HawgBeat - Updated HawgBeat Recruiting Big Board: 2024 Defense
The HawgBeat Recruiting Big Board is your one-stop shop for the latest in Arkansas recruiting.
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With June official visits wrapped up and the class of 2024 starting to take shape, it's time for the latest iteration of the HawgBeat Big Board.
This board provides a one-stop shop for you to see who Arkansas currently has committed and who it's targeting, updated weekly.
This board will look at the defensive recruits Arkansas already has committed, as well as the ones they’re targeting.
The Hogs have prioritized the defense so far in the 2024 recruiting class. Of the 15 commitments in the class so far, eight are defensive commitments.
Where Arkansas is focusing the most attention is at defensive back. After posting the worst passing defense in college football a year ago, new defensive coordinator Travis Williams and co-defensive coordinator Marcus Woodson are adamant to make sure it doesn’t happen under their watch.
To see the latest update to the offensive side of the HawgBeat Big Board, click here.
For more information on a specific recruit, click their name and it will take you to their Rivals profile.
Defensive End
Defensive End
| Name | City/State | Star Ranking | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kavion Henderson | Leeds, Alabama | Committed | |
| Charleston Collins | Little Rock | Committed |
There's been no change at defensive end for both Collins and Henderson, as both are solid commits to the Hogs.
Defensive Tackle
Defensive tackle
| Name | City/State | Star Ranking | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dion Stutts | Memphis, Tennessee | Committed | |
| Kendall Jackson | Gainesville, Florida | Uncommitted |
Foster has been removed from the list after his commitment to Baylor.
I'm removing Echoles following his commitment to Ole Miss.
Things are starting to trend downward for Jackson. At this juncture I think it's going to be difficult to pull him out of Florida.
The interior defensive line is a bit of a question mark at the moment. I know they'd like to identify at least two more guys, and there's still time to do that as the Early Signing Period is still roughly five months away.
Linebacker
Linebacker
| Name | City/State | Star Ranking | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xavier Atkins | Humble, Texas | Uncommitted | |
| Wyatt Simmons | Searcy | Uncommitted | |
| Brian Huff | Jonesboro | Uncommitted |
It's still quiet on the linebacker front. I've removed Barber following his July 4 commitment to Auburn.
Things are trending Missouri's way for Brian Huff's commitment, which is slated for July 12 at 6 p.m. There's still time for Arkansas to get back into it, but it seems like the Tigers have all the momentum at the moment.
Simmons is still a wild card as he's not talked to any reporters about his recruitment.
Atkins is one I know the staff is working overtime on. He said he's got a return trip to LSU, which worries me. Still a long way from signing day, though, and he's committed and decommitted before.
Cornerback
Cornerback
| Name | City/State | Star Ranking | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tevis Metcalf | Pinson, Alabama | Committed | |
| Jaden Allen | Aledo, Texas | Committed | |
| Noreel White | Ocean Spring, Mississippi | Committed | |
| Ahkhari Johnson | Texarkana, Texas | Committed | |
| Selman Bridges | Temple, Texas | Uncommitted |
I've removed Braylon Conley following his USC commitment.
Chris Johnson has been removed from this list after his commitment to Arizona State on July 4.
At this point, it looks like Arkansas' biggest competition for Selman Bridges is Texas. He saw both on official visits. I expect that one to go down to the wire, not just for his verbal commitment but for his signature in December.
Outside of Bridges, the coaching staff might be done at cornerback. If they get Bridges it'll be the cherry on top, but the four they have already are solid pieces and I don't see them reaching to take someone just for the sake of doing it.
Safety
Safety
| Name | City/State | Star Ranking | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| JuJu Pope | Batesville, Mississippi | Committed | |
| Ashton Hampton | Tallahassee, Florida | Uncommitted | |
| Tylen Singleton | Many, Louisiana | Uncommitted | |
| Ka’Davion Dotson | Duncanville, Texas | Uncommitted |
Kenyan Kelly has been taken off the list after his commitment to Jeff Traylor and UTSA. I never saw much on Arkansas' end in working to get him in the fold.
There hasn't been any movement with Pope since his official visit. He remains committed to Arkansas in the class of 2024, but I know Mississippi State is working hard for a flip.
Hampton — whose father is the head coach at UAPB — is set to make a decision on July 14. I haven't heard one way or the other on which way he's leaning, he's kept things close to the vest in his recruitment.
Singleton is high on LSU's wish list, and there aren't many four-star Louisiana players that LSU wants that end up at Arkansas. The Hogs still have a fighting chance, though.
I am not expecting Ka'Davion Dotson to come to Arkansas, but I'm keeping him on this list for now as things could change.
