Few Options for Razorbacks Replacing Top Receiver Signee

There may not be clear plan looking from outside but Petrino, Pittman may have something up sleeve

Author:
Jacob Davis
Publish date:
Feb 1, 2024 9:53 PM EST

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — After Arkansas lost its top wide receiver signee Ashton Bethel-Roman Thursday afternoon, it caused a shakeup not only in the signing class but how the class is perceived nationally. From a numbers standpoint, potentially bringing in 17 true freshman is quite the fall considering where the class stood before the 2023 season.

Just days before traditional National Signing Day, there is no certainty the Razorbacks will replace the loss. There are only two receivers Arkansas has offered that remain uncommitted leading into February, according to the 247sports database. Jeremy Scott (Jackson, Miss.) and Jabari Murphy (Eclectic, Ala.) have a slew of SEC offers.

If the staff wants to look into the transfer portal for a replacement wideout, there is a familiar name fans might remember in Ze'Vian Capers. The former Auburn signee initially committed to Arkansas in February 2010 while Chad Morris was head coach. Capers was ranked as one of the nation's top players during the 2020 recruiting cycle. Out of Denmark High School in Alpharetta, Ga., he was the No. 132 player in his class and No. 24 receiver in the nation.

While he hasn't been very productive throughout his college career, the former 4-star has a chance to redeem himself with one last chance in the SEC. For his career, the 6-4, 195-pounder has recorded 17 receptions for 165 yards and one touchdown.

The Razorbacks still signed Bentonville's CJ Brown and New Orleans native Krosse Johnson. Brown reeled in 55 passes for 1,254 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior. He chose the Razorbacks over offers from Kansas State, Louisville, Minnesota, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Vanderbilt.

For Johnson, he was a late addition to the 2024 signing class in December. The southern Louisiana speedster was committed to Louisiana before flipping his commitment to the Hogs. Johnson averaged nearly 21 yards per catch during his high school career at Holy Cross.

Nobody knew about Krosse Johnson," Pittman said following the early signing day in December. "I didn't either until about three or four days ago when we felt like we may lose a receiver. We needed another high school receiver, we needed speed. Krosse is running 10.5 and he runs it on the field. So, we were able to add there."

During the early signing period, the Hogs did sign Texas A&M transfer receiver Jordan Anthony. The redshirt freshman has yet to make a huge impact during his two seasons in college but possesses unteachable speed to burn opposing defenses. Anthony's prior relationship with offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino played a role in his transfer to Fayetteville.

"I am considering visiting them soon," Anthony told allHogs before his commitment. "[Arkansas] is a great program overall. The relationship I have with Petrino is great!"

Anthony was considered one of the fastest track athletes in the country, running a 10.16 second 100-meter dash as a freshman at Kentucky. When it comes to longer distances, he ran a 20.91 200-meters during the spring of 2023.

The release of Bethel-Roman brings the Razorbacks to five total decommitments in this cycle alone. Had Arkansas kept prospects like wide receiver Courtney Crutchfield, Noreel White (Ocean Springs, Mississippi), running back Jadan Baugh (Decatur, Georgia), Kai Greer (Waxhaw, North Carolina) and Gregory Genross (Dodge City Community College) the Hogs class would rank No. 19 overall, No. 9 in the SEC.

For now, they sit No. 15 overall in the conference and No. 30 in the nation, per 247Sports 2024 class rankings.