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REPORT: In-state 4-star running back down to Arkansas, Missouri

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REPORT: In-state 4-star running back down to Arkansas, Missouri


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.

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 coach Eli Drinkwitz celebrates after defensive touchdown in the third quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks

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.

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.

Razorbacks running backs coach Kolby Smith during preseason practices

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.

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





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Arkansas driver’s licenses and state IDs now available in Apple Wallet

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Arkansas driver’s licenses and state IDs now available in Apple Wallet


Arkansans can now present their driver’s licenses and state identification cards on mobile devices using Apple Wallet, state finance officials announced Wednesday.

The Department of Finance and Administration said Arkansans can use Apple Wallet to present their license or ID in person, online and in apps at select organizations, including at more than 250 Transportation Security



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Your Arkansas Driver’s License Can Now Live on Your iPhone

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Your Arkansas Driver’s License Can Now Live on Your iPhone


IDEMIA Public Security North America and the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration’s Division of Driver Services and Motor Vehicles have launched Arkansas driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet, allowing residents to securely store and use their credentials on an iPhone or Apple Watch.

The new feature gives Arkansans the ability to present their identification at participating businesses and venues, at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints in more than 250 airports, and online or within apps when age or identity verification is required.

The launch builds on Arkansas’ ongoing efforts to expand digital identification options. In March 2025, the state introduced the Arkansas Mobile ID app, and officials say adding IDs to Apple Wallet offers residents another secure and convenient way to access their credentials.

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“We’re proud to build on our partnership with the Arkansas DFA’s Division of Driver Services and Motor Vehicles, expanding on the launch of the Arkansas Mobile ID app in March 2025. The launch of ID in Apple Wallet in the state provides Arkansas residents a new, secure way to store and present their digital credentials, with transparency and control over how their information is shared at the forefront,” said Rob Gardner, CEO, IDEMIA Civil Identity.

To add an Arkansas driver’s license or state ID to Apple Wallet, users can tap the plus sign at the top of the Wallet app on their iPhone, select “Driver’s License or State ID,” and follow the verification process.

Officials say privacy and security were central considerations in the rollout. Information stored in Apple Wallet is encrypted on a user’s device, and users control when and how their information is shared. When presenting an ID, only the information necessary to verify age or identity is provided.

Apple and the Arkansas Division of Driver Services and Motor Vehicles also do not receive information about when or where residents use their digital IDs.

The technology is also designed to make verification easier for businesses. Participating businesses can use IDEMIA’s Mobile ID Verify app to accept and verify mobile IDs directly from an iPhone without requiring customers to hand over their devices or use additional hardware.

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The launch marks another step toward broader adoption of digital credentials in Arkansas, giving residents a secure alternative to carrying a physical driver’s license or state ID while maintaining control over their personal information.

For information on the launch of IDs in Apple Wallet in Arkansas, click here.

READ ALSO: Adam O’Neal Stepping into Chancellor Role at UA-EACC



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Arkansas gymnatics coach Chris Brooks completes staff with hiring of Zan Jones | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

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Arkansas gymnatics coach Chris Brooks completes staff with hiring of Zan Jones | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette


New Arkansas gymnastics coach Chris Brooks announced Monday the hiring of Zan Jones to complete his first staff, as well as the promotion of assistants Kyla Ross and Catelyn Branson.

Brooks succeeded his wife, Jordyn Wieber, on April 28 after Wieber stepped down.

Jones joins the Razorback after two seasons as an assistant coach at Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas. The Pioneers won back-to-back Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics National Invitational Championship titles in 2025 and 2026 with Jones on staff. He has been named a Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association Division II assistant coach of the year three times, including this spring.

Jones also earned Midwest Independent Conference assistant coach of the year in both of his seasons at Texas Woman’s.

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Jones served as the Pioneers’ primary vault and uneven bars coach, and the team set a program record of 49.35 on the bars in March.

An Alabama alumnus, Jones served as a student manager for the Crimson Tide gymnastics team. He served a year at Talladega (Ala.) College in its inaugural season of gymnastics and spent time as a recreational and team coach at Trussville (Ala.) Academy of Gymnastics.

Brooks also promoted both Ross and Branson to the title of associate head coach. Ross, a former UCLA gymnast and Olympic gold medalist as part of Team USA in 2012, started at Arkansas as a volunteer assistant in 2022. Ross helped Arkansas produce program records on the balance beam in back-to-back years before taking over the vault squad, which set a program high 49.675 in 2026. 

The Razorbacks ranked as high as No. 2 on the vault last season and were never lower than No. 7. Senior transfer Morgan Price landed the first 10 in school history on the vault in February.

Branson returned to the Arkansas staff ahead of the 2025 season, helping lead the floor squad. In that time, Branson has led the Gymbacks to two of their top five best floor scores ever and Arkansas has been ranked as high as No. 2 in the country on floor in the last two seasons. In 2026, over 60% of the team’s scores on floor were 9.85 or better.

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Branson served as Lindenwood’s head coach from 2022-24, where she was named 2024 Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association South Central Region Coach of the Year and the Midwest Independent Conference Coach of the Year. She led the Lions to their second consecutive and fifth overall USAG national championship and seventh MIC title in 2024.

Branson had a prior stint at Arkansas from 2020 to 2022, in which time the Gymbacks ranked as high as third on beam and second on floor.



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