UA Media Relations
The following student-athletes enrolled at the University of Arkansas in January of 2011:
*Brey Cook, Fr., OL, 6-7, 317, Springdale, Ark. (Har-Ber HS)
*Quinta Funderburk, Fr., WR, 6-4, 191, Chesapeake, Va. (Oscar Frommel Smith HS)
*Tyler Gilbert, Fr., LB, 6-3, 241, Sorrento, La. (John Curtis Christian HS/North Carolina Tech Prep)
*Robert Thomas, So., DT, 6-1, 340, Muskogee, Okla. (Muskogee HS/Coffeyville [Kan.] CC)
*Marquel Wade, Fr., WR, 5-11, 185, Jacksonville, Fla. (Andrew Jackson HS/Milford [N.J.] Academy)
The following student-athletes signed letters of intent with Arkansas on Feb. 2, 2011:
Marcus Danenhauer, Fr., OL, 6-5, 315, Bentonville, Ark. (Bentonville HS)
Jason Peacock, Jr., OL, 6-4, 334, Milledgeville, Ga. (Baldwin HS/Citrus College)
Mitch Smothers, Fr., OL, 6-4, 296, Springdale, Ark. (Springdale HS)
Austin Beck, Fr., OL/DL, 6-7, 307, Nowata, Okla. (Nowata HS)
Horace Arkadie, Fr., DE, 6-4, 235, Irving, Texas (Irving HS)
Trey Flowers, Fr., DE, 6-4, 243, Huntsville, Ala. (Columbia HS)
Lonnie Gosha, Fr. DE, 6-2, 270, Lake Butler, Fla, (Union County HS)
DeMarcus Hodge, Fr., DT, 6-1, 301, Monroe, La. (Neville HS)
Darrell Kelly-Thomas, Fr., DE, 6-4, 225, Lufkin, Texas (Lufkin HS)
Grady Ollison, Fr., DE, 6-5, 272, Malvern, Ark. (Malvern HS)
Kelvin Fisher, Jr., Fr., CB, 5-10, 180, Queen Creek, Ariz. (Higley HS)
Rohan Gaines, Fr., S, 5-11, 190, Bainbridge, Ga. (Bainbridge HS)
Tevin Mitchel, Fr., CB, 5-11, 179, Mansfield, Texas (Legacy HS)
Jashaud Sims, Fr., S, 6-4, 185, Dickinson, Texas (Dickinson HS)
Brett Weir, Fr., SS, 6-5, 217, London, Ontario, Canada (Saint Thomas Aquinas HS)
Davyon McKinney, Fr., WR, 6-3, 175, Forrest City, Ark. (Forrest City HS)
Keante Minor, Fr., WR, 6-0, 194, East St. Louis, Ill. (East St. Louis HS)
Demetrius Dean, Fr., WR/TE, 6-3, 245, Fayetteville, Ark. (Fayetteville HS)
Andrew Peterson, Fr., TE, 6-6, 262, Seagoville, Texas (Seagoville HS)
Kane Whitehurst, Fr., WR, 6-0, 175, Alpharetta, Ga. (Chattahoochee HS)
Brock Haman, Fr., LB, 6-3, 225, Scottsdale, Ariz. (Saguaro HS)
Alonzo Highsmith Jr., Jr., LB, 6-1, 220, Missouri City, Texas (Lawrence E. Elkins HS/Phoenix [Ariz.] College)
Kody Walker, Fr., RB, 6-2, 235, Jefferson City, Mo. (Jefferson City HS)
Kiero Small, Jr., FB, 5-10, 255, Baltimore, Md. (Cardinal Gibbons HS/Valley Forge [Pa.] Military Academy/Hartnell [Calif.] CC)
Brandon Allen, Fr., QB, 6-3, 212, Fayetteville, Ark. (Fayetteville HS)
*-Enrolled in January 2011
Classifications are as of fall of 2011
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Brey Cook | FR | OL | 6-7 | 317 | Springdale, Ark. (Har-Ber HS) |
The Springdale, Ark., native was ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the state of Arkansas, the 12th-best offensive tackle in the nation and 124th overall recruit, according to Rivals.com. He also was named the No. 6 offensive tackle in the country by Scout.com. His Har-Ber squad won the 2009 Class 7A Arkansas State Championship in his junior season. Har-Ber High School advanced to the state semifinals in 2008 and 2010. Cook was honored as an Under Armour All-American, playing in the Under Armour All-American Game in Tampa, Fla., in January, and was named to MaxPreps.com's 2010 U.S. Air Force All-America team. Cook was also named to the ESPNU Top 150 class of 2011 list. He was recognized on the AHSAA's Class 7A West All-State team as a senior. Cook was selected to ArkansasVarsity.com's All-State team, receiving first-team accolades. He was honored to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s All-Arkansas team. He was coached by Chris Wood. Cook had numerous offers from around the nation and selected the Razorbacks over Oklahoma, Auburn, Alabama and USC. Cook enrolled at Arkansas in the spring of 2011.
Quinta Funderburk | FR | WR | 6-4 | 191 | Chesapeake, Va. (Oscar Frommel Smith HS) |
Coming off of two straight 60-catch, 1,000-yard receiving seasons, Funderburk joins the highly touted Arkansas wide receiver corps. Rated as the No. 35 wide receiver prospect in the nation by Scout.com and 48th by Rivals.com, Funderburk played for head coach Richard Morgan's successful program where he made 65 catches for 1,464 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2010. He finished his final prep season with a 12-2 record and made an appearance in the Division 6 regional final. Oscar Smith High School won the 2008 Virginia Class Six state championship and made a state semifinal appearance in 2009. Funderburk made 62 catches for 1,150 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2009. At the conclusion of his high school career, he was picked to the VirginiaPreps.com's All-State first team. He was ranked as the sixth-best prospect in Virginia by VirginiaPreps.com and the No. 9 recruit in the state by Rivals.com. Funderburk chose Arkansas over Michigan, Florida and West Virginia. He enrolled at the University of Arkansas in the spring of 2011.
Tyler Gilbert | FR | LB | 6-3 | 241 | Sorrento, La. (John Curtis Christian HS/North Carolina Tech Prep) |
In 2010 at North Carolina Tech Prep, Gilbert notched 62 tackles and five sacks, helping Tim Newman’s squad to a 9-1 record. In 2009 at John Curtis Christian, Gilbert made 36 tackles and was a force in the backfield, notching seven tackles for loss. He helped the team to a 13-1 record and a state championship game appearance. Gilbert decided on the Razorbacks while also receiving interest from Auburn, Memphis and Louisiana-Lafayette. He was a high school teammate of current Razorback offensive lineman Luke Charpentier under head coach J.T. Curtis. He enrolled at the University of Arkansas in the spring of 2011.
Robert Thomas| SO | DT | 6-1 | 340 | Muskogee, Okla. (Muskogee HS/Coffeyville [Kan.] CC)
Thomas joins the Razorbacks after a successful season at Coffeyville Community College in 2010. Thomas made 48 tackles, including 15 for loss, 4.5 sacks and two pass deflections for junior college coach Darian Dulin. During his senior year at Muskogee High School, Thomas had 89 tackles, 68 solo, 15 tackles for loss, five sacks, four quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, two recovered fumbles and two blocked field goals. On offense, he carried the ball six times for 16 yards and one touchdown. He was listed as the No. 71 defensive tackle in the nation and the No. 19 prospect in Oklahoma by Rivals.com. Thomas was ranked as the No. 101 defensive tackle in the country by Scout.com. He was named the Muskogee Phoenix District (6A-3) Defensive Player of the Year and he was also selected by the 6A-3 coaches as the lineman of the year. His high school coach was Matt Hennesy. He was also recruited by Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas and Kansas State. He enrolled at the University of Arkansas in the spring of 2011.
Marquel Wade | FR | WR | 5-11 | 185 | Jacksonville, Fla. (Andrew Jackson HS/Milford [N.J.] Academy) |
Wade joins the Razorbacks ranked as the No. 4 prep school prospect in the nation by Rivals.com after a successful stint at Milford Academy in New Berlin, N.J. The wide receiver known for his speed was a big-play threat for Milford in 2010, catching 26 passes for 565 yards and six touchdowns. Wade also took an 85-yard kickoff back for a touchdown. As a senior at Andrew Jackson High School, Wade recorded 53 receptions for 769 yards and nine touchdowns and returned five punts for scores. In 2008, Wade caught 58 passes for 738 yards and 14 touchdowns and returned 10 punts for nearly 500 yards and three touchdowns. Coming out of high school, he was rated the No. 48 athlete in the nation and the No. 73 recruit in the state of Florida by Rivals.com. He was listed by Scout.com as the No. 91 wide receiver nationally. He also excelled on the basketball court, averaging 15.6 points a game as a junior while playing shooting guard. He was coached at Andrew Jackson by Kevin Sullivan and at Milford by Bill Chaplick. He was recruited out of high school by South Carolina, Purdue, Ole Miss, Illinois, Miami, South Florida and about 15 other schools. He enrolled at the University of Arkansas in the spring of 2011.
Marcus Danenhauer | FR | OL | 6-5 | 315 | Bentonville, Ark. (Bentonville HS) |
Part of a state championship team in 2010, Danenhauer played for Barry Lunney, Sr. at Bentonville High School. Danenhauer was ranked as the eighth-best recruit in the state by HawgSports.com, while Rivals.com ranked him as the No. 45 offensive guard prospect in the nation. He was ranked No. 86 at his position by Scout.com. He concluded his career having been a part of two Class 7A state championship squads, with Bentonville High School also securing the 2008 title. In his senior season, he was part of a Bentonville offensive line that blocked for a 1,500-yard rusher. A first-team Class 7A West All-State selection by the AHSAA, Danenhauer was honored as a first-team member of ArkansasVarsity.com’s All-State team. His brother (Aaron) played collegiately at Tulsa and his grandfather (Bill) played for the Denver Broncos.
Jason Peacock | JR | OL | 6-4 | 334 | Milledgeville, Ga. (Baldwin HS/Citrus College [Azuza, Calif.]) |
After playing two seasons in the junior college ranks, Peacock is set to make his move to Arkansas. The physical lineman earned second-team All-Central Conference honors while playing for junior college head coach Ron Ponciano. Peacock earned All-State honors from the Georgia Sportswriters Association for his performance at Baldwin High School under head coach Jesse Hicks. In 2008, Baldwin advanced to the state quarterfinals of the Class AAA playoffs. Peacock sided with the Razorbacks after also considering Arizona, Houston, Mississippi State, New Mexico and Utah.
Mitch Smothers | FR | OL | 6-4 | 296 | Springdale, Ark. (Springdale HS) |
Smothers, recognized on ESPNU’s Top 150 class of 2011 list, was a part of three Arkansas Class 7A playoff teams at Springdale High School. He was rated as the fourth-best prospect in the state of Arkansas and as the No. 17 offensive guard in the country by Rivals.com. He was ranked No. 29 in the 2011 class of offensive tackles by Scout.com. After his senior season under head coach Shane Patrick, Smothers was selected to Under Armour’s All-America team and appeared in the Under Armour All-American Game held in Tampa, Fla. Smothers was a first-team Class 7A West All-State pick by the AHSAA and a first-team All-State selection by ArkansasVarsity.com. He was also recruited by Auburn, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Missouri, Oklahoma State, South Carolina and UCLA.
Austin Beck | FR | OL/DL | 6-7 | 307 | Nowata, Okla. (Nowata HS) |
Beck played both ways in the trenches for Nowata High School under head coach Eric Walkingstick. A towering offensive and defensive lineman, Beck was ranked as the 10th-best prospect in the state of Oklahoma and the No. 71 offensive tackle in the nation by Rivals.com. He was considered the No. 37 offensive tackle recruit in the nation by Scout.com. Beck helped anchor his Nowata squad to a berth in the second round of the Oklahoma Class 3A state playoffs. He made 51 tackles as a senior, including 35 solo stops. Beck made at least three tackles per game in his final high school season, with back-to-back seven-tackle outings against Sperry and Dewey. The Tulsa World recognized Beck on its 2010 All-State team. Beck picked the Razorbacks after also receiving offers from Baylor, Illinois and Missouri.
Horace Arkadie | FR | DE | 6-4 | 235 | Irving, Texas (Irving HS) |
Considered a top 100 recruit in the state of Texas by The Dallas Morning News, Arkadie looks to bring his talents to Arkansas’ defensive line. Arkadie is ranked as the No. 129 defensive end recruit in the country by Scout.com. He made 77 tackles, including four sacks, with three blocked field goals and two blocked punts as a senior to follow a 67-tackle performance as a junior. He was coached at Irving High School by Jim Bennett. Arkadie also played center for the Irving High School basketball team. He selected the Razorbacks after also considering Purdue and Virginia.
Trey Flowers | FR | DE | 6-4 | 243 | Huntsville, Ala. (Columbia HS) |
A two-time Alabama All-State honoree in 2009 and 2010, Flowers looks to bring size and strength to Arkansas. Flowers earned his All-State recognition from the Alabama Sports Writers Association in two different classes, first in Class 4A as a junior and again in Class 5A as a senior. He was a defensive standout for head coach Corey Collier’s program, which has only been in existence for five seasons. He also was a steady contributor on the Columbia High School basketball squad. Flowers chose the Razorbacks after also drawing interest from UAB, Georgia Tech and South Alabama.
Lonnie Gosha | FR | DE | 6-2 | 270 | Lake Butler, Fla., (Union County HS) |
Gosha recorded 140 tackles as a senior for Union County High School, including 15 sacks and two interceptions. The Mobile Press-Register ranked Gosha as the No. 100 prospect in its “Super Southeast 120”, and Rivals.com pegged him as the No. 31 overall recruit in the state of Florida. After his senior campaign he participated in the Offense-Defense Bowl in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The Gainesville Sun ranked Gosha in its “Top 50 Seniors” listing and was named the 1B-1A Defensive Player of the Year. He was also ranked in the Orlando Sentinel’s “2011 Florida Top 100”. As a junior, he notched 65 tackles and 13 sacks. Prior to his final high school season, Gosha was selected to the Sun’s “Super 11”. Gosha was coached by Andrew Zow and Ronny Pruitt. He sided with Arkansas over offers from Alabama, Florida, LSU, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida State, Miami and Clemson.
DeMarcus Hodge | FR | DT | 6-1 | 301 | Monroe, La. (Neville HS) |
Hodge, ranked as the No. 32 defensive tackle in the nation and the 20th overall recruit in Louisiana by Rivals.com and No. 53 in the nation by Scout.com, anchored his Neville High School squad to the Louisiana Class 4A state quarterfinals in 2010 to follow a state title performance in 2009. Playing for head coach Mikey McCarty, Hodge made 61 tackles, 50 solo, in 2010, including six tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He showed a nose for the ball in his senior season, recording three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and five quarterback hurries while being named first-team All-State by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. In 2009, Hodge notched 31 tackles and deflected four passes as Neville took top honors in Class 4A. Hodge chose Arkansas over interest from Mississippi State, TCU, Tennessee and Texas A&M.
Darrell Kelly-Thomas | FR | DE | 6-4 | 225 | Lufkin, Texas (Lufkin HS) |
An athletic defender, Kelly-Thomas was ranked as the No. 61 overall prospect in Texas by Rivals.com and as the No. 73 defensive end nationally in the class of 2011 by Scout.com. In 2010, Kelly-Thomas made 40 tackles, including four sacks, while helping head coach John Outlaw’s Lufkin High School team advance to the Class 5A Division II state playoffs. The Houston Chronicle rated Kelly-Thomas in its “Texas 100” listing, and he also was selected to The Statesmen’s “Fabulous 55” prior to his senior season. Kelly-Thomas was also recruited by Baylor, Kansas State, Houston and TCU.
Grady Ollison| FR | DE | 6-5 | 272 | Malvern, Ark. (Malvern HS) |
Ollison, ranked as the No. 25 defensive tackle in the nation by Scout.com, holds the reputation of being a standout defender in the state of Arkansas. Recognized as the fifth-best prospect in the state and the No. 30 defensive end in the country per Rivals.com, he starred in the trenches for Malvern High School and head coach John Fogleman. In 2010, he made 66 tackles, 31 solo, three sacks and seven quarterback hurries. He was named to ArkansasVarsity.com’s All-State first team, earning a spot on the defensive line. He was ranked fifth in HawgSports.com’s 2011 “Natural 21”. Ollison also had interest from Kansas State, Ole Miss and Tulsa.
Kelvin Fisher Jr. | FR | CB | 5-10 | 180 | Queen Creek, Ariz. (Higley HS)
Fisher Jr. was rated as the No. 15 safety recruit in the nation by Scout.com and 26th overall athlete in the nation by Rivals.com. Fisher, a product of head coach Jim Beall’s system at Higley, saw action at running back and defensive back throughout his prep career. In 2010, he totaled more than 2,000 rushing yards in 2010, scoring 29 touchdowns on the ground. Fisher rushed for more than 200 yards four times as a senior. On the defensive side, Fisher made 71 tackles, snatched five interceptions and made eight pass deflections. He notched two 10-tackle performances. He was named to The Arizona Republic’s All-Arizona team, taking a cornerback slot on the first-team defense. Fisher sided with the Razorbacks after also considering Oregon, Washington, Arizona State and Pittsburgh. His father (Kelvin Fisher, Sr.) played collegiately for Arizona State and is a scout for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Rohan Gaines | FR | S | 5-11 | 190 | Bainbridge, Ga. (Bainbridge HS) |
A versatile athlete Gaines made 60 tackles in 2010, including four tackles for loss, and recorded one interception while playing for head coach Ed Pilcher. He was named to The Albany Herald’s All-Area defensive team at the conclusion of his final prep campaign. Noted for his hard-hitting play, he also earned All-Region 1AAAA second-team honors, selected by regional coaches. On the offensive side of the ball, Gaines saw time at quarterback and wide receiver. He also played point guard for the Bainbridge basketball team. Gaines picked the Razorbacks after also receiving interest from Georgia and Georgia Tech.
Tevin Mitchel | FR | CB | 5-11 | 179 | Mansfield, Texas (Legacy HS) |
A U.S. Army All-American and Rivals250 selection, Mitchel was coached by Chris Melson at Legacy High School where he made 75 tackles in 2010. Considered the No. 24 overall recruit in the state of Texas, the 160th overall recruit in the country and 13th-best cornerback prospect in the nation by Rivals.com, Mitchel snagged a 60-yard touchdown pass on the offensive side of the ball. He was ranked as the 26th-best cornerback prospect in the nation by Scout.com. The Dallas Morning News and Houston Chronicle each ranked Mitchel in its top 100 listing of prospects from the state of Texas. He was voted second-team All-State and was an all-district second-team selection at free safety in Class 5A District Five. Mitchel chose the Razorbacks after also considering Nebraska, among other offers. His father (Eric) played football collegiately for Oklahoma.
Jashaud Sims | FR | S | 6-4 | 185 | Dickinson, Texas (Dickinson HS) |
Sims was a defensive force in 2009 during his junior season at Dickinson High School, totaling 110 tackles, 18 pass break ups and three interceptions. Sims followed that performance with 49 tackles, eight pass break ups, five sacks and four interceptions in a shortened 2010 campaign due to injury. He was ranked as the No. 100 safety prospect in the country by Scouts.com and was coached by Warren Trahan. He also garnered interest from Florida, LSU and Texas.
Brett Weir | FR | SS| 6-5 | 217 | London, Ontario, Canada (Saint Thomas Aquinas HS) |
With a versatile gridiron presence, Weir joins the Razorbacks from Ontario, Canada. He starred for Saint Thomas Aquinas High School and head coach Joe Murray, seeing time at quarterback, wide receiver and running back on offense. He totaled more than 2,000 yards passing and more than 1,000 yards rushing in 2010. Weir also played safety for his high school squad and was named the team’s MVP en route to a TVRAA Central championship game appearance in 2010. For his efforts he was named the Bob Gooder Award winner, given to the best football player in the TVRAA Central. To conclude his final high school season, he played in the National Underclassmen All World Gridiron Classic in Charleston, S.C. Weir also played forward for the Saint Thomas Aquinas basketball team and participated in track and field.
Davyon McKinney | FR | WR | 6-3 | 175 | Forrest City, Ark. (Forest City HS) |
Considered one of the top 10 prospects in the state of Arkansas by Rivals.com, McKinney enters the Razorback fold at wide receiver touting size and speed. He was ranked as the No. 107 wide receiver recruit in the country by Scout.com. Coached by Rich Trail at Forrest City High School, McKinney compiled 21 catches for 453 yards and three touchdowns in 2010. He showed his versatility by adding two rushing scores along with a 65-yard interception return and forced fumble on the defensive side of the ball. He was ranked fourth in HawgSports.com’s “Natural 21” to conclude his senior campaign. He sided with the Razorbacks after also receiving interest from Ole Miss and Tulsa.
Keante Minor | FR | WR | 6-0 | 194 | East St. Louis, Ill. (East St. Louis HS) |
Arkansas adds a prep 1,000-yard receiver in Minor, who snagged 55 passes for 1,022 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2010 for head coach Darren Sunnett. Considered the No. 14 recruit in the state of Illinois by Rivals.com, Minor showed his explosiveness with two punt returns taken back for touchdowns as a senior. He is ranked as the No. 41 wide receiver recruit in the country by Scout.com, while Rivals.com pegged him 64th at the position. In 2009, Minor made 42 catches for 812 yards and eight touchdowns. He also played a key role for East St. Louis’ basketball team, averaging 19.3 points per game as a junior, 14.3 as a sophomore and 8.7 as a freshman. Minor picked Arkansas after also drawing interest from Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin.
Demetrius Dean | FR | WR/TE | 6-3 | 245 | Fayetteville, Ark. (Fayetteville HS) |
Dean comes to the Razorbacks after a Class 7A state championship appearance with Fayetteville High School in 2010. Dean is the sixth-best recruit in the state per Rivals.com and the No. 7 prospect in Arkansas according to HawgSports.com. He was a primary target of fellow UA recruit Brandon Allen, catching 29 passes for 444 yards and 11 touchdowns in his senior season playing for head coach Daryl Patton. Dean caught four touchdowns in a stellar performance against Fort Smith Southside in 2010. He earned first-team All-State accolades from ArkansasVarsity.Com. Dean chose Arkansas after also being recruited by Tennessee.
Andrew Peterson | FR | TE | 6-6 | 262 | Seagoville, Texas (Seagoville HS) |
Packing size and athleticism, Peterson looks to join the Razorbacks’ tight end unit. Peterson totaled 220 receiving yards and snagged three touchdowns on eight receptions as a senior for Seagoville head coach Norman Thompson while the team completed just 31 passes. As a junior, Peterson made two receptions for nine yards in the run-oriented offense. He picked Arkansas over Nebraska and Texas A&M.
Kane Whitehurst | FR | WR | 6-0 | 175 | Alpharetta, Ga. (Chattahoochee HS) |
Fresh off of Chattahoochee High School’s 2010 Georgia AAAA state championship, Whitehurst will look to add his versatility to the Razorbacks. Whitehurst was a big-play threat in his senior season, totaling 84 catches for 1,378 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns, including a score in Chattahoochee’s 24-0 victory against Starr’s Mill High School for the state title. He was an All-State first-team pick and North Fulton Region Offensive Player of the Year honoree by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Whitehurst also claimed All-Beacon First-Team honors from The Beacon. Prior to his standout senior season, Whitehurst played quarterback and defensive back at Northview High School. He earned North Fulton All-Neighbor second-team accolades at defensive back from the North Fulton Neighbor. Whitehurst was coached by UA alum Terry Crowder. He is the cousin of current NFL quarterback Charlie Whitehurst of the Seattle Seahawks. He picked the Razorbacks over interest from Eastern Michigan, Troy, Tulane and Vanderbilt.
Brock Haman | FR | LB | 6-3 | 225 | Scottsdale, Ariz. (Saguaro HS) |
Ranked as the No. 13 overall recruit in the state of Arizona by Rivals.com, Haman joins the Razorbacks looking to make an impact in the team’s linebacker unit. He was ranked by AzProspects.com as the No. 2 linebacker recruit in the state. In a senior season cut short by injury, Haman made 19 tackles, including three sacks, for head coach John Sanders’ Saguaro High School team that brought home the 2010 4A Division I state title. He also saw action on the offensive side of the ball at tight end. Haman showed his athleticism by making 26 catches for more than 500 yards as a junior in 2009 while the team made it to the semifinal round of the state playoffs. Scout.com ranked Haman as the No. 61 tight end in the country at the conclusion of his high school career. He picked Arkansas after also considering Arizona, Arizona State and Oregon State.
Alonzo Highsmith, Jr. | JR | LB | 6-1 | 220 | Missouri City, Texas (Lawrence E. Elkins HS/Phoenix (Ariz.) College)
A junior college All-American linebacker, Highsmith is an experienced defensive contributor. In 2010, Highsmith recorded 94 tackles, 79 solo, including 12 tackles for loss and four sacks. He notched two forced fumbles and recovered two fumbles. He received recognition as NJCAA Region One co-Defensive Player of the Year and was named the WSFL Defensive Player of the Year. He was coached in junior college by Land Jacobsen and at Elkins High School by Aaron Clark. Highsmith signed with the Razorbacks over offers from Washington, SMU and Cincinnati. His father, Alonzo Highsmith, Sr., played running back collegiately for the University of Miami and had a seven-year NFL career.
Kody Walker | FR | RB | 6-2 | 235 | Jefferson City, Mo. (Jefferson City HS) |
Walker is set to join Arkansas rated as the No. 4 overall recruit in the state of Missouri and the 32nd-best running back prospect in the country, according to Rivals.com. The Jefferson City High School running back put together two straight 1,000-yard seasons, totaling 1,554 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2009 and 1,004 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior in 2010. The Jefferson City team, coached by Ted Lepage, earned a berth in the Class Six State Tournament. Scout.com recognized Walker as the No. 51 running back in the country. Walker was named second-team All-State by the Associated Press and Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association following his senior campaign. He selected the Razorbacks after also considering Missouri.
Kiero Small | JR | FB | 5-10 | 255 | Baltimore, Md. (Cardinal Gibbons HS/ Valley Forge [Pa.] Military Academy/Hartnell [Calif.] CC)
A junior college All-American in 2010, Small played both fullback and linebacker for his Hartnell Community College football team. As a freshman in 2009, Small scored five rushing touchdowns and led the team in tackles with 109 stops en route to Hartnell claiming Coast Conference co-championship honors. In 2010, Small scored one rushing and one receiving touchdown and led the squad in tackles for the second straight season with 120 tackles, including 21 for loss. Small received All-America accolades from the California Community College Football Coaches Association in 2010 and All-California honors in 2009. He was named an All-Coast Conference performer at linebacker in both his seasons at Hartnell. Small’s junior college head coach was Matt Collins, and his high school head coach was Donald Davis. As a high school senior at Cardinal Gibbons in 2006, Small earned second-team All-State accolades from the Maryland Football Coaches Association. Small was also recruited by Cal and Oregon State.
Brandon Allen | FR | QB | 6-3 | 212| Fayetteville, Ark. (Fayetteville HS) |
One of the top quarterbacks in the country, Allen joins the Razorback football program rated as the fifth-best pro-style quarterback in the nation, according to Rivals.com and the No. 3 prospect in the state by HawgSports.com. He was honored with the Landers Award, given annually to the top prep football player in the state of Arkansas. The hometown product led Fayetteville High School to the Arkansas Class 7A state title game in 2010, finishing the season with a 10-4 record. Known for his accuracy, Allen threw for 3,408 yards and 38 touchdowns as a senior, going the entire regular season without throwing an interception. He totaled more than 10,000 passing yards in three seasons under head coach Daryl Patton as Fayetteville’s starting signal caller. He showed his athleticism in his final prep season by also rushing for more than 500 yards. Allen was ranked as a top 200 prospect nationally by Rivals.com. He was ranked as the No. 31 quarterback prospect in the nation by Scout.com. As a senior, he was named NWA Media’s Big Six Football Player of the Year and was honored to the AP’s Arkansas Super Team. He was an AHSAA All-State honoree in 2010, representing the Class 7A West Division. Allen received second-team All-State honors from ArkansasVarsity.com. He is the son of Bobby and Marcela Allen. His father is the defensive tackles coach for the Razorbacks and he has been a part of the Arkansas staff for 13 seasons.
The following student-athletes enrolled at the University of Arkansas in January of 2011:
*Brey Cook, Fr., OL, 6-7, 317, Springdale, Ark. (Har-Ber HS)
*Quinta Funderburk, Fr., WR, 6-4, 191, Chesapeake, Va. (Oscar Frommel Smith HS)
*Tyler Gilbert, Fr., LB, 6-3, 241, Sorrento, La. (John Curtis Christian HS/North Carolina Tech Prep)
*Robert Thomas, So., DT, 6-1, 340, Muskogee, Okla. (Muskogee HS/Coffeyville [Kan.] CC)
*Marquel Wade, Fr., WR, 5-11, 185, Jacksonville, Fla. (Andrew Jackson HS/Milford [N.J.] Academy)
The following student-athletes signed letters of intent with Arkansas on Feb. 2, 2011:
Marcus Danenhauer, Fr., OL, 6-5, 315, Bentonville, Ark. (Bentonville HS)
Jason Peacock, Jr., OL, 6-4, 334, Milledgeville, Ga. (Baldwin HS/Citrus College)
Mitch Smothers, Fr., OL, 6-4, 296, Springdale, Ark. (Springdale HS)
Austin Beck, Fr., OL/DL, 6-7, 307, Nowata, Okla. (Nowata HS)
Horace Arkadie, Fr., DE, 6-4, 235, Irving, Texas (Irving HS)
Trey Flowers, Fr., DE, 6-4, 243, Huntsville, Ala. (Columbia HS)
Lonnie Gosha, Fr. DE, 6-2, 270, Lake Butler, Fla, (Union County HS)
DeMarcus Hodge, Fr., DT, 6-1, 301, Monroe, La. (Neville HS)
Darrell Kelly-Thomas, Fr., DE, 6-4, 225, Lufkin, Texas (Lufkin HS)
Grady Ollison, Fr., DE, 6-5, 272, Malvern, Ark. (Malvern HS)
Kelvin Fisher, Jr., Fr., CB, 5-10, 180, Queen Creek, Ariz. (Higley HS)
Rohan Gaines, Fr., S, 5-11, 190, Bainbridge, Ga. (Bainbridge HS)
Tevin Mitchel, Fr., CB, 5-11, 179, Mansfield, Texas (Legacy HS)
Jashaud Sims, Fr., S, 6-4, 185, Dickinson, Texas (Dickinson HS)
Brett Weir, Fr., SS, 6-5, 217, London, Ontario, Canada (Saint Thomas Aquinas HS)
Davyon McKinney, Fr., WR, 6-3, 175, Forrest City, Ark. (Forrest City HS)
Keante Minor, Fr., WR, 6-0, 194, East St. Louis, Ill. (East St. Louis HS)
Demetrius Dean, Fr., WR/TE, 6-3, 245, Fayetteville, Ark. (Fayetteville HS)
Andrew Peterson, Fr., TE, 6-6, 262, Seagoville, Texas (Seagoville HS)
Kane Whitehurst, Fr., WR, 6-0, 175, Alpharetta, Ga. (Chattahoochee HS)
Brock Haman, Fr., LB, 6-3, 225, Scottsdale, Ariz. (Saguaro HS)
Alonzo Highsmith Jr., Jr., LB, 6-1, 220, Missouri City, Texas (Lawrence E. Elkins HS/Phoenix [Ariz.] College)
Kody Walker, Fr., RB, 6-2, 235, Jefferson City, Mo. (Jefferson City HS)
Kiero Small, Jr., FB, 5-10, 255, Baltimore, Md. (Cardinal Gibbons HS/Valley Forge [Pa.] Military Academy/Hartnell [Calif.] CC)
Brandon Allen, Fr., QB, 6-3, 212, Fayetteville, Ark. (Fayetteville HS)
*-Enrolled in January 2011
Classifications are as of fall of 2011
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.COM || On Twitter @ARK ?Brey Cook | FR | OL | 6-7 | 317 | Springdale, Ark. (Har-Ber HS) |
The Springdale, Ark., native was ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the state of Arkansas, the 12th-best offensive tackle in the nation and 124th overall recruit, according to Rivals.com. He also was named the No. 6 offensive tackle in the country by Scout.com. His Har-Ber squad won the 2009 Class 7A Arkansas State Championship in his junior season. Har-Ber High School advanced to the state semifinals in 2008 and 2010. Cook was honored as an Under Armour All-American, playing in the Under Armour All-American Game in Tampa, Fla., in January, and was named to MaxPreps.com's 2010 U.S. Air Force All-America team. Cook was also named to the ESPNU Top 150 class of 2011 list. He was recognized on the AHSAA's Class 7A West All-State team as a senior. Cook was selected to ArkansasVarsity.com's All-State team, receiving first-team accolades. He was honored to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s All-Arkansas team. He was coached by Chris Wood. Cook had numerous offers from around the nation and selected the Razorbacks over Oklahoma, Auburn, Alabama and USC. Cook enrolled at Arkansas in the spring of 2011.
Quinta Funderburk | FR | WR | 6-4 | 191 | Chesapeake, Va. (Oscar Frommel Smith HS) |
Coming off of two straight 60-catch, 1,000-yard receiving seasons, Funderburk joins the highly touted Arkansas wide receiver corps. Rated as the No. 35 wide receiver prospect in the nation by Scout.com and 48th by Rivals.com, Funderburk played for head coach Richard Morgan's successful program where he made 65 catches for 1,464 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2010. He finished his final prep season with a 12-2 record and made an appearance in the Division 6 regional final. Oscar Smith High School won the 2008 Virginia Class Six state championship and made a state semifinal appearance in 2009. Funderburk made 62 catches for 1,150 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2009. At the conclusion of his high school career, he was picked to the VirginiaPreps.com's All-State first team. He was ranked as the sixth-best prospect in Virginia by VirginiaPreps.com and the No. 9 recruit in the state by Rivals.com. Funderburk chose Arkansas over Michigan, Florida and West Virginia. He enrolled at the University of Arkansas in the spring of 2011.
Tyler Gilbert | FR | LB | 6-3 | 241 | Sorrento, La. (John Curtis Christian HS/North Carolina Tech Prep) |
In 2010 at North Carolina Tech Prep, Gilbert notched 62 tackles and five sacks, helping Tim Newman’s squad to a 9-1 record. In 2009 at John Curtis Christian, Gilbert made 36 tackles and was a force in the backfield, notching seven tackles for loss. He helped the team to a 13-1 record and a state championship game appearance. Gilbert decided on the Razorbacks while also receiving interest from Auburn, Memphis and Louisiana-Lafayette. He was a high school teammate of current Razorback offensive lineman Luke Charpentier under head coach J.T. Curtis. He enrolled at the University of Arkansas in the spring of 2011.
Robert Thomas| SO | DT | 6-1 | 340 | Muskogee, Okla. (Muskogee HS/Coffeyville [Kan.] CC)
Thomas joins the Razorbacks after a successful season at Coffeyville Community College in 2010. Thomas made 48 tackles, including 15 for loss, 4.5 sacks and two pass deflections for junior college coach Darian Dulin. During his senior year at Muskogee High School, Thomas had 89 tackles, 68 solo, 15 tackles for loss, five sacks, four quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, two recovered fumbles and two blocked field goals. On offense, he carried the ball six times for 16 yards and one touchdown. He was listed as the No. 71 defensive tackle in the nation and the No. 19 prospect in Oklahoma by Rivals.com. Thomas was ranked as the No. 101 defensive tackle in the country by Scout.com. He was named the Muskogee Phoenix District (6A-3) Defensive Player of the Year and he was also selected by the 6A-3 coaches as the lineman of the year. His high school coach was Matt Hennesy. He was also recruited by Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas and Kansas State. He enrolled at the University of Arkansas in the spring of 2011.
Marquel Wade | FR | WR | 5-11 | 185 | Jacksonville, Fla. (Andrew Jackson HS/Milford [N.J.] Academy) |
Wade joins the Razorbacks ranked as the No. 4 prep school prospect in the nation by Rivals.com after a successful stint at Milford Academy in New Berlin, N.J. The wide receiver known for his speed was a big-play threat for Milford in 2010, catching 26 passes for 565 yards and six touchdowns. Wade also took an 85-yard kickoff back for a touchdown. As a senior at Andrew Jackson High School, Wade recorded 53 receptions for 769 yards and nine touchdowns and returned five punts for scores. In 2008, Wade caught 58 passes for 738 yards and 14 touchdowns and returned 10 punts for nearly 500 yards and three touchdowns. Coming out of high school, he was rated the No. 48 athlete in the nation and the No. 73 recruit in the state of Florida by Rivals.com. He was listed by Scout.com as the No. 91 wide receiver nationally. He also excelled on the basketball court, averaging 15.6 points a game as a junior while playing shooting guard. He was coached at Andrew Jackson by Kevin Sullivan and at Milford by Bill Chaplick. He was recruited out of high school by South Carolina, Purdue, Ole Miss, Illinois, Miami, South Florida and about 15 other schools. He enrolled at the University of Arkansas in the spring of 2011.
Marcus Danenhauer | FR | OL | 6-5 | 315 | Bentonville, Ark. (Bentonville HS) |
Part of a state championship team in 2010, Danenhauer played for Barry Lunney, Sr. at Bentonville High School. Danenhauer was ranked as the eighth-best recruit in the state by HawgSports.com, while Rivals.com ranked him as the No. 45 offensive guard prospect in the nation. He was ranked No. 86 at his position by Scout.com. He concluded his career having been a part of two Class 7A state championship squads, with Bentonville High School also securing the 2008 title. In his senior season, he was part of a Bentonville offensive line that blocked for a 1,500-yard rusher. A first-team Class 7A West All-State selection by the AHSAA, Danenhauer was honored as a first-team member of ArkansasVarsity.com’s All-State team. His brother (Aaron) played collegiately at Tulsa and his grandfather (Bill) played for the Denver Broncos.
Jason Peacock | JR | OL | 6-4 | 334 | Milledgeville, Ga. (Baldwin HS/Citrus College [Azuza, Calif.]) |
After playing two seasons in the junior college ranks, Peacock is set to make his move to Arkansas. The physical lineman earned second-team All-Central Conference honors while playing for junior college head coach Ron Ponciano. Peacock earned All-State honors from the Georgia Sportswriters Association for his performance at Baldwin High School under head coach Jesse Hicks. In 2008, Baldwin advanced to the state quarterfinals of the Class AAA playoffs. Peacock sided with the Razorbacks after also considering Arizona, Houston, Mississippi State, New Mexico and Utah.
Mitch Smothers | FR | OL | 6-4 | 296 | Springdale, Ark. (Springdale HS) |
Smothers, recognized on ESPNU’s Top 150 class of 2011 list, was a part of three Arkansas Class 7A playoff teams at Springdale High School. He was rated as the fourth-best prospect in the state of Arkansas and as the No. 17 offensive guard in the country by Rivals.com. He was ranked No. 29 in the 2011 class of offensive tackles by Scout.com. After his senior season under head coach Shane Patrick, Smothers was selected to Under Armour’s All-America team and appeared in the Under Armour All-American Game held in Tampa, Fla. Smothers was a first-team Class 7A West All-State pick by the AHSAA and a first-team All-State selection by ArkansasVarsity.com. He was also recruited by Auburn, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Missouri, Oklahoma State, South Carolina and UCLA.
Austin Beck | FR | OL/DL | 6-7 | 307 | Nowata, Okla. (Nowata HS) |
Beck played both ways in the trenches for Nowata High School under head coach Eric Walkingstick. A towering offensive and defensive lineman, Beck was ranked as the 10th-best prospect in the state of Oklahoma and the No. 71 offensive tackle in the nation by Rivals.com. He was considered the No. 37 offensive tackle recruit in the nation by Scout.com. Beck helped anchor his Nowata squad to a berth in the second round of the Oklahoma Class 3A state playoffs. He made 51 tackles as a senior, including 35 solo stops. Beck made at least three tackles per game in his final high school season, with back-to-back seven-tackle outings against Sperry and Dewey. The Tulsa World recognized Beck on its 2010 All-State team. Beck picked the Razorbacks after also receiving offers from Baylor, Illinois and Missouri.
Horace Arkadie | FR | DE | 6-4 | 235 | Irving, Texas (Irving HS) |
Considered a top 100 recruit in the state of Texas by The Dallas Morning News, Arkadie looks to bring his talents to Arkansas’ defensive line. Arkadie is ranked as the No. 129 defensive end recruit in the country by Scout.com. He made 77 tackles, including four sacks, with three blocked field goals and two blocked punts as a senior to follow a 67-tackle performance as a junior. He was coached at Irving High School by Jim Bennett. Arkadie also played center for the Irving High School basketball team. He selected the Razorbacks after also considering Purdue and Virginia.
Trey Flowers | FR | DE | 6-4 | 243 | Huntsville, Ala. (Columbia HS) |
A two-time Alabama All-State honoree in 2009 and 2010, Flowers looks to bring size and strength to Arkansas. Flowers earned his All-State recognition from the Alabama Sports Writers Association in two different classes, first in Class 4A as a junior and again in Class 5A as a senior. He was a defensive standout for head coach Corey Collier’s program, which has only been in existence for five seasons. He also was a steady contributor on the Columbia High School basketball squad. Flowers chose the Razorbacks after also drawing interest from UAB, Georgia Tech and South Alabama.
Lonnie Gosha | FR | DE | 6-2 | 270 | Lake Butler, Fla., (Union County HS) |
Gosha recorded 140 tackles as a senior for Union County High School, including 15 sacks and two interceptions. The Mobile Press-Register ranked Gosha as the No. 100 prospect in its “Super Southeast 120”, and Rivals.com pegged him as the No. 31 overall recruit in the state of Florida. After his senior campaign he participated in the Offense-Defense Bowl in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The Gainesville Sun ranked Gosha in its “Top 50 Seniors” listing and was named the 1B-1A Defensive Player of the Year. He was also ranked in the Orlando Sentinel’s “2011 Florida Top 100”. As a junior, he notched 65 tackles and 13 sacks. Prior to his final high school season, Gosha was selected to the Sun’s “Super 11”. Gosha was coached by Andrew Zow and Ronny Pruitt. He sided with Arkansas over offers from Alabama, Florida, LSU, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida State, Miami and Clemson.
DeMarcus Hodge | FR | DT | 6-1 | 301 | Monroe, La. (Neville HS) |
Hodge, ranked as the No. 32 defensive tackle in the nation and the 20th overall recruit in Louisiana by Rivals.com and No. 53 in the nation by Scout.com, anchored his Neville High School squad to the Louisiana Class 4A state quarterfinals in 2010 to follow a state title performance in 2009. Playing for head coach Mikey McCarty, Hodge made 61 tackles, 50 solo, in 2010, including six tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He showed a nose for the ball in his senior season, recording three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and five quarterback hurries while being named first-team All-State by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. In 2009, Hodge notched 31 tackles and deflected four passes as Neville took top honors in Class 4A. Hodge chose Arkansas over interest from Mississippi State, TCU, Tennessee and Texas A&M.
Darrell Kelly-Thomas | FR | DE | 6-4 | 225 | Lufkin, Texas (Lufkin HS) |
An athletic defender, Kelly-Thomas was ranked as the No. 61 overall prospect in Texas by Rivals.com and as the No. 73 defensive end nationally in the class of 2011 by Scout.com. In 2010, Kelly-Thomas made 40 tackles, including four sacks, while helping head coach John Outlaw’s Lufkin High School team advance to the Class 5A Division II state playoffs. The Houston Chronicle rated Kelly-Thomas in its “Texas 100” listing, and he also was selected to The Statesmen’s “Fabulous 55” prior to his senior season. Kelly-Thomas was also recruited by Baylor, Kansas State, Houston and TCU.
Grady Ollison| FR | DE | 6-5 | 272 | Malvern, Ark. (Malvern HS) |
Ollison, ranked as the No. 25 defensive tackle in the nation by Scout.com, holds the reputation of being a standout defender in the state of Arkansas. Recognized as the fifth-best prospect in the state and the No. 30 defensive end in the country per Rivals.com, he starred in the trenches for Malvern High School and head coach John Fogleman. In 2010, he made 66 tackles, 31 solo, three sacks and seven quarterback hurries. He was named to ArkansasVarsity.com’s All-State first team, earning a spot on the defensive line. He was ranked fifth in HawgSports.com’s 2011 “Natural 21”. Ollison also had interest from Kansas State, Ole Miss and Tulsa.
Kelvin Fisher Jr. | FR | CB | 5-10 | 180 | Queen Creek, Ariz. (Higley HS)
Fisher Jr. was rated as the No. 15 safety recruit in the nation by Scout.com and 26th overall athlete in the nation by Rivals.com. Fisher, a product of head coach Jim Beall’s system at Higley, saw action at running back and defensive back throughout his prep career. In 2010, he totaled more than 2,000 rushing yards in 2010, scoring 29 touchdowns on the ground. Fisher rushed for more than 200 yards four times as a senior. On the defensive side, Fisher made 71 tackles, snatched five interceptions and made eight pass deflections. He notched two 10-tackle performances. He was named to The Arizona Republic’s All-Arizona team, taking a cornerback slot on the first-team defense. Fisher sided with the Razorbacks after also considering Oregon, Washington, Arizona State and Pittsburgh. His father (Kelvin Fisher, Sr.) played collegiately for Arizona State and is a scout for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Rohan Gaines | FR | S | 5-11 | 190 | Bainbridge, Ga. (Bainbridge HS) |
A versatile athlete Gaines made 60 tackles in 2010, including four tackles for loss, and recorded one interception while playing for head coach Ed Pilcher. He was named to The Albany Herald’s All-Area defensive team at the conclusion of his final prep campaign. Noted for his hard-hitting play, he also earned All-Region 1AAAA second-team honors, selected by regional coaches. On the offensive side of the ball, Gaines saw time at quarterback and wide receiver. He also played point guard for the Bainbridge basketball team. Gaines picked the Razorbacks after also receiving interest from Georgia and Georgia Tech.
Tevin Mitchel | FR | CB | 5-11 | 179 | Mansfield, Texas (Legacy HS) |
A U.S. Army All-American and Rivals250 selection, Mitchel was coached by Chris Melson at Legacy High School where he made 75 tackles in 2010. Considered the No. 24 overall recruit in the state of Texas, the 160th overall recruit in the country and 13th-best cornerback prospect in the nation by Rivals.com, Mitchel snagged a 60-yard touchdown pass on the offensive side of the ball. He was ranked as the 26th-best cornerback prospect in the nation by Scout.com. The Dallas Morning News and Houston Chronicle each ranked Mitchel in its top 100 listing of prospects from the state of Texas. He was voted second-team All-State and was an all-district second-team selection at free safety in Class 5A District Five. Mitchel chose the Razorbacks after also considering Nebraska, among other offers. His father (Eric) played football collegiately for Oklahoma.
Jashaud Sims | FR | S | 6-4 | 185 | Dickinson, Texas (Dickinson HS) |
Sims was a defensive force in 2009 during his junior season at Dickinson High School, totaling 110 tackles, 18 pass break ups and three interceptions. Sims followed that performance with 49 tackles, eight pass break ups, five sacks and four interceptions in a shortened 2010 campaign due to injury. He was ranked as the No. 100 safety prospect in the country by Scouts.com and was coached by Warren Trahan. He also garnered interest from Florida, LSU and Texas.
Brett Weir | FR | SS| 6-5 | 217 | London, Ontario, Canada (Saint Thomas Aquinas HS) |
With a versatile gridiron presence, Weir joins the Razorbacks from Ontario, Canada. He starred for Saint Thomas Aquinas High School and head coach Joe Murray, seeing time at quarterback, wide receiver and running back on offense. He totaled more than 2,000 yards passing and more than 1,000 yards rushing in 2010. Weir also played safety for his high school squad and was named the team’s MVP en route to a TVRAA Central championship game appearance in 2010. For his efforts he was named the Bob Gooder Award winner, given to the best football player in the TVRAA Central. To conclude his final high school season, he played in the National Underclassmen All World Gridiron Classic in Charleston, S.C. Weir also played forward for the Saint Thomas Aquinas basketball team and participated in track and field.
Davyon McKinney | FR | WR | 6-3 | 175 | Forrest City, Ark. (Forest City HS) |
Considered one of the top 10 prospects in the state of Arkansas by Rivals.com, McKinney enters the Razorback fold at wide receiver touting size and speed. He was ranked as the No. 107 wide receiver recruit in the country by Scout.com. Coached by Rich Trail at Forrest City High School, McKinney compiled 21 catches for 453 yards and three touchdowns in 2010. He showed his versatility by adding two rushing scores along with a 65-yard interception return and forced fumble on the defensive side of the ball. He was ranked fourth in HawgSports.com’s “Natural 21” to conclude his senior campaign. He sided with the Razorbacks after also receiving interest from Ole Miss and Tulsa.
Keante Minor | FR | WR | 6-0 | 194 | East St. Louis, Ill. (East St. Louis HS) |
Arkansas adds a prep 1,000-yard receiver in Minor, who snagged 55 passes for 1,022 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2010 for head coach Darren Sunnett. Considered the No. 14 recruit in the state of Illinois by Rivals.com, Minor showed his explosiveness with two punt returns taken back for touchdowns as a senior. He is ranked as the No. 41 wide receiver recruit in the country by Scout.com, while Rivals.com pegged him 64th at the position. In 2009, Minor made 42 catches for 812 yards and eight touchdowns. He also played a key role for East St. Louis’ basketball team, averaging 19.3 points per game as a junior, 14.3 as a sophomore and 8.7 as a freshman. Minor picked Arkansas after also drawing interest from Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin.
Demetrius Dean | FR | WR/TE | 6-3 | 245 | Fayetteville, Ark. (Fayetteville HS) |
Dean comes to the Razorbacks after a Class 7A state championship appearance with Fayetteville High School in 2010. Dean is the sixth-best recruit in the state per Rivals.com and the No. 7 prospect in Arkansas according to HawgSports.com. He was a primary target of fellow UA recruit Brandon Allen, catching 29 passes for 444 yards and 11 touchdowns in his senior season playing for head coach Daryl Patton. Dean caught four touchdowns in a stellar performance against Fort Smith Southside in 2010. He earned first-team All-State accolades from ArkansasVarsity.Com. Dean chose Arkansas after also being recruited by Tennessee.
Andrew Peterson | FR | TE | 6-6 | 262 | Seagoville, Texas (Seagoville HS) |
Packing size and athleticism, Peterson looks to join the Razorbacks’ tight end unit. Peterson totaled 220 receiving yards and snagged three touchdowns on eight receptions as a senior for Seagoville head coach Norman Thompson while the team completed just 31 passes. As a junior, Peterson made two receptions for nine yards in the run-oriented offense. He picked Arkansas over Nebraska and Texas A&M.
Kane Whitehurst | FR | WR | 6-0 | 175 | Alpharetta, Ga. (Chattahoochee HS) |
Fresh off of Chattahoochee High School’s 2010 Georgia AAAA state championship, Whitehurst will look to add his versatility to the Razorbacks. Whitehurst was a big-play threat in his senior season, totaling 84 catches for 1,378 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns, including a score in Chattahoochee’s 24-0 victory against Starr’s Mill High School for the state title. He was an All-State first-team pick and North Fulton Region Offensive Player of the Year honoree by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Whitehurst also claimed All-Beacon First-Team honors from The Beacon. Prior to his standout senior season, Whitehurst played quarterback and defensive back at Northview High School. He earned North Fulton All-Neighbor second-team accolades at defensive back from the North Fulton Neighbor. Whitehurst was coached by UA alum Terry Crowder. He is the cousin of current NFL quarterback Charlie Whitehurst of the Seattle Seahawks. He picked the Razorbacks over interest from Eastern Michigan, Troy, Tulane and Vanderbilt.
Brock Haman | FR | LB | 6-3 | 225 | Scottsdale, Ariz. (Saguaro HS) |
Ranked as the No. 13 overall recruit in the state of Arizona by Rivals.com, Haman joins the Razorbacks looking to make an impact in the team’s linebacker unit. He was ranked by AzProspects.com as the No. 2 linebacker recruit in the state. In a senior season cut short by injury, Haman made 19 tackles, including three sacks, for head coach John Sanders’ Saguaro High School team that brought home the 2010 4A Division I state title. He also saw action on the offensive side of the ball at tight end. Haman showed his athleticism by making 26 catches for more than 500 yards as a junior in 2009 while the team made it to the semifinal round of the state playoffs. Scout.com ranked Haman as the No. 61 tight end in the country at the conclusion of his high school career. He picked Arkansas after also considering Arizona, Arizona State and Oregon State.
Alonzo Highsmith, Jr. | JR | LB | 6-1 | 220 | Missouri City, Texas (Lawrence E. Elkins HS/Phoenix (Ariz.) College)
A junior college All-American linebacker, Highsmith is an experienced defensive contributor. In 2010, Highsmith recorded 94 tackles, 79 solo, including 12 tackles for loss and four sacks. He notched two forced fumbles and recovered two fumbles. He received recognition as NJCAA Region One co-Defensive Player of the Year and was named the WSFL Defensive Player of the Year. He was coached in junior college by Land Jacobsen and at Elkins High School by Aaron Clark. Highsmith signed with the Razorbacks over offers from Washington, SMU and Cincinnati. His father, Alonzo Highsmith, Sr., played running back collegiately for the University of Miami and had a seven-year NFL career.
Kody Walker | FR | RB | 6-2 | 235 | Jefferson City, Mo. (Jefferson City HS) |
Walker is set to join Arkansas rated as the No. 4 overall recruit in the state of Missouri and the 32nd-best running back prospect in the country, according to Rivals.com. The Jefferson City High School running back put together two straight 1,000-yard seasons, totaling 1,554 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2009 and 1,004 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior in 2010. The Jefferson City team, coached by Ted Lepage, earned a berth in the Class Six State Tournament. Scout.com recognized Walker as the No. 51 running back in the country. Walker was named second-team All-State by the Associated Press and Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association following his senior campaign. He selected the Razorbacks after also considering Missouri.
Kiero Small | JR | FB | 5-10 | 255 | Baltimore, Md. (Cardinal Gibbons HS/ Valley Forge [Pa.] Military Academy/Hartnell [Calif.] CC)
A junior college All-American in 2010, Small played both fullback and linebacker for his Hartnell Community College football team. As a freshman in 2009, Small scored five rushing touchdowns and led the team in tackles with 109 stops en route to Hartnell claiming Coast Conference co-championship honors. In 2010, Small scored one rushing and one receiving touchdown and led the squad in tackles for the second straight season with 120 tackles, including 21 for loss. Small received All-America accolades from the California Community College Football Coaches Association in 2010 and All-California honors in 2009. He was named an All-Coast Conference performer at linebacker in both his seasons at Hartnell. Small’s junior college head coach was Matt Collins, and his high school head coach was Donald Davis. As a high school senior at Cardinal Gibbons in 2006, Small earned second-team All-State accolades from the Maryland Football Coaches Association. Small was also recruited by Cal and Oregon State.
Brandon Allen | FR | QB | 6-3 | 212| Fayetteville, Ark. (Fayetteville HS) |
One of the top quarterbacks in the country, Allen joins the Razorback football program rated as the fifth-best pro-style quarterback in the nation, according to Rivals.com and the No. 3 prospect in the state by HawgSports.com. He was honored with the Landers Award, given annually to the top prep football player in the state of Arkansas. The hometown product led Fayetteville High School to the Arkansas Class 7A state title game in 2010, finishing the season with a 10-4 record. Known for his accuracy, Allen threw for 3,408 yards and 38 touchdowns as a senior, going the entire regular season without throwing an interception. He totaled more than 10,000 passing yards in three seasons under head coach Daryl Patton as Fayetteville’s starting signal caller. He showed his athleticism in his final prep season by also rushing for more than 500 yards. Allen was ranked as a top 200 prospect nationally by Rivals.com. He was ranked as the No. 31 quarterback prospect in the nation by Scout.com. As a senior, he was named NWA Media’s Big Six Football Player of the Year and was honored to the AP’s Arkansas Super Team. He was an AHSAA All-State honoree in 2010, representing the Class 7A West Division. Allen received second-team All-State honors from ArkansasVarsity.com. He is the son of Bobby and Marcela Allen. His father is the defensive tackles coach for the Razorbacks and he has been a part of the Arkansas staff for 13 seasons.
