Arkansas Razorbacks 2021 Class Focuses on Offensive Line and Athleticism
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Going by the recruiting rankings and the product on the field, the Arkansas Razorbacks are trending in the right direction for the first time since the 2015 season. Since joining the SEC in 1992, the Razorbacks have flirted at different times with pushing to the top of the conference but inconsistent recruiting classes have relegated the Hogs back to the middle of the pack, or worse. After a two-year spike under Bobby Petrino during the 2010-11 seasons, the Hogs have tried to work back to 10-win seasons. With three consecutive highly ranked recruiting classes and a committed coaching staff, the Hogs could be on the verge of being that 10-win team again.
Being in the SEC West recruiting against Alabama, Auburn, and LSU every year, go ahead and now add Texas A&M, is a losing proposition. But consistency on the recruiting trail coupled with the right mix of experienced players can push past a roster filled with green former five- and four-star recruits. Coming into their own, the 2019 Arkansas haul was ranked 23rd in the country backed by a 2020 grouping put together last minute by new head coach Sam Pittman and Co. landing at No. 30. The 2019 class was impressive with 11 four-star players and 14 three-star signees. The pulled together class a year ago ranked 30th with four four-stars and 17 three-stars.
Bearing fruit out of the 2019 class, former four-star receiver Treylon Burks is one of the SEC’s best. Same goes for safety Jalen Catalon. Both received second team All-SEC honors in 2020. Tight end Hudson Henry showed flashes of great things to come making the SEC’s All-Freshman team with LSU standout Arik Gilbert. Another 2019 standout, not as highly ranked as his peers but who has already made an impact is offensive lineman Brady Latham, another All-SEC Freshman selection.
How deeply the 2020 class will impact the future still remains to be seen, but several true freshmen found their way on the field already. Four-star safety Myles Slusher, four-star quarterback Malik Hornsby, three-star tight end Blayne Toll along with three-star safety Nick Turner and three-star corner Khari Johnson.
The 2021 class is ready to support the previous efforts filling gaps along the offensive line and at the skill positions. Four offensive linemen have been signed highlighted by three-star in-state talent Terry Wells, Georgia product Cameron Ball, Texas signee Cole Carson, and Louisiana big man Devon Manuel (6-8, 300).
With senior Rakeem Boyd off to the NFL, experience in the running back room is limited. Arizona State transfer Trelon Smith showed great moxie during the season leading the team in carries (134), yards (710), and rushing scores (5) while being listed at 5-9, 185. Support is there from TJ Hammonds, but more help is on the way. One of the Hogs more celebrated 2021 recruits is Tulsa Union running back AJ Green. Green has the prototypical SEC tailback frame listed at 5-11, 194, and has blazing speed clocking a 10.38 in the 100 meters. Another highly coveted recruit for the Hogs is Carl Albert (OK) back Javion Hunt. Hunt passed on offers from Baylor, Minnesota, Ole Miss, and Virginia Tech, among others, to sign with the Hogs.
What Arkansas’ staff ends up doing with Raheim Sanders will be interesting. At 6-2, 210, he was that do-everything player for Florida’s Rockledge High School getting carries out of the backfield and targets in the passing attack. Sanders could be that big body back Arkansas has missed since Rawleigh Williams and Devwah Whaley were toting the pigskin in 2016 and 2017.
A big get for the Hogs at receiver was Royse City four-star Ketron Jackson. During the Bulldogs’ nine-game 2020 season, Jackson lit it up taking in 41 passes for 842 yards with 10 TDs posted. He could provide that added target with Mike Woods to take pressure off Treylon Burks in the opposition’s secondary.
Some immediate help in the defensive trenches is expected from Jones College (MS) junior college transfer Jalen Williams. The 6-3, 310-pound, tackle picked the Razorbacks over 13 other offers from teams like Auburn, Florida State, Baylor, and Georgia.
Two other positions shored up came via the transfer portal landing former four-star offensive lineman Ty’kieast Crawford from Charlotte and Penn State cornerback Trent Gordon.
If there is a weakness in the haul as it currently stands, it is along the defensive line. There are only two defensive linemen connected to the 2021 class. The Hogs did sign five defensive linemen the year prior, but all five were ends. The 2020 class took in three defensive backs, the 2021 class has three; corners Chase Lowery and Keuan Parker along with safety Jayden Johnson. A new motto in Fayetteville, in defensive coordinator Barry Odom we trust.
An interesting mix is coming in at linebacker with Georgia inside backer Christopher Paul Jr. (6-1, 235), in-state outside backer Marco Avant (6-2.5, 212), and shifty outside backer Jermaine Hamilton-Jordan (6-1, 195).
The Razorbacks 2021 recruiting class is ranked No. 21 nationally, eighth best in the SEC, with 22 signed letters of intent; three four-stars and 19 three-star prospects. There is a possibility for Arkansas to add to the mix on National Signing Day, Wednesday, Feb. 3.
Photo credit: Jackson family; Ketron Jackson at Arkansas