FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The race is on to land one of Arkansas’ top uncommitted prospects as 4-star running back TJ Hodges is down to two teams, according to Rivals.
Both Arkansas and Missouri have maintained consistent contact with Hodges throughout his recruitment even after he transferred from Marked Tree to 7A powerhouse Bryant this summer.
Arkansas and Missouri are battling at the top for 4-star RB TJ Hodges, and he tells @samspiegs that a decision is coming soon🐗🐯
Hodges, an electric 4-star prospect, was very productive during the 2024 season with 158 carries for 1796 rushing yards 22 touchdowns in Arkansas’ Class 2A classifcation at Marked Tree.
He also totaled 13 receptions for 250 yards and two touchdowns along with time on defense recording 38 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, two sacks, four forced fumbles and one pass breakup.
While those numbers are posted against the state’s smallest classification, it doesn’t take long to pull up Hodges’ tape and notice how much of a difference maker he can be in college.
Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz celebrates after a defensive touchdown in the third quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark. / Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
The 6-foot-1, 175 pound running athlete is currently ranked No. 238 overall among 2026 prospects, No. 15 at his position and No. 3 player in Arkansas, according to 247sports.
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Over the winter, Hodges was predicted to land at Missouri by On3’s vice president Steve Wiltfong with a 60% confidence rating which continues the trend of Arkansas missing out on the state’s highly rated prospects under coach Sam Pittman.
On3’s @SWiltfong_ has logged an expert prediction for Missouri to land 2026 4-star RB TJ Hodges🐯
The Razorbacks saw three of its best five 2025 prospects choose to leave the state, missed out on six of the top 10 in 2024 and four of the top 11 in 2021.
Things have only gotten worse this year as four of the top five have committed elsewhere. The potential loss of Hodges will be a first in the state during the modern recruiting service era.
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Hodges was first offered by UNLV and North Texas followed by Baylor, USC, Purdue, Ole Miss and Auburn from January 2024 through April 2024. The Razorbacks didn’t extend a scholarship offer until May 16, 2024 along with Florida State and Washington.
Arkansas Razorbacks running backs coach Kolby Smith during preseason practices Aug. 1, 2024, at the indoor center in Fayetteville, Ark. / Andy Hodges-Hogs on SI Images
Missouri coaches began to prioritize its neighboring state once again and offered Hodges mid-November, receiving an unofficial visit two weeks later when Arkansas visited for the Battle Line Rivalry game.
Since Missouri joined the SEC in 2012, the Natural State has extended a helping hand to the Tigers’ surge within the conference. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz now appears poised to steal another prospect from Arkansas.
Among the in-state athletes who have headed north: Damarea Crockett, Jordon Harris, Austyn Dendy, Brian Huff, Drey Norwood, Taylor Powell, Akial Byers and Barrett Banister. Each has played a vital role against the Razorbacks, helping Missouri claim a 12–4 edge in the series.
Marked Tree 2026 RB Terry Hodges
Elite speed & keeps it on cuts, great understanding of angles, patient runner.
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Game changer. Consensus 4-star. Top-20 RB
Offers from Arkansas, Auburn, Missouri, USC, Ole Miss, Baylor, Florida State. pic.twitter.com/QR0vn9lJ9o
The Razorbacks have seen several 4-star prospects within its borders head elsewhere such as defensive lineman Danny Beale (Oklahoma State), offensive lineman Evan Goodwin (SMU), Jakore Smith (Oklahoma) and Anthony Kennedy (Miami).
“If you look at our state, you know, we just don’t have a populated state,” Pittman said at 2024 SEC Media Days. “We may have anywhere from six to eight kids that can play football in the SEC. At least in our opinion. That doesn’t make us right. But at least in our opinion.”
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Overall, the 2026 class has 15 players who have reported at least one offer from an SEC program, which is a particularly strong year for Arkansas high school football.
Arkansas currently sits at No. 8 among SEC teams, No. 25 nationally in 247sports composite recruiting rankings.
Razorbacks 2026 Commit List
4-star OL Bryce Gilmore, Prosper Texas 4-star DE Colton Yarbrough, Durant, Oklahoma 4-star LB JJ Bush, Theodore, Alabama 4-star WR Dequane Prevo, Bentonville 4-star OL Ben Mubenga, Buford, Georgia 3-star QB Jayvon Gilmore, Gaffney, South Carolina 3-star WR Keymian Henderson, Carthage, Texas 3-star S Adam Auston, Lawton, Oklahoma 3-star TE Jaivion Martin, Pflugerville, Texas 3-star DL Ari Slocum, Farmerville, Louisiana 3-star S Tay Lockett, San Diego, California 3-star S Keivay Foster, Muscle Shoals, Alabama 3-star DB Victor Lincoln, Lancaster, Texas 3-star S Daylen Green, Havana, Florida 3-star DB Jalon Copeland, Valdosta, Georgia 3-star WR Robert Haynes, Missouri City, Texas 3-star DB Kyndrick Williams, Fayetteville 3-star OL Hugh Smith, Missouri City, Texas 3-star TE Kade Bush, Chanhassen, Minnesota 3-star OL Tucker Young, Hot Springs 3-star DL Carnell Jackson, Auburn, Alabama 3-star WR Blair Irvin III, Bentonville 3-star DL Cameron McGee, Loganville, Georgia 3-star LB Caleb Gordon, Gastonia, North Carolina 3-star OL Ashley Walker, Hollywood, Florida 3-star ATH Ashton Dawson, Shreveport, Louisiana
This is “Arkies in the Beltway” for the week of Dec. 14, 2025! I’m Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.
[Click here to listen to the podcast.]
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Arkansas farm leaders are thankful for the White House’s plan to help agriculture, but they remain uneasy about farming’s immediate future.
The Trump administration plans to provide farmers across the country with one-time relief payments in the coming months. The package totals $12 billion, with row crop farmers set to receive most of the funds.
The Trump administration announced the relief package during a roundtable last Monday at the White House.
Two Arkansans — U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., and Crittenden County farmer Charles Williams — joined other lawmakers and farmers for the event.
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Read the full story in Monday’s edition of the Democrat-Gazette.
The Arkansas Army National Guard continues its mission in the nation’s capital. Roughly 100 National Guard members arrived in Washington, D.C., earlier this month to assist local law enforcement.
The topic of deploying National Guard units to cities across the country was the subject of a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing last Thursday.
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., serves on the committee. The Little Rock senator defended the president’s ability to use the National Guard and military units in American cities, citing President Dwight Eisenhower’s 1957 decision to send federal troops to Little Rock to desegregate Little Rock Central High School.
STORY: Cotton defends Trump’s National Guard deployments to U.S. cities, compares them to Central High crisis
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The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced David Clay Fowlkes’ nomination to the full chamber for its consideration.
President Donald Trump nominated Fowlkes to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas. The Arkansan currently serves as the district’s U.S. attorney.
STORY: U.S. Senate committee advances Fowlkes judicial nomination
Thank you for supporting “Arkies in the Beltway!” You can stay up to date with all Arkansas news at ArkansasOnline.com, or follow me on Bluesky for more developments from the nation’s capital!
Bill Bowden covers a variety of news for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, primarily in Northwest Arkansas. He has worked at the newspaper for 16 years and previously worked for both the Arkansas Democrat and Arkansas Gazette.
The No. 17 Arkansas Razorbacks (7-2) and No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders (7-2) meet Saturday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Tip-off is set for noon ET (ESPN2). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the Arkansas vs. Texas Tech odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.
Arkansas earned its second straight win last Saturday, rolling past the Fresno State Bulldogs 82-58. It covered as a 20-point home favorite, and the Under (160.5) hit. Arkansas controlled the game defensively, forcing 17 turnovers and holding the Bulldogs to 15% (4-for-26) shooting from 3-point range. G Darius Acuff Jr. led the way with 18 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and a steal.
Texas Tech extended its winning streak to 3 games Sunday with an 82-58 win over the LSU Tigers. The Red Raiders covered as 5.5-point home favorites, and the Under (153.5) cashed. Texas Tech locked in defensively, holding LSU to 17% (4-for-24) shooting from 3-point range. G Christian Anderson led all players with 27 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals. F LeJuan Watts provided a double-double (15 points and 10 rebounds) off the bench.
Texas Tech and Arkansas last met March 27 in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. The Red Raiders survived an 85-83 OT win, while Arkansas covered as a 5.5-point underdog. The total pushed past the number, cashing the Over.
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– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
Watch NCAA basketball on Fubo!
Arkansas vs. Texas Tech odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:49 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Arkansas -102 (bet $102 to win $100) | Texas Tech -118 (bet $118 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Arkansas +1.5 (-115) | Texas Tech -1.5 (-105)
Over/Under (O/U): 157.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Arkansas vs. Texas Tech picks and predictions
Prediction
Arkansas 76, Texas Tech 73
BET ARKANSAS (-102).
This is a rematch the Razorbacks haven’t forgotten. They had Texas Tech on the ropes in the Sweet 16 last March before watching it slip away late, and this feels like a clear revenge spot on a neutral floor in Dallas.
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What I like most is Arkansas’ backcourt. The Razorbacks are quicker, more dynamic and better equipped to control tempo, especially with Acuff starting to look more comfortable running the offense. When Arkansas is at its best, the ball is in its guards’ hands, pushing pace and creating pressure, and that’s an area where Texas Tech can struggle.
The Razorbacks’ losses this season have come against strong competition, and they were competitive in each one. Texas Tech, meanwhile, has been more uneven. The Red Raiders handled LSU, but they’ve also been blown out and pushed around by other quality opponents.
In a tight, high-energy matchup, I’ll trust the deeper roster, the fresher legs in the backcourt and the team with something to prove. Arkansas is the side for me.
PASS.
No need to play around with the spread when you can get the Razorback at plus odds on the moneyline.
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BET UNDER 157.5 (-115).
Texas Tech leans on physical half-court defense, while Arkansas defends cleanly without sending teams to the line and ranks 28th nationally in 3-point defense. The Under has hit in 6 of Texas Tech’s last 7 games and 6 of Arkansas’ last 8, making this a strong trend-based spot.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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