Arkansas Football: Top Razorbacks 2020 Newcomers to Watch
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
A new era in Razorback football began on December 8, 2019, when Georgia offensive line coach Sam Pittman was hired as the new head coach at Arkansas. Pittman returned to familiar stomping grounds after coaching the Hogs’ offensive line from 2013-15 under then head coach Brett Bielema. Following a two-year stint under Chad Morris, Pittman has been tasked to rebuild Arkansas’ program on the gridiron jumping to quick work along the recruiting trail to make it happen.
Although the efforts with recruiting did not pan out in wins for Coach Morris, now the offensive coordinator at Auburn, he was able to string together a highly rated 2019 class ranking 23rd nationally after a 2018 class slotted 45th. In short work, Pittman and staff picked up the pieces of a broken apart effort by Morris’ staff wowing fans with an effort ranked 30th overall by 247Sports. The haul of 21 commitments included four four-stars and 17 three-star prospects.
After back-to-back two-win seasons in Fayetteville, help is needed across the board, even if there are a few dynamic returning pieces for the new coaches to utilize as the Hogs seek their first SEC win since the 2017 schedule this fall.
2020 Arkansas Newcomers to Watch
4-Star FS Myles Slusher (6-0, 190) – Broken Arrow HS (OK)
Myles Slusher came heavy onto the recruiting scene after helping Broken Arrow High School to their first Oklahoma 6A state title (13-0) in 2018. Playing in the Tigers secondary, Slusher racked up 68 stops with three tackles for a loss, and two interceptions earning four-star recruiting status. His senior season was limited to five games, but that did not stop the buzz among collegiate programs with 28 reported offers extended. Slusher’s versatility as a safety, nickel, or even corner could aid in early playing time.
3-Star DE Julius Coates (6-6, 281) – East Mississippi C.C. (MS)
A reminder of how bad things got on the field in 2019, the Hogs finished with the nation’s 124th scoring defense out of 130 Division-I programs. Any help up front against the run and/or putting pressure on the quarterback is needed, and Julius Coates might be the impact player desired. Coates was able to use speed, power, and quickness off the edge against JUCO competition last season coming up with 30 tackles, six sacks, and two forced fumbles in 10 games.
3-Star OG Marcus Henderson (6-5, 300) – Memphis University (TN)
Pittman landing Marcus Henderson was a big early win for the former offensive line coach. Henderson had earned 20-plus offers with a final three of Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee. The Hogs offensive line has been undersized over the last three to four years, and has had difficulty getting a push on running downs. The Under Armour All-American could make a run for a starting spot early or be groomed for a mid-season job as a starter once all the rough edges have been fine-tuned.
3-Star CB Khari Johnson (6-0, 185) – Suffield Academy (CT)
Khari Johnson may not have the recruiting hype behind him as some of his peers, but the Suffield Academy standout has as much upside as anyone signed in the 2020 class. A late bloomer on the recruiting trail, Johnson ended the 2019 season with 36 tackles, 11 passes broken up, five picks – one pick-six, and forced two fumbles. His 4.48 speed to come up against the run and to cover elite SEC receivers is needed.
3-Star OG Jalen St. John (6-5, 310) – Trinity Catholic (MO)
Coming out of Trinity Catholic, Jalen St. John was a hot offensive line commodity with offers from programs like Auburn, Florida State, Tennessee, Nebraska, and Mississippi State tallying 18 in total. With Arkansas’ offensive line lacking depth and overall talent, if St. John has taken advantage of the offseason coming ready for fall camp, he could push for playing time in 2020. As offensive line coach Brad Davis retools the big men up front, St. John showed the nasty streak OL coaches love and was able to dominate 3A Missouri competition with his size and quick feet.
Help Via the Transfer Portal
Hard to know what to count on talent wise until the pads are on and some 80,000 opposing fans are screaming down on a player with the game airing on ESPN, but via the transfer portal the Hogs were able to pick up a few players that could be difference makers in 2020. The biggest buzz is on former Florida Gators quarterback Feleipe Franks. Franks threw for 2,457 yards in 2018 with 24 touchdowns against just six interceptions. Franks lost his job to Kyle Trask a year ago, but that should be to Arkansas’ gain. Starting SEC experience and the ability to lead a team is what the Hogs need most on offense as they transition into Kendal Briles’ scheme.
The two biggest transfer additions on defense are cornerback Jerry Jacobs (5-11, 204) and defensive end Xavier Kelly (6-4, 305). Jacobs was limited to four games during the 2019 season with Arkansas State, but came up with 21 tackles and two pass breakups in limited action. After transferring from Hutchinson Community College, where he earned KJCC All-Conference honors, Jacobs had a solid 2018 season playing in all 13 Red Wolves games with 31 tackles, four interceptions, and eight passes defended. For Kelly, the depth at Clemson is so deep that getting on the field for a former four-star recruit can be tough. Kelly ended the 2019 season appearing in 10 games with nine total tackles and a half-sack off 87 snaps. Due to Kelly’s size, he could be shuffled around the defensive line in Barry Odom’s front until a fit is found.
Photo credit: Khari Johnson via Twitter