sophomore nickelback Greg Brooks Jr. Jacobs had a big 2018 season racking up 32 stops with four picks. In 2019, opposing Sun Belt Conference teams started going the other way last season.

All Six Linebackers Signed

Speed and athleticism was missing in the box for Arkansas in 2019 with the exception of senior De’Jon Harris. Harris, one of the most productive backers in the SEC with 90 stops last season, is gone opening up a competition this spring. But even returning starting linebackers Bumper Pool and Grant Morgan may be challenged in Odom’s scheme. Arkansas signed five 2020 linebackers, Kelin Burrle, Jashaud Stewart, Catrell Wallace, Jacorrei Turner, and JT Towers while adding former four-star Levi Draper, a transfer from Oklahoma. The linebacking corps has added depth and talent, which ones will be ready to step up at a position of need?

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Photo credit: Saturday Down South; Sam Pittman