2013 CFB Recruiting: “Fayetteville Three” Sign LOIs

Arkansas Razorback fans are excited to see the Fayetteville Three on campus next season. Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports

Fayetteville, Ark. – A long and loyal road for the trio known as “The Fayetteville Three” came to an end on Wednesday as they were among the first 2013 college football recruits to sign and turn in their letters of intent to begin National Signing Day for the Arkansas Razorbacks.

The trio of players, each from Fayetteville, Ark., includes quarterback Austin Allen, linebacker Brooks Ellis, and safety Alex Brignoni. The Fayetteville Three lead the Bulldogs to back-to-back state titles in the state’s highest classification, 7-A.

When Allen was offered by Arkansas in Feb. of 2012 he had this to say about the experience, “Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve been going to Arkansas football camps. I always dreamed about playing for the Razorbacks. Every kid in the state of Arkansas wants to get offered by the University of Arkansas, so it’s a huge honor to be offered by the Razorbacks.”

Allen threw for 4,150 yards and connected for 46 touchdowns while only throwing 11 picks during his junior season. As a senior he threw for 3,593 yards with 29 touchdowns in 56 fewer attempts than the previous season.

Playing safety as a sophomore, Ellis earned the 2010 Sophomore Defensive Player of the Year Award by the Democrat-Gazette when he recorded 130 tackles. He went on to win the Defensive Player of the Year Award for the state of Arkansas in 2011 and 2012 totaling 206 tackles over both seasons.

Brignoni had a standout season in 2011 and 2012 recording 126 tackles his junior season and 102 during his senior campaign. In 2012 he was credited with 10 interceptions.

Ellis received scholarship offers from Notre Dame, Arizona State, Vanderbilt, Purdue, and Mississippi State among other schools.

Brignoni had offers from Arkansas State, Illinois, and Kent State among other programs.

Allen, an Elite 8 semi-finalist and Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year, received offers from Oklahoma State, Notre Dame, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt among others.

Arkansas Razorback Commitments for the 2013 Recruiting Class

1. QB Austin Allen, 6’2”, 217 pounds, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 4-Star

2. LB Brooks Ellis, 6’2”, 215 pounds, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 3-Star

3. SS Alex Brignoni, 6’1”, 190 pounds, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 3-Star

4. TE Hunter Henry, 6’6”, 235 pounds, Little Rock, Arkansas, 4-Star

5. LB Myke Tavarres, 6’2”, 220 pounds, Weed (JC), California, 3-Star*

6. CB Carroll Washington, 6’0”, 175 pounds, Salinas (JC), California, 4-Star*

7. DE Tevin Beanum, 6’4”, 235 pounds, Forrest City, Arkansas, 3-Star

8. OT John McClure, 6’4”, 310 pounds, El Dorado (JC), Texas, 3-Star*

9. WR Drew Morgan, 6’0”, 185 pounds, Greenwood, Arkansas, 3-Star

10. SS Tiquention Coleman, 5’10”, 200 pounds, Milledgeville (JC), Georgia, 3-Star*

11. LB Martrell Spaight, 6’0”, 220 pounds, Coffeyville (JC), Kansas, 3-Star*

12. P Sam Irwin-Hill, 6’3”, 210 pound, City College of San Francisco (JC), 2-Star

13. OG Reeve Koehler, 6’3”, 320 pounds, Honolulu, Hawaii, 4-Star

14. FS De’Andre Coley, 6’1”, 185 pounds, Miami, Florida, 2-Star

15. CB D.J. Dean, 5’10”, 185 pounds, Newton, Texas, 3-Star

16. DT Ke’tyrus Marks, 6’2”, 285 pounds, Riviera Beach, Florida, 3-Star

17. OT Dan Skipper, 6’10”, 292 pounds, Arvada, Colorado, 3-Star

18. SS Korliss Marshall, 6’0”, 190 ponds, Osceola, Arkansas, 3-Star

19. RB Denzell Evans, 6’0”, 205 pounds, Bellaire, Texas, 3-Star

20. CB Melvinson Hartfield, 5’11”, 185 pounds, Dallas, Texas, 3-Star

21. RB Alex Collins, 5’11”, 210 pounds, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 5-Star**

22. OT Denver Kirkland, 6’5”, 333 pounds, Miami, Florida, 4-Star

23. QB DamonMitchell, 6’2”, 190 pounds, Egg Harbor City, NJ, 4-Star

** Verbally committed but unsigned as of this writing

Arkansas Razorback Commitments for the 2014 Recruiting Class

1. QB Rafe Peavey, Bolivar, Missouri, 4-Star

2. DT Bijhon Jackson, El Dorado, Arkansas, 4-Star

3. RB Juan Day, North Little Rock, Arkansas, not rated

Verbal commitments are non-binding.

* Denotes signed Letter of Intent.

Arkansas Razorback Walk-ons for 2013

1. QB A.J. Derby, Iowa City, Iowa

2. FB Patick Arinze, San Diego, California

3. OT Austin Boice, Lamar, Missouri