Big Recruiting Nights Like Tonight Indicative of How Pittman Has Raised Recruiting Bar

No matter how things go with Braylen Russell, Selman Bridges Friday, Hogs will have one of most talented Razorback teams ever in 2024

Author:
Kent Smith
Updated:
Jul 14, 2023 12:11 PM EDT
Original:
Jul 14, 2023

In this story:

Arkansas Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – With 4-star recruits Braylen Russell and Selman Bridges set to announce this evening, it could be a banner night for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Bridges is a Top 50 overall recruit out of Texas and Russell is a Top 20 running back from Benton.

As of this morning, odds appear to be 45-45-10 for former Razorback commit Russell regarding his finalists of Arkansas, Tennessee and South Carolina respectively. As for Bridges, all indications are that it would be a shock if he didn't go with the Razorbacks when his decision is made as part of a Dave Campbell's Football production tonight. We will have a live blog covering both decisions this evening.

If Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman can come away with even one of the two, he stands to put possibly the most talented team Arkansas has ever had on the field in 2024. Even if neither Russell, nor Bridges commit, Arkansas is in line to put 26 4-star recruits on the field in 2024. That's without accounting for any 4-stars who come in during the transfer portal. As of this morning, the Razorbacks project to have at least 32 4-star recruits when that team hits the field.

A big part of that is because of the recruiting philosophy he has put together in Fayetteville over the past three seasons. Pittman has learned to attack the transfer portal, positioning Arkansas as a prime landing spot for elite players who either don't like their current coach or school, or who get stuck behind another elite player who has curried favor with the coaching staff, which is what happened with linebacker Drew Sanders.

By developing a reputation as a great place for a fresh start among high level transfers, Pittman and his more diverse, highly motivated staff of recruiters with a much wider reach than past staffs, can afford to take risks by putting a lot of time and effort into elite recruits who normally wouldn't get that level of attention, if any, from the Razorbacks.

Instead of building a team on high level 3-star players with hopes a couple of 4-star recruits might jump on board also, Arkansas is filling out the roster with high level three stars. Tallahassee, Florida high school target Ashton Hampton, son of former Warren Lumberjack star Alonzo Hampton, now head coach at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, will decide Saturday whether he goes to Arkansas, Florida State or Clemson among a handful of other schools. In the past, if his decision didn't go the Razorbacks' way, it was a heavy blow to the recruiting class. Now, he's a nice addition Razorback fans would fall in love with who could blossom into an elite player, but it's not nearly as damaging if he ends up elsewhere.

What's resulted is a higher quality recruiting class. The Razorbacks added 12 4-star recruits last season. If Arkansas can get Russell and Bridges on board tonight, that will mean a minimum of nine toward next season even before the transfer portal kicks off or other high level high school prospects make their decisions. To put things in perspective, the 32 4-star recruits Arkansas is projected to have on its 2024 roster after the dust settles from this year's recruiting cycle will dwarf any stretch of the previous decade.

Those recruits make up players expected to be on the team from the 2022-24 recruiting cycles. That's only three classes. From 2017-2021, five recruiting classes, Arkansas had 28 4-stars sign, many of which turned out to be busts or left town. From 2012-2016, another five-year stretch, Arkansas put together some of its strongest classes to that point, landing 33 4-star or better players in those five classes. A strong series of classes in Bielema's early years set the table for one of the best teams in terms of SEC play in Arkansas history. The Razorbacks were eight points away from going 8-1 in 2015, and had Alabama on the ropes for a long time also.

If that's any indication, 2024 could be a huge year for Arkansas. Yes, KJ Jefferson will be gone. Raheim Sanders will most likely be in the NFL also. However, the defense should be dramatically improved from its No. 101 finish in 2022. Plus, the winner of the quarterback battle between Jacolby Criswell and Malachi Singleton is going to be an absolute stud, and the running back and tight ends room is loaded. If the Dan Enos offense can coax in a couple of elite SEC level receivers, Arkansas could be one of the most dangerous teams in a conference adjusting to its new look and format.

Regardless of how tonight turns out, the Arkansas staff is doing its job of raising the talent level. However, if both decide to become Razorbacks, it straps a rocket on this team's potential in the coming years.