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FB Recruiting Arkansas flips UCLA 4-star QB commit Madden Iamaleava

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Head coach Sam Pittman and the Arkansas Razorbacks successfully flipped and signed a highly-regarded 2025 UCLA quarterback commit Wednesday afternoon.

Dual-threat four-star signal caller Madden Iamaleava — the younger brother of former five-star and current Tennessee starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava — will be joining the Hogs as a member of the 2025 recruiting class.

RELATED: Arkansas lands 4-star WR Ja'kayden Ferguson on signing day

A native of California, the 6-foot-2, 191-pounder received offers from programs like Auburn, Colorado, Georgia Tech, Miami, Ole Miss, Oregon, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and others before landing with the Razorbacks.

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According to MaxPreps, Iamaleava completed 196-of-311 passes for 3,626 yards, 43 touchdowns and just four interceptions as a junior in 2023 for Warren High School. He also rushed for 305 yards and three scores on 78 carries.

Iamaleava attempted to transfer to Long Beach Poly High School after playing in the opener for Warren High School to start the 2024 season, but was denied eligibility by the California Interscholastic Federation. Because of this, he was unable to play football the rest of his senior year.

Following Iamaleava's signing, the Razorbacks' 2025 recruiting class now sits with 23 members, 21 of which have signed. The only remaining commitments are three-star athlete Markeylin Batton and three-star offensive lineman Connor Howes.

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Football Arkansas wide receiver Isaiah Sategna to transfer

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Arkansas wide receiver Isaiah Sategna announced Wednesday evening his intentions to enter the transfer portal, which opens Dec. 9.

The redshirts sophomore earned Second-Team Preseason honors from Phil Steele prior to the 2024 campaign, in which Sategna totaled 37 catches for 491 yards and one touchdown.

In three seasons with the Razorbacks, the Fayetteville native made 54 grabs for 632 yards and three scores across 28 games. The best performance of his career came against Auburn on Sept. 21, when he made three receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown.

According to Pro Football Focus, Sategna received a 65.0 offensive grade on 599 snaps. That includes a 64.6 pass grade.

Sategna is the fourth Hog to officially announce his intentions of entering the transfer portal, as wide receiver Davion Dozier, quarterback Malachi Singleton and others will look for greener pastures as well when the window opens Dec. 9. Former tight ends Ty Washington and Var’keyes Gumms, who were dismissed from the team during the season, will also enter the portal.

Isaiah Sategna Bio:​


2024 Second-Team Preseason All-SEC (CFN, Phil Steele)
2024 Jet Award Watch List2023 Third-Team All-SEC (Phil Steele)
2023 Freshman All-SEC (Coaches)

2024 (REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE):
Logged one reception for six yards and returned a punt 11 yards in a loss at Missouri (Nov. 30) … Recorded five receptions for 54 yards in addition to totaling 16 return yards on four returns during a win over Louisiana Tech (Nov. 23) … Tallied two receptions for 24 yards vs. Texas (Nov. 16) … Caught two passes for 24 yards vs. Ole Miss (Nov. 2) … Had two receptions for 16 yards in a win at Mississippi State (Oct. 26) … Registered four receptions for 54 yards vs. LSU (Cct. 19) … Hauled in five passes for 75 yards and returned two punts for 13 yards in a win over No. 4 Tennessee (Oct. 5) … Registered six receptions for 27 yards while rushing once for 15 yards in a loss to Texas A&M (Sept. 28) … Led Arkansas with 85 yards receiving one three catches while hauling in a 58-yard touchdown pass from Taylen Green during the third quarter of. A 24-14 win at Auburn (Sept. 21) … Caught two passes for 16 yards against UAB (Sept. 14) … Registered 73 yards receiving on four catches and returned one kickoff for 16 yards at Oklahoma State (Sept. 7) … Tallied 97 all-purpose yards, courtesy of a 34-yard reception, 33-yard punt return and 30-yard kickoff return in win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Aug. 29).

2023 (REDSHIRT FRESHMAN): Earned Freshman All-SEC from the league’s coaches and Third-Team All-SEC honors from Phil Steele as a return specialist, playing in all 12 games with one start … Caught 15 passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns to go with 23 kick returns for 500 yards and 15 punt returns for 180 yards and one touchdown … Led the team with 837 all-purpose yards, including four games 100-yard games … His 23 kick returns are tied for sixth in a single season by a Razorback in school history with his 500 kick return yards cracking the school’s single-season top 10 at 10th … His 680 total return yards are the sixth-most in a single season by a Razorback in program history … Accounted for 111 all-purpose yards in win over Western Carolina (Sept. 2), catching two passes for 14 yards, returning two kicks for 23 yards and two punts for 51 yards … Took a punt 88 yards to the house for a touchdown vs. BYU (Sept. 16) as part of his 174 all-purpose yards … His 88-yard punt return is the fourth-longest punt return TD in school history with his 169 returns yards vs. the Cougars the third-most … Returned one kick for 19 yards at LSU (Sept. 23) … Caught one pass for two yards and returned three kicks for 82 yards, including a season-best 36-yard return … Hauled in his first touchdown pass of the season at Alabama (Oct. 14) and added 36 yards on a pair of kick returns … Set a career-best with three catches in win at Florida (Nov. 4) for 22 yards, topped 100 all-purpose yards for the third time with 108 yards (69 punt return yards, 17 kick return yards) … Caught the longest pass of his career vs. Auburn (Nov. 11), snagging a 35-yarder … Amassed 165 all-purpose yards for the fourth time vs. Florida International (Nov. 18), returning four kicks for 100 yards, rushing once for 28 yards and catching two passes for 37 yards – including a 32-yard touchdown.

2022 (FRESHMAN): Saw action in four games to reserve his redshirt in his first season at Arkansas … Caught two passes for 12 yards … Hauled in his first career reception in win at Auburn (Oct. 29), taking a pop pass 10 yards … Had one reception for two yards in AutoZone Liberty Bowl victory over Kansas (Dec. 28) … Emerged during spring practice in 2023, capping the spring with three catches for 90+ yards and two touchdowns in team’s final scrimmage.

HIGH SCHOOL: Consensus four-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN … Member of Rivals250, coming in as the No. 159 overall prospect in the nation … Top-rated prospect in the state of Arkansas and No. 29 wide receiver according to 247Sports … No. 1 overall prospect in Arkansas and No. 24 wide receiver in the country by Rivals … Played wide receiver for head coach and former Arkansas QB Casey Dick at Fayetteville High School … 172 receptions for 3,261 yards and 25 touchdowns during his high school career, including 100 catches for a nation-leading 1,908 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior for state runner-up Bulldogs … Totaled six rushing attempts for 157 yards and three touchdowns on the ground in his career … Also returned kickoffs, accumulating 484 total return yards (24.2 avg.) with one kickoff return touchdown during his high school career … Competed in track & field at Fayetteville, checking in as the No. 4 prospect in the nation for the 2022 class by MileSplit … Named 2021-22 Gatorade Arkansas Boys Track & Field Player of the Year … CHOSE ARKANSAS OVER: Auburn, Baylor, Cincinnati, Colorado, Florida State, Oregon and others.

PERSONAL: Son of Mario and Dahlia Sategna … Has one sister, Isabella … Born July 11, 2003.

Football Fernando Carmona Jr. to return for Arkansas

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The Razorbacks received positive news Wednesday, as starting left tackle Fernando Carmona Jr. announced via his "Pin and Pull" podcast that he will return in 2025 for his redshirt senior season with Arkansas.

Carmona transferred to Fayetteville from San Jose State prior to the 2024 season, which was his fourth year of college football. He started all 12 regular season games at left tackle for first-year offensive line coach Eric Mateos.

The 6-foot-5, 322-pound native of Las Vegas was named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week on two occasions this season. He earned the honors after the season-opening win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff for helping the Hogs rush for 279 yards against the Golden Lions. Carmona was also honors after helping pave the way for 434 yards of total offense in the Oct. 5 upset win over Tennessee.

According to Pro Football Focus, Carmona logged a career-high 834 regular season snaps for the Razorbacks this year. He posted a 67.5 overall grade with a 73.6 mark in pass blocking.

Nicknamed "Junior," Carmona was an Honorable Mention All-Mountain West left tackle in 2023 after starting all 12 regular season games for San Jose State and finishing with an 81.5 PFF grade in 2023. He was praised all spring and during fall camp for his leadership.

"Fernando, he’s on the offensive side, I like to watch that kid," defensive coordinator Travis Williams said Aug. 21. "You’re talking about a leader. I like to watch that kid lead those guys, lead the offensive linemen."

Click here to keep track of all the offseason roster movement for the Razorbacks.

Fernando Carmona Jr. Arkansas Bio​

SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week (Sept. 2, 2024, Oct. 7, 2024)2024 Honorable Mention Preseason All-SEC (CFN)

2024 (REDSHIRT JUNIOR)
Started during a loss to Missouri (Nov. 30) … Started in a win over Louisiana Tech (Nov. 23) … Started against Texas (Nov. 16) … Started in a loss to Ole Miss (Nov. 2) … Helped pave the way for 673 yards of total offense (314 passing, 359 rushing) while not allowing a single sack, during the Razorbacks’ dominant 58-25 win over Mississippi State (Oct. 26) …Started in a loss to LSU (Oct. 19) … Earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors after paving the way for 434 yards of total offense in a win over No. 4 Tennessee (Oct. 5) … Started in loss to Texas A&M (Sept. 28) … Started in a win at Auburn (Sept. 21) … Played an integral role in helping Arkansas rush for 200-plus yards in its first three games of the season … Started in a win over UAB (Sept. 14) … Started on the Arkansas offensive line at Oklahoma State, paving way for 648 yards of total offense (Sept. 7) … Earned SEC Offensive lineman of the week honors after a season-opening win over UAPB (Sept. 2) …Started at left tackle while paving way for 279 rushing yards and 408 yards of total offense in win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Aug. 29).

At San Jose State2023 (REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE):Honorable Mention All-Mountain West Conference honoree … Started all 12 regular season games on the offensive line, guiding San Jose State to a co-regular season Mountain West Championship … Played a total of 765 snaps and finished the season with an overall grade of 81.5 per PFF … Logged a pass block grade of 81.0 and a run block grade of 78.9 … Allowed just two sacks in 424 pass blocking snaps … Anchored a San Jose State rushing attack that ran for 233 yards in regular season finale vs. UNLV … Blocked for two San Jose State players who both eclipsed over 800 rushing yards on the season … Helped running back Kairee Robinson rank third nationally in rushing touchdowns (18) and fourth nationally in yards per carry (7.13) in 2023 … Allowed the Spartans to gain over 100 rushing yards in 10 games, including five games with 200+ total rushing yards and one game with 300+ total rushing yards.

2022 (REDSHIRT FRESHMAN):Started all 12 games at left tackle … Recorded 809 offensive snaps … Allowed just three sacks in 569 pass blocking snaps … Earned his first collegiate start against Portland State (Sept. 1) … Earned Academic All-Mountain West honors.

2021 (FRESHMAN): Redshirt season … Appeared in one game, making his collegiate debut against Southern Utah (Aug. 28).

HIGH SCHOOL: Played for head coach Eric Capetillo at Las Vegas High School in Las Vegas, Nev. … Lined up at tight end, receiving second-team All-Sunrise League honors in 2019 … Finished season with 13 receptions for 152 yards and a touchdown … Also played basketball and tennis.

PERSONAL: Son of Fernando and Gail Carmona … Father, Fernando, was an All-Western Athletic Conference first baseman for Utah in 1985 … Brother, George, was a long snapper for UNLV in 2016 … Birthdate: July 8, 2002.

FB Recruiting 2025 National Signing Day Thread

Good morning, wonderful members of this community. Today is National Signing Day and the first day of the early signing period, which runs through Friday.

Arkansas sits with 22 commits in the 2025 class, which ranks 30th nationally on Rivals.

The Hogs will be looking to avoid a couple of flips, specifically with linebacker Tavion Wallace and offensive lineman Connor Howes. Arkansas will also hope to add some new faces to the class as well.

We will update this thread whenever anything notable comes through!

Also, we are expecting to have some sort of press conference with Sam Pittman today. Time TBD, given he just had surgery yesterday.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW 2025 CLASS

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Reports: Sam Pittman to return in 2025

Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman will reportedly return in 2025 for a sixth season of leading the Razorback football program, according to multiple national reports. HawgBeat reported this information Nov. 11 on The Trough premium message board.

The reports come come one day before the 63-year-old is set to have surgery to repair a broken hip he's dealt with for the entire 2024 season, which resulted in a 6-6 overall record and a 3-5 mark in Southeastern Conference play for Arkansas.

Pittman owns a 29-31 overall record during his tenure in Fayetteville, which began with the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season. The Hogs went 3-7 in an SEC-only schedule to gain bowl eligibility and momentum entering Pittman's best season in 2021.

Arkansas went 9-4 with an Outback Bowl win over Penn State during Pittman's second season in 2021 and the Hogs have not reached those heights since, unfortunately. They regressed by going 7-6 the next season in 2022, but still earned a Liberty Bowl win over Kansas. Things hit an all-time low during Pittman's tenure in 2023, when the Hogs had a disastrous 4-8 season.

The Razorbacks turned things around this year with changes on the offense staff, starting with bringing Bobby Petrino back as offensive coordinator. Petrino led the nation's No. 13 total offense during the regular season.

All signs have pointed towards a return in 2025 for Pittman with bowl eligibility once again clinched for the fourth time in five seasons. Sources indicated late in the regular season that a sixth win would be enough for Pittman to return, and that's remained the same, but things always change in college football.

Arkansas will have plenty of work to do in the transfer portal, and HawgBeat will be covering the search closely on The Trough premium message board.
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Football Official 24-25 Transfer Portal Thread (Football)

Portal season is now less than a week away (Dec. 9, although players are already announcing), so it's time to really get this thread rolling.

I'll post updates ITT randomly when I hear from players or when I think coaches are interested in somebody (usually based on social media follows). Or if any interesting names enter the portal.

The OP will be updated with names as well, so you won't have to constantly scroll through pages to see what's new.

I've separated players into Power 5/Non-P5 tiers, plus ordered them in terms of PFF grade:

OFFENSE

QB:

P5:
Miller Moss - USC (79.2 PFF grade, 605 snaps)
Anthony Colandrea - Virginia (66.8 PFF grade, 705 snaps)
Justin Lamson - Stanford (61.2 PFF grade, 164 snaps)

NP5:
Keyone Jenkins - FIU (74.8 PFF grade, 675 snaps)
Jacob Zeno - UAB (70.8 PFF grade, 294 snaps)



RB:

P5:
Parker Jenkins - Houston (56.1 PFF grade, 66 snaps)

NP5:
Jamar Curtis - Lafayette (85.7 PFF grade, 554 snaps)
CJ Campbell Jr. - FAU (77.1 PFF grade, 520 snaps)



WR:

P5:
Johntay Cook - Texas (69.4 PFF grade, 114 snaps)
Creed Whittemore - Mississippi State (63.6 PFF grade, 92 snaps)
Jaquaize Pettaway - Oklahoma (61.7 PFF grade, 91 snaps)
Kody Epps - BYU (52.5 PFF grade, 135 snaps)
Malachi Coleman - Nebraska (DNP, former No. 60 recruit)
JJ Harrell - Mississippi State (DNP)

NP5:
Bryson Canty - Columbia (85.3 PFF grade, 481 snaps)
Cameron Barmore - Mercyhurst (84.6 PFF grade, 663 snaps)
Eric Rivers - FIU (82.8 PFF grade, 614 snaps)
Cooper Barkate - Harvard (80.7 PFF grade, 609 snaps)
Omari Hayes - FAU (80.0 PFF grade, 366 snaps)
Javonnie Gibson - UAPB (78.3 PFF grade, 667 snaps)
Corey Rucker - Arkansas State (78.0 PFF grade, 728 snaps)
Dean Patterson - FIU (75.5 PFF grade, 679 snaps)
O'Mega Blake - Charlotte (75.1 PFF grade, 373 snaps)
Chase Sowell - ECU (70.6 PFF grade, 437 snaps)
Sam Mbake - JUCO (played at Arkansas previously)
Malik Tobias - Mercer (DNP)



TE:

P5:
Jerry Cross - Penn State (48.3 PFF grade, 19 snaps)
Tayvion Galloway - Purdue (DNP, considered AR out of HS)

NP5:
Zach Atkins - Northwest Missouri State, expected to visit Dec. 11-12
Harold Fannin Jr. - Bowling Green (95.7 PFF grade, 649 snaps)
Justin Leszynski - Harvard (67.6 PFF grade, 21 snaps)
Wyatt Sullivan - FAU (52.2 PFF grade, 564 snaps)
Tyler Siddons - UCA (31.9 PFF grade, 175 snaps)

OL:

P5:
Corey Robinson II - Georgia Tech T (69.9 PFF grade, 539 snaps)
Wilkin Formby - Alabama T (61.5 PFF grade, 247 snaps)
Nick Morrow - Cal T (56.9 PFF grade, 672 snaps)
Luke Baklenko - Stanford T (55.7 PFF grade, 646 snaps)
Mahamane Moussa - Purdue G (49.7 PFF grade, 655 snaps)
Jason Brooks Jr. - Oklahoma State G (DNP)

NP5:
Brady Wilson - UAB C (80.6 PFF grade, 863 snaps)
Teague Andersen - Utah State T (80.4 PFF grade, 788 snaps)
Derek Simmons - WCU T (78.8 PFF grade, 612 snaps)
Taran Tyo - Ball State T (78.3 PFF grade, 758 snaps)
Xavior Gray - Liberty T (69.6 PFF grade, 528 snaps)
Isaiah World - Nevada T (69.1 PFF grade, 854 snaps)
Ryan Joyce - Fordham G (67.6 PFF grade, 823 snaps)
Nick Maarinaro - Dartmouth C (66.9 PFF grade, 623 snaps)
Jonny King - Charlotte C (65.8 PFF grade, 737 snaps)
Simon Wilson - MTSU C (64.7 PFF grade, 720 snaps)
Christo Kelly - Holy Cross C (61.5 PFF grade, 778 snaps)
PJ Wilkins - Charlotte G (60.9 PFF grade, 142 snaps)
Naeer Jackson - FIU G (55.9 PFF grade, 618 snaps)
Josh Robinson - Murray State T (54.6 PFF grade, 262 snaps, AR native)
Ender Aguilar - Tulsa G (54.2 PFF grade, 616 snaps, was recruited by AR in HS)



DEFENSE

DT:

N/A

DE:

P5:
Justus Boone - Florida (68.8 PFF grade, 138 snaps)

NP5:
Kameron Olds - Kent State (74.1 PFF grade, 474 snaps)
Demon Clowney - Charlotte (70.6 PFF grade, 214 snaps)


LB:

Everett Roussaw Jr. - UAB (69.6 PFF grade, 585 snaps)


CB:

P5:
Julian Humphrey - Georgia (69.1 PFF grade, 427 snaps)

NP5:
Keshawn Davila - JUCO (three-star)


S:

Jayden Davis - Fresno State (58.8 PFF grade, 554 snaps)
Cole Wisniewski - NDSU

Pair of 2025 four-star offensive linemen set Arkansas official visit dates

Arkansas Razorbacks offensive line coach Eric Mateos is only a few months into his job in Fayetteville, but he’s hot on the recruiting trail in the class of 2025.

Two four-star offensive linemen — Connor Carty and Logan Schram — announced Thursday that they have plans to be in Arkansas for official visits from May 31 to June 2.

Both prospects hail from the state of Texas, Carty is from Prosper — near the Dallas area — while Schram is further south in Boerne, which is near the San Antonio area.

It should come as no surprise that Arkansas is recruiting the state of Texas given Mateos’ previous stop at Baylor, especially considering the lack of offensive linemen from the Lone Star State the Hogs have gotten in recent years.

In the four recruiting classes Sam Pittman has put together at Arkansas, only one offensive lineman has come from Texas in three-star Bogata native Cole Carson.

Connor Carty​


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Carty is ranked as the No. 214 overall player in the country, No. 35 player in the state of Texas and No. 8 guard in the country according to Rivals. He holds offers from Texas A&M, LSU, USC, Oklahoma and more in addition to the Razorbacks.

He also has an official visit to Texas A&M scheduled for the weekend following his trip to Fayetteville, June 7-9, and a trip to Texas Tech scheduled for June 14-16.

Keep an eye on Texas Tech as the main competition for Carty’s commitment. Both of his parents are Red Raider alumni and his father grew up in Lubbock.

The Red Raiders also have one of his former teammates — offensive lineman Ellis Davis — on their roster as well.

It’s worth noting that two Rivals forecasts have been made for Carty to commit to Texas A&M, too.

Logan Schram​


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Schram is another player that Arkansas will have to battle several schools for, as he holds offers from Texas A&M, Auburn, TCU and Tennessee in addition to the Razorbacks.

Along with the official visit to Arkansas, Schram will see TCU on May 3-5 and Texas Tech on June 7-9.

Arkansas extended its offer to Schram on Dec. 5, but it's worth noting that he's been on Mateos' radar for a while. He reported an offer from Baylor on June 25, 2022, and Schram was one of Mateos' first offers when he rejoined the Hogs' coaching staff.

Schram plays left tackle for Boerne High School, which is arguably the most important position on the line. He plays with good speed and footwork and has the length and frame that will translate well to the next level.

Texas A&M was at one point the team to beat in his recruitment, but Tennessee may be a factor down the road. Of course, given the prowess Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman has with offensive lineman, the Hogs could be a bit of a dark horse in his recruitment as well.

FB Recruiting Arkansas lands 4-star WR Ja'kayden Ferguson on signing day

From @Brody Lusk

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On National Signing Day, Arkansas receivers coach Ronnie Fouch and the Razorbacks added a new member to their 2025 recruiting class.

Despite never visiting Arkansas before, four-star wide receiver Ja’kayden Ferguson signed with the Razorbacks, making him the fourth receiver in the class. He joins Warren (Ark.) native Antonio Jordan, Florida’s Kamare Williams and in-state Parkview athlete Quentin Murphy, who is expected to play wide receiver.

A 6-foot-3, 175-pound wideout, Ferguson was previously committed to Kentucky but decommitted Nov. 13th. Arkansas extended an offer to Ferguson on Feb. 2nd, and once he reopened his recruitment, the Razorbacks pursued him aggressively, along with LSU. On Wednesday, Ferguson made it official by choosing Arkansas.

He joins a recruiting class ranked 29th nationally and 14th in the SEC before his pledge. Ferguson’s commitment brings the Razorbacks’ total to 23, with 17 of those players signed. The remaining commitments include Kevin Oats, Caleb Bell, Connor Howes, Jayden Shelton, Markeylin Batton and fellow wideout Kamare Williams.

Ferguson had an impressive senior season at Fort Bend Marshall, as he earned a nomination to the final ballot of the 2024 Whataburger Super Team. He’s up for the honor alongside five-star Dakorien Moore and several other standout wide receivers from Texas.

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FB Recruiting 3-star UCLA WR commit Jace Brown flips to Arkansas

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Arkansas has dipped into UCLA's 2025 recruiting class for the second time Wednesday, as three-star pass-catcher Jace Brown announced his commitment to the Razorbacks.

A 6-foot-2, 194-pound native of California, Brown joins fellow high school teammate and quarterback Madden Iamaleava in flipping to Arkansas.

Though Brown is listed as a tight end by Rivals, his smaller stature gives him the versatility to play wide receiver for Bobby Petrino's unit.

Brown was offered by programs like Arizona, Notre Dame, Utah, Washington State and others before landing with the Hogs.

Following Brown's signing, the Razorbacks' 2025 recruiting class now sits with 23 members, 21 of which have signed. The only remaining commitments are three-star athlete Markeylin Batton and three-star offensive lineman Connor Howes.

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