FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — When Arkansas is at its best Little Rock is producing high quality players. At least for the 2025 recruiting cycle, central Arkansas is stocked with prospects poised to make an impact in college.

Former central Arkansas natives like Darren McFadden, Peyton Hillis, Jamaal Anderson, Joe Adams, Hunter Henry and DJ Williams are a few who left their mark as Razorbacks. Most of them played onn successful 10-win seasons from 2006-2011 which remains Arkansas’ winningest era in the SEC.

Conway quarterback Grayson Wilson hopped aboard during the spring of 2023 and has held steadfast in his commitment to the Razorbacks. Despite changes at offensive coordinator from Dan Enos to Bobby Petrino hope stays high with better days coming. WIlson, who has grown to 6-4 and 215 pounds, flourished in a passer friendly offense at Central Arkansas Christian under former Missouri assistant Ryan Howard.

The rising senior displayed dual-threat capabilities behind center last season completing 209-of-308 passes for 3,143 yards, 41 touchdowns and only two interceptions. He rushed for 837 yards and an additional 15 scores. Wilson led the Mustangs to a 9-3 record and an appearance in the 4A quarterfinals.

He is making a huge jump to the largest high school classification in Arkansas with the Wampus Cats. Conway has been one of the better programs at the 7A level over the past seven seasons with four 10-win seasons.

Little Rock Parkview is another program in central Arkansas currently on the rise under coach Brad Bolding. The Patriots have won back-to-back state championships at the 5A level and will look for a three peat this fall. New Arkansas commit Quentin Murphy will guide his team at quarterback along with three other 2025 prospects.

4-star safety Omarion Robinson has been regarded as one of the best athletes in the country since blasting onto the scene as a freshman. The 6-0, 171 pound defensive back was named to the second team All-Freshman team by MaxPreps. He was highly productive scoring four total touchdowns on defense and special teams. Robinson has set his commitment date for June 29 and will choose between Arkansas, Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma, Oregon and many others.

Running back Monterrio Elston will also announce his college plans June 29. The 5-9 tailback holds an offer from Arkansas. Memphis, UNLV and Arkansas State are also in the running for his services. Elston is a track athlete with verified 10.99 speed in the 100 meter dash.

Elston’s running mate Cameron Settles is another 3-star with an Arkansas offer. Oregon State and SMU are his only other major offers so far. Settles adds plenty of speed to the backfield with multiple runs of 30 yards or more last season. He averaged over eight yards a carry and added five touchdowns as a junior in 2023.

Former Arkansas commit and current Oklahoma pledge Marcus Wimberly of Bauxite is another terrific athlete in the central Arkansas area. Rated as a safety, he can play multiple positions at the next level but is expected to play on defense in college. He scored 18 touchdowns on offense at quarterback, tailback and receiver as a junior. Wimberly posted 12 total tackles on defense in 2023.

Notre Dame commit and Bryant native Daniel Anderson is another tailback in a state that is rich in the position for this cycle. He pledged with the Fighting Irish before his junior campaign and rushed for 856 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. He is capable of catching the ball from the backfield with over 200 yards and another three scores.

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The University of Arkansas football program added a commitment Saturday from Little Rock Parkview athlete Quentin Murphy during a ceremony at the Keith Jackson Training Facility in Little Rock.

“I chose to stay home because I have a special connection with all the (Arkansas) coaches, especially Coach (Sam) Pittman,” Murphy said. “He believed in me when I was in the 10th grade and kept fighting to get me. That’s true love.”

Murphy, 6-1 and 205 pounds, chose the Razorbacks over reported scholarship offers from Georgia Tech, Syracuse, Louisville, Michigan State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Oklahoma, Michigan State and others.

He informed Pittman of his commitment April 15, his birthday.

“He was excited. He said, ‘You made my day,’ and I was glad to hear that,” Murphy said.

Murphy played quarterback at Joe T. Robinson High School in Little Rock as a junior and completed 61 of 136 passes for 892 yards and 13 touchdowns, and rushed 85 times for 697 yards and 7 touchdowns.

He transferred to Little Rock Parkview for the spring semester and is slated to play this fall for the Patriots, the two-time defending Class 5A state champions.

Rivals lists him as a 4-star recruit and the No. 20 athlete in the class of 2025. His versatility opens the possibility for him to play several positions, but he said he has his eye set on offense, particularly at wide receiver.

“They said I can play whatever, but I want to play wideout,” he said.

Parkview Coach Brad Bolding said the Hogs are getting a top prospect and person.

“We’re very excited about his commitment and being able to focus on having a great senior season,” Bolding said. “He is a tremendous athlete and is a great young man and very personable. I like that in young men.”

Murphy said he plans to officially visit Fayetteville on June 7-9.

The Razorbacks hope to add some of his Parkview teammates to the commitment list in the future. Arkansas has offered scholarships to Parkview safety Omarion Robinson, athlete Monterrio Elston and running back Cameron Settles in the 2025 class, and 2026 linebacker Jakore Smith.

Murphy is Arkansas’ seventh commitment in the 2025 class.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina is adding former Arkansas forward Maryam Dauda to its national championship roster.

The 6-foot-4 Dauda spent the past three seasons with the Razorbacks. She announced her commitment to the Gamecocks on social media on Wednesday.

Dauda, who is from Bentonville, Arkansas, started all 33 games at Arkansas this past season and led the team in field-goal percentage, blocks and offensive rebounds. That should be a strong fit for South Carolina and coach Dawn Staley, whose team lost its biggest post presence and top scorer in 6-7 Kamilla Cardoso after finishing an undefeated season.

Dauda came to Arkansas as a McDonald’s All-American but missed her first year in 2021-22 because of injury. She averaged 10.1 points and 6.3 rebounds this past season.

Dauda joins a stacked front court at South Carolina, which includes 6-3 Ashlyn Watkins, 6-3 Sania Feagin and 6-2 Chloe Kitts, all of whom played big roles in their team’s 38-0 season.

The Gamecocks also added 6-5 freshman Adhel Tac, who joined the team in midseason this past year as she rehabbed a knee injury.

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