Arkansas football loses 2027 3-Star QB commitment amid Silverfield transition

Three-star quarterback Joaquin Kavouklis has officially decommitted from Arkansas and reopened his recruitment, stepping back onto the market ahead of his junior season. Kavouklis had been pledged to the Razorbacks since July 3, showing loyalty through a period of transition within the program, but the 6-foot-1 signal-caller is now opting to explore his options in the 2027 cycle.

Joaquin Kavouklis: The Talented 3-Star QB Keeping His Options Open

Kavouklis originally committed to Arkansas under the previous coaching staff and remained pledged even as the program shifted into the Ryan Silverfield era. While his decision to stay committed initially spoke to his belief in the Razorbacks, the evolving direction of the offense and overall fit may not have aligned with what he envisioned when he first pledged. With a new staff in place, Kavouklis appears intent on ensuring he finds the best long-term situation for his development.

His decision also comes amid a rapidly changing quarterback room in Fayetteville. Fellow 2027 quarterback commit Hank Hendrix recently reclassified to the 2026 class and is set to arrive at Arkansas sooner than expected. In addition, Silverfield was able to bring former four-star quarterback AJ Hill with him from Memphis, who still has four years of eligibility remaining. With depth and competition stacking up quickly, Kavouklis’ choice to reassess his recruitment looks like a calculated and prudent move rather than a definitive break from the program.

Importantly, Kavouklis will most likely be keeping the door open not burning any bridges to a potential return to Arkansas, should the fit and opportunity present themselves down the line.

On the field, Kavouklis has continued to trend upward. According to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average utilizing all major recruiting services, he ranks as the No. 718 overall prospect and the No. 53 quarterback in the 2027 class. He is also listed as the No. 80 recruit in the state of Florida.

As a sophomore, Kavouklis threw for 2,404 yards and 21 touchdowns against eight interceptions, completing 61 percent of his passes and averaging more than 14 yards per completion, per MaxPreps. He followed up a strong freshman campaign in 2023 at Clearwater Academy International, where he passed for 1,608 yards and 13 touchdowns, by taking a noticeable step forward in efficiency and production.

Recruiting interest remains steady despite the decommitment. Programs such as Miami, Penn State, Purdue, and others continue to monitor the Florida quarterback closely as he looks to build on his early success and further elevate his profile heading into his junior season.

For now, Kavouklis’ recruitment is wide open, and with two productive seasons already on tape, he figures to be a name that continues to gain traction as the 2027 cycle takes shape.