All Hogs

National Signing Day: Arkansas Razorbacks official signees

Ryan Silverfield inks his first class as Hogs' head coach
Kent Smith|
Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield and defensive lineman Jalen Bell run onto the field before the game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield and defensive lineman Jalen Bell run onto the field before the game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. | Wesley Hale-Imagn Images

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Arkansas Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It's national signing day as far as the early signing period is concerned for college football.

New Arkansas coach Ryan Silverfield got off to a quick start by flipping several players before contacting multiple previous commits to let them know the Hogs are moving a different direction. With the work done on in-state players in the past 48 hours, there is natural curiosity as to whether that extends to Greenwood quarterback Kane Archer.

It didn't.

Perhaps the biggest news of this signing day is who is commenting on some of the commitments.

There had been reason to suspect Arkansas offensive line coach Eric Mateos might be kept on staff after several offensive line commits either held or came back. Now, he is adding comments to players saying they are Hogs, which leaves little room to believe he isn't being retained on staff.

Players will become official throughout the day and will be added below once they become official.

Brandon Ford
DB | 5-11 | 170 | Crowley, Texas | Crowley HS

A consensus three-star prospect according to 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN … Rated the No. 69 cornerback in the class of 2026 by Rivals and No. 85 cornerback in the class of 2026 by ESPN … No. 68 overall prospect in Texas by Rivals …Attends Crowley High School in Crowley, Texas … Collected 13 tackles, one interception and six pass breakups as a senior in 2025 … Helped lead Crowley to a 8-5 record in 2024 which included a 5-1 mark in district play … Recorded 17 tackles and an interception as a sophomore in 2023 … Had a breakout freshman season that included 16 tackles, two tackles for loss, three interceptions and a fumble in 2022 … Also participated in track posting marks of 11.99 in the 100-meter dash, 24.36 in the 200-meter dash and 17-8.5 in the long jump as a sophomore.

Chose Arkansas over: Arizona, Arizona State, Houston, Kansas State, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Pittsburgh, SMU, Texas Tech and others.

Dequane Prevo, WR
5-foot-10 | 175 | Texarkana, Texas | Bentonville (AR) HS

Four-star prospect according to ESPN … Three-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals … Rated the No. 60 wide receiver in the class of 2026 by Rivals, No. 61 wide receiver in the class of 2026 by ESPN and No. 63 wide receiver in the class of 2026 by 247Sports … No. 4 overall prospect in Arkansas by Rivals, No. 5 overall prospect in Arkansas by 247Sports and No. 6 overall prospect in Arkansas by ESPN … Attends Bentonville High School in Bentonville, Ark. … Spent his freshman and junior years at Liberty-Eylau High School in Texarkana, Texas … Has registered 35 catches for 713 yards and 10 touchdowns as well as 7 rushes for 55 yards in addition to completing three passes for 96 yards as a senior at Bentonville … Has helped lead Bentonville to a 12-0 record in 2025 … Tallied 72 receptions for 1,541 yards and 21 touchdowns while rushing 18 times for 187 yards and a touchdown as a junior in 2024 … Rushed eight times for 49 yards and caught 12 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown as a sophomore … Also plays basketball and runs track … Averaged 9.4 points a game and 10.3 points a game as a sophomore and freshman while at Liberty-Eylau High School … Ran a 22.77 200-meter dash as a freshman in 2023. 

Chose Arkansas over: Auburn, Florida, Houston, Kansas, Mississippi State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, SMU, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, UCF, USC and others.

Jude Hall, WR
6-foot-5 | 205 | Greenville, S.C. | Christ Church Episcopal School

A consensus three-star prospect according to 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN … Rated the No. 129 wide receiver in the class of 2026 by ESPN, No. 138 wide receiver in the class of 2026 by 247Sports and No. 155 wide receiver in the class of 2026 by Rivals … No. 15 overall prospect in South Carolina by 247Sports, No. 16 overall prospect in South Carolina by ESPN and No. 19 overall prospect in South Carolina by Rivals … Attends Christ Church Episcopal School in Greenville, S.C. … Has tallied over 2,000 yards receiving and 26 touchdown receptions during his high school career … Led the Cavaliers to a 8-4 mark as a senior in 2025 … Caught 42 passes for 879 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior while also throwing a 52-yard touchdown pass … Earned All-Region honors as a junior after catching 57 passes for 795 yards (13.9 YPC) and five touchdowns in 2024 … Caught 24 passes for 538 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore in 2023 … Multi-sport athlete who also runs track and plays basketball … Two-time South Carolina Class A champ in the 400-meter hurdles … Finished second in the event at New Balance Nationals as a freshman.

Chose Arkansas over: Boston College, Cincinnati, Duke, Memphis and others.

Anthony Kennedy Jr., DL
6-foot-3 | 313 | Little Rock, Ark. | Central HS

A consensus four-star prospect according to 247Sports and ESPN … Three-star prospect according to Rivals … Rated the No. 31 defensive tackle in the class of 2026 by ESPN and No. 37 defensive lineman in the class of 2026 by 247Sports … No. 4 overall prospect in Arkansas by 247Sports, No. 5 overall prospect in Arkansas by ESPN and No. 10 overall prospect in Arkansas by Rivals … Attends Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Ark. … Spent his junior year at Maumelle High School and his sophomore season at Little Rock Southwest … Tallied 61 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 14 pressures and 2 forced fumbles … Will participate in the Military Appreciation Bowl on Dec. 21 in Frisco (Texas) . … Helped lead Maumelle to an 8-4 record while recording 23 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and six sacks as a junior in 2024 … Recorded 29 tackles, 2 sacks, 8 tackles for loss and 1 forced fumble as a sophomore in 2023 while at Little Rock Southwest … Multi-sport athlete who has played basketball and also competes in track and field … Posted junior season-best throws of 42-3 and 131-0 in the shot put and discus, respectively in 2025.

Chose Arkansas over: Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Mississippi State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Purdue, SMU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, TCU, USC and others.

Tay Lockett, DB
6-foot-0 | 180 | San Diego, Calif. | Conway (AR) HS

A consensus three-star prospect according to 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN … Rated the No. 43 safety in the class of 2026 by ESPN … No. 10 overall prospect in Arkansas by 247Sports and No. 13 overall prospect in Arkansas by Rivals … Attends Conway High School in Conway, Ark. … Previously attended University City High School in San Diego, Calif. … Two-time Max Preps All-American … Has 56 tackles, 10 pass breakups, a forced fumble and three interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns, in 2025 … Also returned two punts for touchdowns and a kickoff for a score as a senior … Tallied 276 punt return yards on 16 returns and returned four kickoffs for 150 yards and a touchdown … Led Conway to a 9-3 overall record in 2025 and a 6-1 mark in conference play … Won 31 of his 38 games played during his freshman-junior seasons … Finished with 107 tackles, including 66 solo, three for loss, two interceptions with one returned for a touchdown, five pass breakups, one fumble recovery, a forced fumble and five punt returns for 117 yards and a touchdown, as a junior in 2024 … Also played offense as a junior, hauling in 33 receptions for 526 yards and 11 touchdowns …  Registered 49 tackles, five interceptions, three pass breakups and a forced fumble as a sophomore in 2023 while leading St. John Bosco to an 11-3 season and CIF Southern Section Final appearance … Collected 92 total tackles, including two for loss while intercepting seven passes to go along with nine pass breakups, three forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries as a freshman in 2022 …Totaled 39 kick return yards, 189 punt return yards and 104 interception return yards in 2022.

Chose Arkansas over: Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, Boston College, Colorado, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Indiana, LSU, Louisville, Maryland, Miami, Michigan, Mississippi State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Penn State, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas A&M, UCF, USC and others.

Eli Haltom, LS
6-foot-5 | 215 | Texarkana, Texas | Pleasant Grove HS

A five-star prospect according to Rubio Long Snapping … Four-star prospect by Kohl’s Kicking … Attends Pleasant Grove High School in Texarkana, Texas … Owns a snapping best time of .67 seconds … Competed at the Rubio Top 12 Long Snapping Camp in Lewiston, Idaho, in July of 2025 … Part of a Pleasant Grove squad that posted an 11-2 record in 2025 including a perfect 5-0 mark in district play … Also plays baseball at Pleasant Grove.

Hugh Smith, OL
6-foot-5 | 300 | Missouri City, Texas | Ridge Point HS

A consensus three-star prospect according to 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN … Rated the No. 78 offensive tackle in the class of 2026 by ESPN and No. 92 interior offensive lineman by 247Sports … Attends Ridgepoint High School in Missouri City, Texas … Helped lead Ridge Point to an 11-1 record and 7-0 mark in district play in 2025 while blocking for 416.2 yards of total offense per game … Tallied 25 pancake blocks in 2025 … Primarily played left tackle for Ridge Point’s 10-2 squad that reached Texas’ 6A D-II postseason’s second round, allowing no sacks in 12 games as a junior in 2024 … Was part of a Ridge Point offense that averaged 404 yards per game while putting up 48.1 points a contest … Also participated in track, registering marks of 36-7 in the shot put and 98-7 in the discus as a freshman in 2023.

Chose Arkansas over: Arizona State, Boston College, Houston, Kansas, Kansas State, Memphis, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Stanford, Vanderbilt and others.

TJ Hodges, RB
6-foot-0 | 185 | Bryant, Ark. | Bryant HS

A consensus four-star prospect according to 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN … Rated the No. 18 running back in the class of 2026 by 247Sports, No. 21 running back in the class of A consensus four-star prospect according to 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN … Rated the No. 18 running back in the class of 2026 by 247Sports, No. 21 running back in the class of 2026 by ESPN and No. 25 running back in the class of 2026 by Rivals … No. 2 overall prospect in Arkansas by Rivals, No. 3 overall prospect in Arkansas by 247Sports and No. 4 overall prospect in Arkansas by ESPN … Attends Bryant High School in Bryant, Ark. … ​​Attended Marked Tree (Ark.) as a sophomore and junior … Has led Bryant to a 12-0 record and spot in the Class 7A state title game …  ​​Has 108 carries for 900 yards, seven touchdowns and eight catches for 142 yards and three touchdowns for the Hornets in 2025 … Had 156 carries for 1,752 yards, 22 touchdowns along with 10 catches for 171 yards and 2 touchdowns as a junior at Marked Tree in 2024 … Helped guide Marked Tree to a 7-5 overall record and 4-3 record in conference as a junior … Rushed for 1,896 yards on 180 carries while scoring 23 touchdowns and adding 360 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns as a sophomore in 2023 … Also competes in track and field and basketball … Ran a 10.73 100-meter dash and a 22.28 200-meter dash as a junior in 2024 …​​ As a sophomore, won the Arkansas 1A state championship in the 200 meters (22.88) and long jump (20-9.25), and finished second in the 100 meters (10.85) … Was part of a 35-3 state championship basketball team in 2023.

Chose Arkansas over: Auburn, Baylor, Florida State, Louisville, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Purdue, USC and others.

Kyndrick Williams, DB
6-foot-1 | 195 | Fayetteville, Ark. | Fayetteville HS

A consensus three-star prospect according to 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN … Rated the No. 69 safety in the class of 2026 by ESPN and No. 78 safety in the class of 2026 by Rivals … No. 11 overall prospect in Arkansas by ESPN, No. 12 overall prospect in Arkansas by Rivals and No. 13 overall prospect in Arkansas by 247Sports … Has tallied 37 total tackles, including five pass breakups, one interception and an onside-kick recovery as a senior … Clocked 4.48 seconds in the 40-yard dash, a vertical jump of 38 inches and a bench press of 275 pounds. 

Chose Arkansas over: UNLV and others.

Danny Beale III, DL
6-foot-4 | 330 | Wynne, Ark. | Cross County HS

A consensus four-star prospect according to 247Sports and ESPN … Three-star prospect according to Rivals … Rated the No. 7 defensive tackle in the class of 2026 by ESPN and No. 15 defensive tackle in the class of 2026 by 247Sports … No. 1 overall prospect in Arkansas by 247Sports and ESPN … Attends Cross County High School in Cherry Valley, Ark. … Has led Cross County to an 11-2 mark as a senior in 2025 … Recorded 35 tackles, including three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two pass breakups, one interception and six quarterback hurries as a senior according to Max Preps … Collected 52 total tackles, including three for loss and two pass breakups while earning 2A All-State honors as a junior in 2024 … Was part of a 7-4 Cross County squad in 2024 … Also played basketball and competed in track and field … Registered a 116-1 discus throw as a junior and posted a discus throw of 128-6 and shot put throw of 39-8 as a sophomore. 

Chose Arkansas over: Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, SMU, Tennessee, Texas A&M, USC and others.

Jakore Smith, LB
6-foot-0 | 190 | Bryant, Ark. | Bryant HS

A consensus three-star prospect according to 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN … Rated the No. 9 inside linebacker in the class of 2026 by ESPN, No. 37 linebacker in the class of 2026 by Rivals and No. 65 linebacker in the class of 2026 by 247Sports … No. 5 overall prospect in Arkansas by Rivals, No. 6 overall prospect in Arkansas by ESPN and No. 11 overall prospect in Arkansas by 247Sports … Attends Bryant High School in Bryant, Ark … Has led Bryant to a 12-0 record and spot in the Class 7A state title game … Has recorded 60 tackles, one tackle for loss, three interceptions, three recovered fumbles and two defensive touchdowns as a senior at Bryant in 2025 … Attended Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School in Little Rock, Ark., through his junior season … As a junior, helped Parkview Magnet to a 13-1 record and a third consecutive Arkansas 5A state championship … 5A All-State selection in 2024 … Has clocked a 4.4 40-yard dash … Had 65 tackles, 4 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, 4 quarterback hurries, 2 forced fumbles, 2 recovered fumbles with one for a score and a blocked punt as a sophomore in 2023 to help the Patriots to a second consecutive Class 5A state title.

Chose Arkansas over: Alabama, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, Michigan, Mississippi State, Missouri, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, UCF and others.

Blair Irvin III, WR
6-foot-0 | 175 | Bentonville, Ark. | Bentonville HS

A consensus three-star prospect according to 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN … Rated the No. 13 overall prospect in Arkansas by ESPN and No. 19 overall prospect in Arkansas by 247Sports and Rivals … Attends Bentonville High School in Bentonville, Ark. … Has led Bentonville to an undefeated 12-0 mark as a senior in 2025 … Recorded 42 receptions, 634 receiving yards, eight receiving touchdowns, two rushes for 39 yards and one rushing touchdown as a senior  … Caught 50 passes for 850 yards and 10 touchdowns while leading Bentonville to a state championship appearance as a junior in 2024 … Also ran track, posting 100-meter times of 11.10 and 11.40, plus wind-aided 11.22 time.

Chose Arkansas over: Kansas State, Minnesota, North Texas, Purdue, South Florida and others.

Tucker Young, OL
6-foot-5 | 300 | Hot Springs, Ark. | Lakeside HS

A consensus three-star prospect according to 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN … Rated the No. 12 overall prospect in Arkansas by ESPN and No. 15 overall prospect in Arkansas by 247Sports and Rivals … Attends Lakeside High School in Hot Springs, Ark … Also competed in track and field … Named a finalist for the 2025 Willie Roaf Award, presented to the top high school offensive lineman in the state of Arkansas … Led Lakeside to a 10-3 record and 5-1 mark in district play as a senior … Paved way for 5,432 yards of total offense including an average of 417.9 yards per game in 2025 … Started every game at left tackle as a junior in 2024, leading the Rams to a 10-3 overall record, including a 6-1 mark in conference play … Blocked for an offense that averaged 198.8 passing yards and 215 rushing yards per contest as a junior … Reports a bench press of 365 pounds, a squat of 515 pounds and a time of 5.1 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

Chose Arkansas over: Memphis and others

Ben Mubenga, OL
6-foot-5 | 290 | Buford, Ga. | Buford HS

A consensus three-star prospect according to 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN … Attends Buford High School in Buford, Ga. … Started his high school career as a defensive end before moving to offensive line as a sophomore … Has led Buford to an undefeated 13-0 record while blocking for an offense that is averaging 356.4 yards a game and 47.8 points per game … Was a vital part of a Wolves squad that went 12-2 and 6-0 in regional play in 2024 and an 11-2 overall mark in 2023 … Blocked for an offense that accumulated 2,137 passing yards and 3,182 rushing yards as a junior … Came to the United States from Congo in 2017 and did not play football until his freshman year of high school.

Chose Arkansas over: Georgia Tech, Florida State, NC State, Oregon and others.

Connor Smith, P
6-foot-3 | 180 | Clintwood, Va. | Ridgeview HS

A five-star prospect according to Kohl’s Kicking … Rated the No. 9 punter in the class of 2026 by Kohl’s Kicking … Attends Ridgeview High School in Clintwood, Va. … Led Ridgeview to a 11-2 record as a senior in 2025 … Scored 110.88 points in the pocket punting and hit some of the biggest punts at cam at the Kohl’s 2025 Southern Spring Showcase with his biggest charted punt being 68 yards with 5.01 seconds of hang time … Scored 10 points in the field goal charting and had a kickoff score of 106.70 while registering a punt of 50 yards with 5.26 seconds during the 2024 Kohl’s Southern Showcase.

Colton Yarbrough, DL
6-foot-5 | 255 | Caddo, Okla. | Durant HS

Four-star prospect according to 247Sports … Three-star prospect by Rivals and ESPN … Rated the No. 40 edge rusher in the class of 2026 by 247Sports … No. 5 overall prospect in Oklahoma by 247Sports and ESPN, and No. 14 overall prospect in Oklahoma by Rivals … Attends Durant High School in Durant, Okla. .. Tallied 45 total tackles, four quarterback hurries and five tackles for loss as a senior in 2025 … Ranked No. 5 on the Oklahoman’s Super 30 list, representing the top high school players in the state ahead of the 2025 season … Also ran track … Posted 100-meter times of 11.81 and 11.92  while long jumping 19-7 as a freshman in 2023.

Chose Arkansas over: Arizona State, Cal, Colorado, Georgia, Houston, Kansas, Kansas State, LSU, Miami, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Penn State, TCU, Tennessee, USC, Vanderbilt, Washington State and others.

Jalon Copeland, DB
6-foot-0 | 185 | Valdosta, Ga. | Valdosta HS

A consensus three-star prospect according to 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN … Attends Valdosta High School in Valdosta, Ga. … Led Valdosta to a 12-1 record in 2025 … As a senior in 2025, has tallied 23 tackles, 12 pass breakups, three interceptions, a forced fumble, fumble recovery and quarterback hurry … Helped lead Valdosta to a 9-3 record as a junior in 2024 while recording 21 tackles (15 solo, six assisted), two interceptions and eight pass breakups … Registered an interception, three pass breakups and one tackle as a sophomore in 2023 while leading the Wildcats to an 8-4 season …

Chose Arkansas over: Boston College, Illinois, Michigan State, Nebraska, Penn State and others.

(Arkansas Razorbacks communications contributed to some of the information included in this story.)

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Kent Smith
KENT SMITH

Kent Smith has been in the world of media and film for nearly 30 years. From Nolan Richardson's final seasons, former Razorback quarterback Clint Stoerner trying to throw to anyone and anything in the blazing heat of Cowboys training camp in Wichita Falls, the first high school and college games after 9/11, to Troy Aikman's retirement and Alex Rodriguez's signing of his quarter billion dollar contract, Smith has been there to report on some of the region's biggest moments. 

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