In August 1995, Pulaski County voters went to the polls and approved a one-year sales tax to build an arena in downtown North Little Rock and expand the Statehouse Convention Center in downtown Little Rock.
Arkansas
Where Arkansas football sits in recruiting rankings ahead of early signing day
Arkansas football has finished inside the top-30 of the 247Sports recruiting rankings for five consecutive cycles, but that streak looks in jeopardy.
Early signing day is approaching, and the Razorbacks are trying to hold on to their own recruits while simultaneously chasing players currently committed to other schools. With the transfer portal opening later this month, the next four weeks will play a big role in the 2025 roster.
Here’s a look at where Arkansas stands in the national rankings entering signing day.
Arkansas football recruiting rankings
Arkansas is flirting with a class that ranks outside the top-30 nationally. The 247sports composite currently slates the Hogs 31st, while On3 has them 31st and Rivals slots them 28th.
ESPN is more bullish with Arkansas at No. 23 in its latest rankings.
Arkansas’ class ranks 15th in the SEC, according to the 247Sports Composite. According to that same site’s player rankings, only four Arkansas commits are four-star prospects.
One of those four-star prospects is Conway quarterback Grayson Wilson, who might be the jewel of the class. The others are linebacker Tavion Wallace, defensive lineman Kevin Oatis and offensive lineman Connor Howes.
Arkansas football recruiting targets
Wallace (Baxley, Ga.), the highest-ranked recruit in the Hogs’ class, took unofficial visits to Florida State for each of the Seminoles’ final two games. He is the biggest name to watch on signing day.
Howes is also still being recruited by Ole Miss, too. Arkansas would likely clinch a class outside the top-30 if both of those players flip.
The Hogs are also working on flips of their own. Safety Omarion Robinson and wide receiver Kelshaun Johnson are ones to watch. Robinson is committed to Oklahoma and Johnson has a pledge to Texas A&M.
Arkansas football recruiting class 2025
The Razorbacks enter signing day with 23 commits. The strength of the class is along the defensive front, with seven of the top-10 ranked recruits either playing defensive line or linebacker.
Wide receiver is a position of need this offseason, and Arkansas has two pass catchers committed in the 2025 class. Kamare Williams out of Florida and in-state Antonio Jordan could both see playing time as a freshman with Andrew Armstrong, Tyrone Broden and Isaac TeSlaa all out of eligibility after the bowl game.
One of the commits is our of the JuCo ranks. Bubba Craig is an interior offensive lineman out of Hutchinson Community College who will sign with the Razorbacks this week.
When is early signing day?
The first day of the early signing period is Wednesday, Dec. 4 and the early signing period closes on Friday, Dec. 6.
When is late signing day?
As usual, the first day of the late signing period is the first Wednesday, which is Feb. 5. The late signing period has become without much drama for a program like Arkansas, which often wraps up virtually all of its high school recruiting for the current class this month.
Arkansas
DB Shannon Blair flips to Memphis football from Arkansas on national signing day 2024
Memphis football has flipped another recruit from Arkansas.
The Tigers signed defensive back Shannon Blair during Wednesday’s national signing day. Blair, a junior college transfer from East Mississippi Community College, had been committed to Arkansas for months but announced he was decommitting on Tuesday night.
Blair is a Knoxville native who began his college career at Tennessee before transferring to EMCC. He had 42 tackles and five interceptions at EMCC.
He also had offers from Michigan State and SMU. Blair is the only recruit from Tennessee that Memphis has signed so far on Wednesday.
Both of Memphis’ starting cornerbacks in 2024 — Kobee Minor and Davion Ross — are out of eligibility. That means there will be opportunities up for grabs heading into 2025, and Blair figures to have a shot at claiming one of those spots.
Where Shannon Blair ranks according to 247Sports
Blair is rated as a three-star recruit in the 247Sports Composite. He’s the No. 22 juco player and the No. 3 cornerback.
He’s the second recruit to flip from Arkansas to Memphis this week after defensive tackle JaQuentin Madison flipped ahead of signing day.
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.
Arkansas
A catalyst for Argenta | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Arkansas
Top 25 Arkansas High School Football Rankings (12/3/2024)
It’s that time of the year, everyone. High school football games kicked off throughout the state of Arkansas Nov. 29 and there was plenty of great action taking place.
The No. 1 team in the Natural State remains Bryant then followed by Greenwood followed by Conway, which suffered their first loss of the season a few weeks ago, and then Little Rock Parkview.
Here’s the complete breakdown of Arkansas’ elite high school football teams, heading into the 2024 AAA state championships, as we see it.
Senior quarterback Jordan Walker has been arguably the state’s top passer all season long, completing 108-of-180 passes for 2,145 yards, 36 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Onto the state final round for the Hornets.
Nobody has played better under center in the state of Arkansas than Kane Archer of Greenwood. The quarterback has thrown for 3,559 yards, a ridiculous 54 touchdowns and just one mere interception. Archer might have an argument when it comes to Player of the Year, regardless of state.
Since a Sep. 20th loss to Lee’s Summit North, Bentonville has won nine straight games. The latest victory was an impressive 36-34 win over Conway (see below).
Parkview’s lone loss of the season is a 30-10 decision to No. 1 team in Bryant. The Patriots continued in the playoffs with a 44-14 win over Valley View last week.
The Wampus Cats don’t drop too far in our rankings after what could be labeled a surprising, 36-34, loss to Bentonville.
This Pulaski Academy team’s only three losses have come against Bryant (twice) and Conway. Both of those clubs are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in these rankings. The Bruins season came to a close after a 41-7 loss to Bryant last week.
Griffin Mason has proven himself as one of the state’s top running backs this season, carrying the rock 259 times for 1,626 yards and scoring 17 touchdowns. Now they will face off against No.2-ranked Greenwood on Saturday.
Another week and another Elks’ win to remain undefeated. Elkins rolled to a 45-31 victory over Malvern last week in the third round of the playoffs. Now they’ll take on Mills University Studies this week.
The Panthers offense has shown up all season long, but it would be its defense not being able to slow down Shiloh Christian last week. Benton’s season ended with a 45-32 loss.
It was an offensive explosion last week for Farmington when they upended Hot Springs Lakeside in a 59-55 thriller.
The Comets just keep winning and their latest victory was a 47-40 decision over Warren last week.
The Badgers made their way back into the rankings after winning nine straight games, including two shutouts. Only two losses have come to Camden Fairview and Lake Hamilton.
Valley View’s season has come to a close after a 44-14 loss to Little Rock Parkview last week.
We leave Hot Springs Lakeside right where they’re at after a heartbreaking 59-55 loss to Farmington last week.
The Lions pulling off a 33-29 upset win over Prescott a few weeks ago vaulted them into our rankings last week. Bismarck finished the regular season at 10-0 and continued its winning ways last week with a 28-17 victory over Seminole.
The Southerners just keep on finding ways to win and did so once again last week in a 24-7 loss to Monticello.
Dardanelle made its debut in the rankings a few weeks ago, but its season came to a close last Friday in a 35-27 loss to Arkadelphia. .
The Bombers ever since losing 37-13 to Shiloh Christian have responded with a five-game winning streak. Wins have come over Russellville, Siloam Springs, Lake Hamilton and Van Buren. Mountain Home’s win streak ended in a 42-0 loss to No. 2 Greenwood.
The Rockets suffered their first loss of the season against a very good Benton team, 42-0. Catholic season ended with a 42-14 loss to Mountain Home.
Tyson Bradden has done a nice job taking care of the football and producing plenty of points. The senior has thrown for over 1,400 yards and 20-plus touchdown passes this season. Robinson’s season ended with a 21-17 loss Lakeside.
The Bulldogs’ season ended with a 39-32 loss to Pulaski Academy.
Rogers bounced back from a loss to Fayetteville a few weeks ago with three straight victories to end the regular season and into the playoffs.
Back to back losses to Greenwood and Mountain Home had us dropping Lake Hamilton down the ranks a bit. Lake Hamilton came up with a big win over Jonesboro, 41-27, to open the postseason. Lake Hamilton lost to Benton, 57-14.
Yes, the Wolverines have eight losses to their name this season, but were able to pickup an impressive 38-22 victory over Little Rock Christian last week. Bentonville West lost to Bentonville last week, 53-28.
Putting together a very tough regular season schedule had paid off for the Panthers. Cabot’s season ended with a 43-0 loss to Bryant.
Be sure to Bookmark High School on SI for all of the latest high school football news.
To get live updates on your phone – as well as follow your favorite teams and top games – you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App| Download Android App
— Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sbliveark
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