Arkansas Razorbacks Football: National Signing Day Expectations
By Tommy Tabler
To maintain a competitive football team national signing day is important and having realistic national signing day expectations is important especially in the SEC.
The challenge that lies ahead for Sam Pittman and his staff is to close out the 2021 recruiting period on a strong note. Arkansas has a difficult time in the last half of the season as far racking up the wins on the field. However, that is not killed the recruiting momentum the Razorbacks have been building. We are going to examine the highlights of the 2021 recruiting class thus far.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Razorbacks have hauled in some impressive recruits. Wide receiver Ketron Jackson is a four-star commit out of Royse City, TX. Jackson is someone that the Hogs are going to count on to provide big plays over the next few years in Fayetteville. Jackson has terrific speed, and he will have the opportunity to see the field early in his career. The Hogs were able to secure his commitment in early September and receiving his letter of intent on signing day will be a focus for Pittman and his staff.
Meanwhile, at the running back position Tulsa Union’s AJ Green has been the focus of the recruiting efforts. The factor that stands out the most with AJ Green is the excellent speed he has. However, Green is a patient runner, and he will allow the block to be set up well before he picks a rushing lane. Green is a talented runner, and he will likely get an opportunity to earn some carries for the Hogs next season.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Razorbacks have produced a solid recruiting class. Cornerback Keuan Parker is going to give the Arkansas secondary some depth. What fans will like the most is Parker will not shy away from contact and has no problem coming up and making the tackle. Parker is a cornerback that can be a pest to opposing wide receivers and that type of player will fit in great with the scheme that defensive coordinator Barry Odom has put together.
The Arkansas linebacking unit is a unit that needs depth for the 2021 season and Marco Avant out of Jonesboro, AR fits that description perfectly. Avant is a player that has lined up all over the field for Jonesboro. Avant is a hard-hitting linebacker and someone that will fit in perfectly with Bumper Pool and Grant Morgan. Once the defensive coaches get a chance to work with him on his coverage, the Razorbacks will have a solid SEC linebacker.
The bottom line is Arkansas has a chance to have a top-20 recruiting class. The staff has done an excellent job of securing the commitments of players that fill a need. Look for Arkansas to close out the 2021 recruiting class in a strong fashion and immediately shift focus to the 2022 class. Sam Pittman’s staff is one that seems to be always working on the recruiting targets and they do a good job landing the guys they want.