Arkansas has landed one of its most significant early recruiting victories of the early Ryan Silverfield era. Four-star running back TJ Hodges, a 6’1”, 185-pound standout from Bryant (AR), has officially flipped his commitment from Missouri to the Razorbacks. Hodges had been pledged to the Tigers since October, but Arkansas’ new head coach wasted no time making him a top priority.
The flip marks another rapid recruiting win for Silverfield, who has been aggressively active in the early days of his tenure. And for a program in rebuild mode, securing elite in-state talent is exactly the kind of momentum Arkansas needed.
What Arkansas Is Getting in Hodges
Hodges is one of the most dynamic running back prospects in the region. His game is built on instincts, suddenness, and explosive acceleration, all traits that made him one of the most coveted players in the state.
Scouting notes on Hodges include:
- Instinctive, crafty runner with explosive initial burst and strong second-level creativity.
- Lean, sinewy frame but unorthodox movement patterns that make him consistently evasive.
- Shows excellent short-area quickness, redirection ability, and overall suddenness.
- Displays above-average contact balance considering his relatively slender build.
- Flashes impressive first-level acceleration, hitting openings with urgency.
- Limited pass-catching reps, but has shown promising screen-game ability.
As he transitions to college, adding additional mass will help strengthen his run-finishing ability and short-yardage reliability. Still, the profile is clear: Hodges is a Power Four–caliber back with verified speed and natural instincts, offering more “lightning” than “thunder” but plenty of big-play potential.
A Top In-State Talent Stays Home
The recruiting rankings, according to ON3 rivals industry ranking, underscore the magnitude of this addition. Hodges is rated:
- No. 3 player in Arkansas
- No. 311 nationally
- No. 20 running back in the country
He now joins fellow top-five in-state recruits Beale and Dequane Prevo, giving Arkansas commitments from three of the state’s premier prospects.
Keeping elite Arkansas talent inside the state borders has long been considered a foundational step for rebuilding the program’s recruiting identity. For a new head coach, winning those battles early is invaluable.
Silverfield Scores Another Win And Sends a Message
Hodges’ flip from Missouri also carries a symbolic punch:
Arkansas didn’t just secure a top-tier in-state player, they took him from an SEC rival.
For a coach who has only been on the job a few days, Silverfield is already proving he can close quickly, recruit aggressively, and get the rebuild going in a hurry. With Early Signing Day approaching on December 3rd, his early momentum is exactly what Razorback fans hoped to see.
If the trend continues, Silverfield’s opening stretch may be remembered as the moment Arkansas reestablished its recruiting direction, starting from within and building outward. And flipping TJ Hodges? It’s a big step in the right direction.