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Razorbacks have cracked Top 40 in early recruiting rankings from services

Razorbacks 39th in one ranking and other two hovering on either side of that and what it means for Sam Pittman
Andy Hodges|
Arkansas Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman on the sidelines against the Ole Miss Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss.
Arkansas Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman on the sidelines against the Ole Miss Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss. | Ted McClenning-allHOGS Images

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Arkansas Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The latest ESPN 2026 recruiting class rankings place Arkansas at No. 39 nationally, a drop from 33 in earlier rankings.

For Sam Pittman’s team, this shift underscores how competitive recruiting in the SEC is, especially when other schools are trying to get a lot of the same players.

ESPN notes that Arkansas still has zero ESPN 300 commits, which hurts both the class profile and perception. The Razorbacks’ strength remains in quality three-star prospects and a few rising names that could develop.

Comparison: 247Sports perspective

247Sports offers a somewhat more favorable view of Arkansas’ class. According to their team rankings, Arkansas’ 2026 class is in the low 30s nationally (about No. 33), and 11th in the SEC.
247Sports

One feature of the 247Sports composite ranking is that it includes “five-star,” “four-star,” and “three-star” recruit spreads.

Arkansas has few four-stars and mostly three-stars, and no five-stars as of the latest update. That limits how high 247Sports will rank them even in favorable conditions.

What On3 shows

On3 gives yet another angle. Its Industry Comparison chart has Arkansas ranked 39th nationally for 2026, a drop from previous spots (they were around 30th earlier in On3’s lists).

On3 also breaks down more than just national rank: it shows Arkansas at 13th in the SEC under its commit list, and provides metrics like average distance of recruits, percentage of blue-chip prospects, NIL estimates, and how many commits they have.

For example, Arkansas has about 12% “blue chips” and around $18K average NIL value in On3’s data.

Where the differences matter

These differences among ESPN, 247Sports, and On3 aren’t just academic—they affect recruiting perception, fan expectations, and how coaches pitch the program.

If 247Sports ranks them higher, it may help in certain circles; but the lack of consistency between services can make it harder to claim momentum.

Arkansas’ strengths appear consistent: solid in-state recruiting, physical players, emerging names like Dequane Prevo and J.J. Bush, and a staff that emphasizes player development.

The weaknesses also show up across all services: absence of ESPN 300 or equivalent elite recruits, a few decommitments, and needing more “blue chip” or four-star names to move up.

The SEC lens: Peers pulling ahead

Within the Southeastern Conference, Arkansas trails teams like Georgia, Alabama, Texas A&M, Tennessee and others in both star power and recruiting class rank.

Whether using ESPN, 247Sports or On3, those teams often have multiple elite commits and stronger composite metrics.

Arkansas’ No. 39 in ESPN, No. 33 in 247Sports, and similar On3 ranking reflect a middle-or-upper-middle tier in the SEC, rather than contender status at least so far in recruiting class rankings.

What Arkansas needs to do

To improve across all major rankings, Arkansas must:

• Land at least one or two elite recruits (ESPN 300 or equivalent) to raise their ceiling.

• Reduce decommitments and maintain class stability, which raises confidence in all services.

• Improve “blue chip” percentage and recruit profiles that carry more weight in 247Sports and On3.

• Use NIL and recruiting strategy to not just chase rankings but also to develop players and show early contributions.

Key takeaways

• ESPN ranks Arkansas at No. 39 nationally with no ESPN 300 commits, signaling a need for more elite-level talent.

• 247Sports currently places Arkansas higher (around No. 33), with similar SEC positioning (11th), though class strength is held back by few four-stars and no five-stars.

• On3 aligns more with ESPN, also showing a drop in national rank and emphasizing metrics (distance, NIL, blue-chip %) that reflect Arkansas’ strengths and gaps.

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Andy Hodges
ANDY HODGES

Sports columnist, writer, former radio host and television host who has been expressing an opinion on sports in the media for over four decades. He has been at numerous media stops in Arkansas, Texas and Mississippi.

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