FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas only has a couple of spots left to fill for its 2019 recruiting class, but next Wednesday’s National Signing Day won’t be without its share of drama for the Hogs.
While Warren wide receiver, Pulaski Academy tight end Hudson Henry, and Mansfield (Texas) Legacy safety are all fully expected to sign with the Razorbacks, there are a few current commitments and undecided prospects to watch.
That group includes two Arkansas verbal pledges in running back A’Montae Spivey of Phenix City (Ala.) Central, and cornerback Adonis Otey of Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Blackman. Both prospects have been committed to the Hogs for several months, but Ole Miss hosted Spivey on an official visit last weekend while Otey was on a visit with the USC Trojans.
Spivey, 6-1, 210, 4.5 40-yard dash, and Otey, 5-11, 180, 4.6, both plan to announce their final decisions next Wednesday, and there’s been no indication from either player on which direction they might be leaning following their respective trips.
If Arkansas manages to somehow keep both on board, there will only be two scholarships left to fill for the 2019 cycle. Those two spots are currently being reserved by a pair of linebacker targets in Chris Russell of Dyersburg (Tenn.), and four-star JUCO talent Lakia Henry of Dodge City (Kan.) Community College.
Russell, 6-1, 228, 4.6, has a final three of Arkansas, Texas A&M and Tennessee. He was on the Hill for an official visit this past weekend and came away impressed by his time with head coach Chad Morris and defensive coordinator John “Chief” Chavis.
“I pretty much think of Chief as a G.O.A.T. – the greatest of all time,” Russell said. “Coach Morris, he’s pretty cool. He’s really a hyper guy. I like his style of coaching.”
Russell, who de-committed from Memphis last fall, took official trips to Texas A&M and Auburn prior to his stay in Fayetteville. The Tennessee Vols will receive his final official visit this weekend, but most believe it’s a two-team race between the Hogs and Aggies for his signature.
Henry, who made an official visit in Fayetteville last November, was also on Ole Miss’ campus for a visit this past weekend. He came away from the trip saying he’s down to the Rebels and Razorbacks, but the Texas Longhorns will get their chance to impress him this weekend.
“It’s tied. Honestly, man, it is,” Henry said of Arkansas and Ole Miss. The Vidalia (Ga.) native also plans to make his college announcement on National Signing Day.
Counting Spivey and Otey, the Razorbacks currently have a total of 27 commitments and signees for the Class of 2019. Arkansas officially added 22 of those in the early signing period, and the staff has room for 29 new additions this year after signing four shy of the scholarship limit (25) in last year’s class.
The best case scenario, obviously, would be to somehow keep Spivey and Otey while landing both linebacker prospects. If Spivey were to choose Ole Miss over the Hogs, the staff could possibly make a late run at Ocala (Fla.) Vanguard running back Glover Cook.
The 6-0, 180-pounder from Florida has owned his Arkansas offer since last February and is close to deciding between Missouri and Kansas.
If the Razorbacks lose Otey and/or miss one the linebacker targets, they could reserve the spots for late junior college targets or continue to monitor the NCAA’s transfer portal for graduate transfers.
Until those issues are decided, Arkansas is preparing to host its second “prospect day” for the 2020 and 2021 prospects this Saturday.