Recruiting Notebook: Junior Day and New Offers

Razorbacks set to host number of high profile prospects on Saturday

Author:
Jacob Davis
Publish date:
Jan 17, 2024 3:36 AM EST

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The Razorbacks will host their second of three Junior Days on Saturday, Jan. 20 with several intriguing prospects. So far, only seven high schoolers that have announced they will make the icy trek to Fayetteville.

Current 2025 commitment quarterback Grayson Wilson announced on Wednesday he will make an appearance. The Central Arkansas Christian passer grew a bit since the summer, now standing at 6-foot-4, 190 pounds. He led the Mustangs to a 9-3 overall record and deep playoff run, passing for 3,413 yards passing, 41 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Wilson tacked on another 837 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground.

He will likely try to build relationships with a trio of offensive prospects who will also be in town. 2025 wide receiver Tristan Norman is a 3-star athlete from Montgomery, Alabama. Norman has yet to receive an offer from the Razorbacks, so this will be a time for them to evaluate him further. The 6-foot, 160 pounder had an electric junior season finishing with 44 receptions, 736 yards and 13 touchdowns.

2025 offensive lineman Braydn Cobain-King of Gurdon has made a few trips to Fayetteville for camps through the years. The 6-foot-3, 310 pound lineman may project somewhere along the interior in college. Cobain-King has also been named to the All-State team the past two seasons.

"I’m looking forward to seeing all the coaches again," Cobain-King said. "Especially looking forward to meeting Coach [Eric] Mateos. A Razorbacks offer would mean everything. Been working hard for this offer since I was a kid!"

Another 2025 prospect visiting this weekend is Benton tight end Bronson Coolis. The 6-foot-3, 235 pounder was named a second team all-conference selection for the Panthers.

Everyone loves enthusiastic players ready to commit early. For 2026 defensive back Tay Lockett, he committed in August of 2023 following an All-American freshman season. He backed it up with 49 tackles, five interceptions and three pass break-ups.

Lockett is considered one of the top talents in the country although he hasn't received a grade with recruiting services yet.

2026 offensive lineman Troy Pless received an offer from the Razorbacks over the weekend. The 6-foot-6, 275 pounder currently holds offers from fellow Power Four programs Baylor and Texas Tech. Other schools that have expressed interest in Pless include TCU, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and Notre Dame.

Spring, Texas 2026 quarterback Grant Smith will also be in attendance. The 6-foot-3, 206 pound passer holds offers from Texas A&M, Baylor and TCU. Prep Redzone considers Smith a blooming prospect worthy of a 4-star ranking following the spring evaluation period for recruiting services. Recruiting analyst legend Tom Lemming shared his evaluation of Smith early in the new year.

"[Smith] has excellent arm strength, pinpoint accuracy," Lemming said. "He can make all the throws and run himself out of trouble."

Another 2026 prospect who received an offer from Arkansas on Tuesday is Katrell Webb of Suwanee, Georgia. The 6-foot-3, 240 pounder is being recruited by Deke Adams and Mateos to play somewhere in the trenches. A pair of Arkansas commitments are pushing Webb to join them in Fayetteville.

"I plan on coming up there with my guys Bear [McWhorter] and Tay [Lockett] during the spring or a game this fall," Webb said.

Quarterback Ryder Lyons, a 2026 prospect, received an offer from the Razorbacks on Tuesday. He is highly recruited with several offers from Power Four programs including Oregon, Washington, USC, Pitt, Notre Dame, BYU and Arizona State. During his first season as a starter, the sophomore completed 68% of his passes for 3,578 yards, 38 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Lyons can get it done with his legs rushing for 929 yards and three touchdowns in 2023.