Best Arkansas football recruit from every state since the year 2011
Much like its 2021 season, Arkansas 2022 recruiting class is its best in a generation.
Sam Pittman and Co. hauled in the No. 19 class in the country per 247Sports’ rankings. Landing some of the best in-state products helped, but a national footprint also seems to be growing for the Razorbacks.
With that in mind, we considered the best recruits across the country to play for Arkansas since the recruiting class that came in that 2021 season. Eighteen states have been represented as determined by 247Sports recruiting database.
The list does not include states from which junior-college players were from, nor does it include players who were recruited from states otherwise unlisted but the players did not play in a game. It also does not include members of the 2021 or 2022 class.
Some expected states – Texas, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana – had difficult decisions. Some others had only one player.
Who did we miss? Let us know.
Alabama - Trey Flowers, DE
Jan 06, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks defensive end Trey Flowers (86) during the game against the Kansas State Wildcats in the 2012 Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium. Arkansas won 29-16. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
High School/Hometown: Columbia High in Huntsville
Recruiting Class: 2011
Star Rating: 3
Highlight: 18 career sacks ranks seventh in school history; 2 Super Bowl wins; 31 1/2 sacks in six-plus NFL seasons
Arkansas - Treylon Burks, WR
Arkansas wide receiver Treylon Burks (16) breaks loose for a touchdown reception against Alabama during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
High School/Hometown: Warren High in Warren
Recruiting Class: 2019
Star Rating: 4
Highlight: Sixth all-time in receptions and yards receiving, tied fifth all-time in receiving touchdowns; expected first- or second-round pick in NFL draft
California - Blake Johnson, P
Arkansas punter Blake Johnson is tackled by Mississippi State defender Kylin Hill in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017 in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
High School/Hometown: Los Alamitos High in Los Alamitos
Recruiting Class: 2015
Star Rating: 3
Highlight: Arrested for public intoxication as a freshman, flipped off Missouri players on the field during game in 2017, transferred from Arkansas in 2019
Colorado - Dan Skipper, OL
Oct 10, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks offensive lineman Dan Skipper (70) blocks Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman D.J. Pettway (57) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
High School/Hometown: Ralston Valley in Arvada
Recruiting Class: 2013
Star Rating: 3
Highlight: 2-time All-SEC selection; 47 consecutive starts is second longest streak in school history
Connecticut - Khari Johnson, DB
Oct 23, 2021; Little Rock, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Khari Johnson (19) attempts to block a field goal by Arkansas Pine Bluff Golden Lions kicker Zack Piwniczka (61) during the fourth quarter at War Memorial Stadium. Arkansas won 45-3. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
High School/Hometown: Suffield Academy in Suffield
Recruiting Class: 2020
Star Rating: 3
Highlight: Made one career start; expected to contend for playing time in 2022
Florida - Alex Collins, RB
Jan 2, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Alex Collins (3) carries the ball against Kansas State Wildcats defensive back Kendall Adams (21) during the first half at Liberty Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
High School/Hometown: South Plantation in Fort Lauderdale
Recruiting Class: 2013
Star Rating: 4
Highlight: Second all-time in yards rushing and most career 100-yard games; fourth all-time in rushing touchdowns; 1,997 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns in five NFL seasons
Georgia - Rohan Gaines, S
Nov 28, 2014; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Marcus Murphy (6) runs in for a touchdown as Arkansas Razorbacks safety Rohan Gaines (26) attempts the tackle during the second half at Faurot Field. Missouri won 21-14. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
High School/Hometown: Bainbridge High in Bainbridge
Recruiting Class: 2011
Star Rating: 3
Highlight: Four-year starter; Freshman All-American, SEC All-Freshman team; tied longest interception return in school history (100 yards) vs Ole Miss in 2014; 234 career tackles
Illinois - Dalton Wagner, OL
Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) celebrates with teammate Dalton Wagner (78) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Rice, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
High School/Hometown: Richmond Burton High in Richmond
Recruiting Class: 2017
Star Rating: 2
Highlight: Three-year starter; expected to start again in 2022
Kentucky - Mekale McKay, WR
Apr 20, 2013; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorback red wide receiver Mekale McKay (82) is brought down by Arkansas Razorback white cornerback Jared Collins (29) during the red vs. white spring football game at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports
High School/Hometown: Moore High in Louisville
Recruiting Class: 2012
Star Rating: 3
Highlight: Played one season with Arkansas before transferring to Cincinnati; 108 catches for 2,304 yards (21 and 317 with Arkansas)
Louisiana - De'Jon Harris, LB
Aug 31, 2019; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks linebacker De’Jon Harris (8) gets ready for the snap during the game against the Portland State Vikings at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
High School/Hometown: Warren High in Warren
Recruiting Class: 2019
Star Rating: 4
Highlight: Four-year starter; Fifth all-time in tackles; Three-time All-SEC selection, SEC All-Freshman team
Minnesota - Frank Ragnow, OL
Sep 23, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back David Williams (33) celebrates scoring a touchdown with Arkansas Razorbacks offensive lineman Frank Ragnow (72) in the game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
High School/Hometown: Chanhassen High in Chanhassen
Recruiting Class: 2014
Star Rating: 4
Highlight: Four-year starter; SEC All-Freshman team, two-time All-SEC, one-time All-American; top-graded center in FBS by Pro Football Focus in 2016 and 2017; 1st-round NFL pick in 2018; Started every game during four seasons in NFL; 2020 Pro Bowl selection
Mississippi - KJ Jefferson, QB
Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) throws a pass against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
High School/Hometown: North Panola in Sardis
Recruiting Class: 2019
Star Rating: 4
Highlight: 2,578 yards passing in first season as starter in 2021, with 21 touchdowns and 554 yards rushing with five touchdowns
Missouri - Armon Watts, DT
Arkansas defensive lineman Armon Watts (90) wraps up Auburn running back Kam Martin (9) during the first quarter Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. (Julie Bennett/Montgomery Advertiser)
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High School/Hometown: Christian Brothers in St. Louis
Recruiting Class: 2014
Star Rating: 3
Highlight: 49 tackles including 8 1/2 for-loss and seven sacks in one year as starter in 2018; drafted in sixth round in 2019; five sacks in seven starts for Minnesota so far in 2021.
New Jersey - Damon Mitchell, QB/RB/WR
Sep 12, 2015; Little Rock, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Damon Mitchell (7) runs the ball after a catch against Toledo Rockets defensive back DeJuan Rogers (23) during the second quarter at War Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
High School/Hometown: Cedar Creek High in Egg Harbor City
Recruiting Class: 2013
Star Rating: 3
Highlight: Caught six passes for 84 yards and a touchdown; 17 carries for 105 yards; transferred to Rutgers for final season
New York - Marquel Wade, WR
November 25, 2011; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Marquel Wade (1) is tackled by LSU Tigers wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) during a kick return during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
High School/Hometown: Milford Academy in New Berlin
Recruiting Class: 2011
Star Rating: 4
Highlight: Caught six passes for 82 yards in one season; removed from team after legal trouble
Oklahoma - Keon Hatcher, WR
Nov 25, 2016; Columbia, MO, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Keon Hatcher (4) runs the ball as Missouri Tigers linebacker Eric Beisel (38) attempts the tackle during the first half at Faurot Field. Missouri won 28-24. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
High School/Hometown: Owasso High in Owasso
Recruiting Class: 2012
Star Rating: 4
Highlight: Ranks 13th all-time in receptions, 11th all-time in yards receiving, fourth all-time in receiving touchdowns
Tennessee - Trey Knox, WR/TE
Nov 6, 2021; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Trey Knox (7) runs after a catch during the fourth quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
High School/Hometown: Blackman High in Murfreesboro
Recruiting Class: 2019
Star Rating: 4
Highlight: 53 catches for 585 yards and four touchdowns through three seasons; expected to start at tight end or wide receiver in 2022
Texas - Deatrich Wise Jr., DE
Nov 14, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks defensive lineman Deatrich Wise Jr. (48) celebrates after defeating the LSU Tigers 31-14 at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
High School/Hometown: Hebron High in Carrollton
Recruiting Class: 2011
Star Rating: 4
Highlight: Ranked 10th all-time in sacks; fourth-round draft pick in 2017; 17 sacks in five NFL seasons
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