The Class of 2024 is next for the Arkansas coaching staff, and the latest edition of Rivals250 was released Tuesday morning. A number of Arkansas targets are on the list, some of which were on campus in January.
Currently, the Razorbacks have only one commitment in the class of 2024 in 5.9 four-star defensive end Kavion Henderson. While recruiting has stalled somewhat due to the NCAA recruiting dead period, things should heat up soon.
Here are the updated rankings for Arkansas targets.
Commit
Kavion Henderson – Defensive End – No. 101 nationally
Still ranked as the number one player in the state of Alabama, Henderson actually saw his ranking drop 22 spots. He was ranked No. 79 nationally when he committed to Arkansas on Nov. 6, and he’s still rated a 5.9 four-star rookie by Rivals.
In addition to Arkansas, the 6-foot-3, 238-pound pass rusher also holds offers from both state schools Alabama and Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU and more.
Targets
Kamarion Franklin – Defensive end – No. 12 nationally
Although he was unranked during his visit to Arkansas with Jarcoby Hopson, another Lake Cormorant (Miss.) high school athlete, Franklin saw his stock soar in Rivals250’s latest update.
Mississippi has been nice to Arkansas, bringing the Razorbacks their final quarterback in KJ Jefferson, but outside of him there hasn’t generally been much movement. With new defensive co-coordinator Marcus Woodson — a native of Mississippi — on staff, things could change.
Franklin is 6-foot-6 and weighs 255 pounds. He is Mississippi State’s No. 1 player. He holds offers from the usual suspects from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Ole Miss and others.
Taylor Tatum – Running Back – No. 62 nationally
A new face in the Rivals250, Tatum is ranked No. 62 nationally and the No. 42 player at Texas State. Arkansas offered Tatum a scholarship on January 17.
In addition to Arkansas, Tatum — a 5.9 four-star freshman — holds offers from several of his state schools like Texas and Baylor, as well as Alabama, Georgia and others.
JJ Harrell – Wide Receiver – No. 65 National
A familiar high school name to Arkansas fans has produced another rookie the Hogs are high on. JJ Harrell, a native of Sardis, Mississippi, and wide receiver at North Panola High School — the same school that produced quarterback KJ Jefferson — has had his name added to the Rivals250.
Harrell, who is 6-foot-2 and 175 pounds, was offered by the Razorbacks on Oct. 9.
The 5.9 four-star rookie also has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida and others.
Payton Pierce – Linebacker – No. 77 nationally
Things have been quiet on the Arkansas side for Pierce, who was offered by Arkansas on June 2 of last year. It climbed the state rankings, now ranking 4th in the state of Texas, and fell 43 places to 77th nationally.
Pierce has made many visits to Arkansas and also holds offers from dozens of other programs. He released a Top 10 from Arkansas, Texas A&M, Michigan, TCU, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Tennessee and Texas in December.
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker hails from Lovejoy High School in Lucas, Texas, the same high school that produced Arkansas’ outstanding linebacker, Bumper Pool.
Ka’Davion Dotson – Security – N°92 nationally
Duncanville High School is another school that has been kind to the Razorbacks, both football and basketball, in recent years. Current Arkansas linebacker Jordan Crook and Arkansas basketball point guard Anthony Black both joined the Hogs from Duncanville, which is near the Dallas area.
Dotson’s ranking dropped seven spots from No. 85 to No. 92 in the latest update. The 5.9-star rookie was re-offered by the Hogs on January 28, 2022, and he also visited Fayetteville in March of last year.
The 6-foot, 178-pound safety contains offers from Florida, Baylor, Texas and others in addition to Arkansas.
Zion Kearney – Wide Receiver – National #128
Now ranked 128th among players in the nation, Kearney traveled to Arkansas on one of his Prospect Days on Jan. 21. He’s been on the Razorbacks’ radar for some time, reporting an offer from the Hogs on Oct. 17.
The 6-foot-3 wide receiver hails from the same town (Missouri City, Texas) that produced former Arkansas quarterback Malik Hornsby, who traded to Texas State, but they played in different secondary schools.
In addition to Arkansas, Kearney has offers from LSU, Kansas State, Baylor and others.
Braylon Burnside – Athlete – National No. 158
Burnside is another rookie offered out of state in Mississippi, and he saw his number drop 13 spots to No. 158 nationally. The Starkville native told HawgBeat last week that he’s still deciding where to visit this spring.
An athlete who played wide receiver in high school, Burnside recorded 1,158 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, averaging 15.6 yards per reception. He helped Starkville High School win the 6A state championship last season and received the All-State First Team award.
In addition to the Hogs, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound athlete has offers from both Ole Miss State schools and Mississippi State, Florida State and others. He is ranked 3rd in the state of Mississippi.
Rivals listed new Arkansas defensive co-coordinator Marcus Woodson as Burnside’s top scout at Florida State, where he coached defensive backs. Familiarity with Woodson should put the Hogs in good stead with Burnside’s commitment down the stretch.
Max Anderson – offensive lineman – No. 181 nationally
We know what head coach Sam Pittman can do for offensive linemen, and Chief Hog has been on Max Anderson for a while. He reported an offer from Arkansas on Sept. 12 of last year.
The Frisco, Texas native is ranked 11th in tackle in the nation and 22nd in Texas State. He most recently visited Fayetteville on November 12.
The 6-foot-5, 300-pound tackle last week posted a Top 12 that includes Arkansas, as well as Baylor, Texas, Alabama, Florida and others.
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