Razorbacks Net 2017 SS Montaric Brown and OT Dalton Wagner
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The Arkansas coaching staff is doing a terrific job of limiting any recruiting surprises with their 2017 recruiting class taking two steps closer to filling said class over the past two days. On Thursday, four-star safety Montaric Brown verbally committed to the Razorbacks followed by massive offensive tackle Dalton Wagner on Friday.
Wagner has been a man among boys on the Illinois gridiron helping blow open holes and secure victories for Richmon-Burton High School. The Rockets standout lineman is listed at 6’9”, tipping the scales at 312, fitting a profile head coach Bret Bielema likes for his tackles.
As the Rockets worked their way to a 9-2 record against 4A competition in 2015, Wagner’s profile started to rise on recruiting boards with interest turning into offers in the off-season. Arkansas competed against Utah, Cal, Illinois, Indiana, Purdue, Syracuse, Virginia, Vanderbilt, and Utah among others for Wagner’s verbal commitment. The Hogs landing Wagner’s commitment has likely kept teams like Michigan State, Wisconsin, and Notre Dame from swooping in for the road grading lineman.
Wagner posted his commitment on Twitter scribing, “Excited to call Arkansas my new home starting 2017 and to be an official part of The #Razorbacks. #committed.”
The commitment of Ashdown safety Montaric Brown released a collective sigh of relief from Razorback Nation. The Arkansas product fits the bill needed for the Hogs on several levels but most importantly as a promising top level safety who should make a collegiate impact sooner than later.
Brown was a two-way performer for the Panthers in 2015 coming up with seven receptions for 108 yards with a score but shinned on defense with a reported team-high 110 tackles. The 6’0”, 182, pound talent also had four tackles for a loss, broke up eight passes, forced a fumble, and picked off five pass attempts adding 171 return yards to his total taking three back to the house.
College teams love Brown’s playmaking abilities and athleticism leading to double-digit offers from teams like Auburn, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Missouri, Arkansas State, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and LSU. Arkansas fans got a scare earlier in the month when reports surfaced that Brown was close to verbally committing to Alabama.
Arkansas landing Brown keeps the top rated in-state recruit (247Sports) home. Chatrooms and watercooler talk has voiced concern with the No. 2 rated player, defensive tackle Akial Byers, and No. 3 rated player, quarterback Taylor Powell, both from Fayetteville High School, opting to commit to Alabama and Wake Forest respectively after not receiving an offer from the Hogs. The fourth ranked player in Arkansas, Central Arkansas Christian wide receiver Josh Johnson, is an Iowa State commit.
The Hogs now have 19 verbal commits nearing a full class. The Razorbacks appear to be set in the secondary and at the skill positions on offense for their 2017 class. Look for another defensive end, offensive lineman, and linebacker to join the haul leaving room for a top recruit or two at any position to join the class as desired as National Signing Day gets closer.
Arkansas Razorbacks 2017 Verbal Commitment List (19)
SS Montaric Brown, 6-0, 182, Ashdown HS, Ashdown, AR
SS Korey Hernandez, 6-0, 175, Cedar Grove HS, Ellenwood, GA
CB Jordon Curtis, 5-11, 180, Jenks HS, Jenks, OK
CB Jarques McClellion, 6-0, 180, American Heritage, Delray Beach, FL
LB Derrick Munson, 6-0, 195, Archbishop Rummel, Metairie, LA
LB Josh Paul, 6-2, 205, De La Salle HS, New Orleans, LA
DE Ryder Anderson, 6-7, 230, Katy HS, Katy, TX
OT/DT Shane Clenin, 6-6, 285, Jefferson HS, Festus, MO
OT Kirby Adcock, 6-5, 280, Nashville HS, Nashville, AR
OT Dalton Wagner, 6-9, 312, Richmond-Burton, Richmond, IL
QB Daulton Hyatt, 6-3, 178, Etowah HS, Attalla, AL
RB Chase Hayden, 5-10, 189, St. George, Collierville, TN
RB Maleek Williams, 6-0, 215, Punta Gorda HS, Charlotte, FL
TE Jeremy Patton, 6-6, 230, Arizona Western C.C., Yuma, AZ
WR Maleek Barkley, 5-11, 185, Bishop Gorman HS, Las Vegas, NV
WR Jarrod Barnes, 5-11, 170, Cabot HS, Cabot, AR
WR Koilan Jackson, 6-3, 203, Robinson HS, Little Rock, AR
WR Jonathan Nance, 6-2, 180, Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C., Perkinston, MS
WR/ATH Devion Warren, 5-10, 170, Ouachita Parish HS, Monroe, LA
Photo credit: twitter.com; Dalton Wagner with Arkansas head coach Brett Bielema.