Razorbacks have 2024 three-star DB Tevis Metcalf locked and recruiting
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Sitting on a Top 25 recruiting class, the Razorbacks have worked through the southern region compiling an impressive 2024 haul to date. Verbal commitments have come from 19 players hailing from seven different states. A developing stronghold for Arkansas under head coach Sam Pittman is the state of Alabama. If Tevis Metcalf has his way, he will be adding a couple more high-profile prospects from his home state to the Hogs’ building recruiting class.
Working in the secondary for Clay-Chalkville (Pinson), Metcalf (5-10, 190) has put on a show this season locking down the opposition’s No. 1 receiver.
“The season is going pretty well,” Metcalf said. “I’ve had some productive games. In my first game, I think I had, they only threw at me once deep, I had a PBU. They threw a couple of screens; I had a couple of tackles for a loss. I had about three tackles in that game.
“When I came back for the Oxford game, they threw at me a couple of times. They had their No. 1 guy, I held him to zero receptions. Shade Valley, they threw at me once, but they didn’t get anything. I have been doing well. I am ready for the playoffs.”
Suiting up for Pinson Valley last fall, Metcalf was used all over the field. This season, he is focused on building an island.
“I am playing corner for now; we have good guys at all positions,” Metcalf stated. “I don’t have to move around. I can play corner and lock it down.”
The Cougars are helping Metcalf prepare for life in the SEC.
“We run a lot of Cover 2, Cover 3, 2-reads, and some man too,” Metcalf stated.
There are some differences in Metcalf’s game this season.
“My tackling is one of my big improvements,” Metcalf said. “I have improved overall on everything. I am playing with a little more swag this year making it known that I am that guy.”
Arkansas fans hanging around Razorback Stadium will get to see plenty of Metcalf this fall.
“I have been to a couple games this season,” Metcalf shared. “The most recent one was the Mississippi State game. I am supposed to go to the Florida (Nov. 4) and Auburn games (Nov. 11).”
Over the offseason, the Hogs brought on a new defensive coordinator after Barry Odom took the head coaching job at UNLV. Metcalf spoke about Travis Williams’ defensive scheme.
“With the new staff, they haven’t done bad,” Metcalf stated. “They’ve been keeping the scoring low. They held Bama. They made a couple of mistakes in that game, but they could have won that. They held Mississippi State to one touchdown. The defense is holding it down.”
Arkansas’ staff stays in strong communication with their three-star recruit.
“It is a good relationship,” Metcalf said. “Coach T-Will, coach Williams, and coach (Marcus) Woodson (DB) call me all the time. They will FaceTime and call me asking how I am doing and check up on the family. Coach Pittman texts me every week. It feels good to know I am with family.”
Metcalf was asked if he’s getting any next level pointers to help improve his high school game.
“When they call and ask how I am doing, I will tell them about my situations,” Metcalf shared. “They will give tips or let me know what I need to do when I am there in those situations. I am trying to better my game and get ahead of the competition while I am still in high school.”
Older brother TJ Metcalf is a freshman safety with the Razorbacks. Some of the on-the-field SEC experience is being passed down brother to brother.
“He will share practice and game clips, and he will tell me what I am doing right or wrong,” Metcalf stated. “I critique him some too. He helps me out. I will send him clips of my practice film; he will tell me what I need to do better to play in the SEC.
“He came for senior night; he was on the sidelines. He would tell me what I was doing wrong and what I need to fix when I came off the field.”
Being able to speak about the Hogs’ program with some authority, Metcalf is actively working on a few Arkansas targets.
“Oh yeah, I am trying to get people on my team to come,” Metcalf said. “We have a lot of athletes on our team and an offensive lineman they are after. I am trying to get them to come. They are messing with Arkansas heavy. You never know. Signing Day is two months away, we’ll see if I can get them.”
Clay-Chalkville wrapped their 2023 schedule undefeated. The team has a bye this week before returning to play Cullman.
Metcalf spoke about gearing up for the playoffs, “I am looking forward to showing what I can do in the playoffs. I am trying to get some interceptions for some good stats on the board. I want to get out there and ball.”