Arkansas Offers All-American Eighth Grader

Razorbacks, Pittman continue recruiting younger talent to build future foundation

Author:
Jacob Davis
Publish date:
Jan 16, 2024 10:00 AM EST

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Since Sam Pittman began his tenure, Arkansas has been a fixture at pulling in stud athletes from Georgia. With assistant coach Jimmy Smith holding rich ties to the Peach State, he’s got his eyes on an early bloomer.

Chase Foster, a 13-year old eighth grader from Fayetteville, Georgia has earned a scholarship offer from the Razorbacks. The 6-4, 210 pounder plays along the defensive line for his junior high school.

Foster isn’t your average junior high kid either. He was selected to the Under Armour Showcase this season and performed well with impressive pass rushing skills.

There’s a long way to go in Foster’s development, but size is something no one can teach. Arkansas made an effort to recruit younger kids to help build the brand. Fresh out of ninth grade, Tay Lockett from prestigious St. John Bosco Prep in California leaped aboard his dream school kickstarting the 2026 class.

Other players who received scholarships prior to beginning their high school careers are Greenwood's Kane Archer and Lance Jackson of Texarkana-Pleasant Grove. Even infamous Razorback coach Chad Morris threw the kitchen sink at former top-100 prospect Vernon Broughton, Jr. during the 2020 recruiting cycle when the defensive tackle brought his eight grade cousin and fifth grade brother for a visit. Both family members left with offers themselves.

Broughton's brother, Isaac, is now a high school sophomore and stands at 6-4, 314 pounds. He is a member of the 2026 recruiting class, but currently doesn't have a prospect profile with recruiting services.