Where Arkansas Stands With Less Than Two Weeks to the February Signing Period

We’re a few weeks past the early signing period and less than two weeks until the more traditional February signing period. So let’s take a look at where this recruiting class looks in the bigger picture.

What’s Happened Since The Early Signing Period?

The big positive news was the commitment of Jalen Catalon. The four star safety joins teammates Taurean Carter and Enoch Jackson to come to Fayetteville. He isn’t the biggest safety but the Hogs need depth there so he will be a welcome addition, and as long as he recovers from an injury that caused him to miss most of his senior year, should be an instant impact type of guy.

The negatives were the two decommitments from Myles Brooks and Dante Walker. You don’t want to lose a ton of guys, but it’s likely a decision that’s mutually beneficial for both parties in each of these situations. With the addition of Catalon, Brooks finds himself behind likely another player on the depth chart, and Walker is behind a loaded defensive end class.

Arkansas also has to make the scholarship numbers work and still need to bring in a linebacker or two because they are dangerously thin at that position, and even worse off if Dee Walker’s arrest means he isn’t back next year.

Who Still Might Join Before February?

So about those linebackers. Arkansas is bringing in 3-star Christopher Russell from Dyersberg, TN on an official visit. They are competing with Auburn, Tennessee, and Texas A&M for his signature. They are still keying in on Lakia Henry, a 4-star JUCO linebacker who has made his official visit to Fayetteville already. Henry is visiting Ole Miss this weekend and will visit Texas right before signing day.

With Arkansas sitting at 26 recruits, and things are still up in the air for A’Montae Spivey and Adonis Otey committed but taking visits elsewhere, Arkansas will have room to add both should they commit.

What About That Recruiting Ranking?

Arkansas has dipped some but is still in good shape. A lot of blue bloods that traditionally make late pushes have made theirs and Arkansas is dipping a few spots because other schools have brought in multiple players.

In the 247Sports’ rankings, the Hogs are at 22nd nationally and just ahead of Mississippi State for 9th in the SEC. The Hogs could move up or down a spot or two but will likely hang around there.

Over at Rivals, the Hogs have been highest there but are now 18th nationally. With South Carolina, Washington, Stanford, and Ohio State all right behind the Hogs, finishing in the top-20 there doesn’t feel too likely.

And at ESPN the Hogs are splitting the difference, ending up at 19th right now.

Ultimately, the ranking isn’t the most important thing for the Hogs. They needed bodies at a lot of positions and have addressed most of those needs. It’s impossible to fill all of them in one recruiting class but the Hogs are still in solid shape for one of their best recruiting classes in recent memory.