Arkansas football is emerging as a contender in the recruitment of one of Louisiana’s top wide receiver prospects. Four-star wideout Miguel Whitley has been carefully evaluating his options, with LSU Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin and his program battling at the top for the elite talent.
Miguel Whitley: Four-Star WR Drawing Major College Attention
Whitley currently checks in as the No. 8 player in Louisiana and has climbed into the Top-100 nationally in the 2027 recruiting cycle. Programs from across the country are in pursuit, including the LSU Tigers, Ohio State Buckeyes, Ole Miss Rebels, Texas Longhorns, and the Arkansas Razorbacks. For Ryan Silverfield and his staff, being in the mix with this caliber of talent, especially from Louisiana, a state long dominated by the hometown Tigers, speaks volumes about the progress of the Razorbacks’ rebuild.
The 6-foot, 170-pound receiver had an outstanding junior season, hauling in 46 passes for 869 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 18.9 yards per catch. Whitley’s skill set and production have made him one of the top five prospects in the state and a highly sought-after target for programs looking to add playmaking ability at the wideout position. He can add some much needed speed to any programs roster as he ran an 11.49 100 and a 22.95 200 as a sophomore for Track and Field.
Can LSU Tigers Hold Off Arkansas?
Arkansas is scheduled to host Whitley for an unofficial visit on April 25, while LSU will be his last stop for an official visit from June 19-21. While the Tigers currently hold the edge in the race, Silverfield’s staff has a chance to shake things up. Securing a commitment from Whitley in Kiffin’s home state would be a statement win for the Razorbacks, signaling that the program is trending upward in recruiting and competing at a level previously reserved for regional powers. It also adds another element with LSU being an in-conference foe, so stealing a big time recruit would be even more important.
The 2026 class presented challenges for Silverfield as he worked to make his mark on the program during his first offseason in Fayetteville. The 2027 cycle, however, represents an opportunity for the head coach to begin building the identity he envisions for Arkansas football. Landing a talent like Whitley could serve as a cornerstone for the offense and a sign that the rebuild is gaining momentum in the right direction.
If Silverfield can pull off a “highway robbery” in Louisiana and secure Whitley’s commitment, it would not only signal a shift in recruiting dynamics but also hint at a changing tide for Arkansas football in the Southeast.