2027 QB Joaquin Kavouklis decommits from Arkansas

Tampa Gaither three-star quarterback Joaquin Kavouklis has decommitted from Arkansas, according to Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett.

Pledged to the Razorbacks since July 3, Kavouklis stayed pledged to the SEC program as it transitioned coaching staffs, but the 6-foot-2 signal-caller is now re-opening his recruitment between his junior and senior seasons.

Kavouklis is the No. 718 overall prospect and No. 53 QB in the 2027 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 80 recruit in Florida.

Over the weekend, Kavouklis competed at the first Elite 11 Regional of the year in South Florida. Rivals’ Marcus Benjamin caught up with the now-former Arkansas pledge, who said that he was hearing from a few schools.

Miami, Penn State, Purdue and Virginia Tech have been in contact, according to Benjamin. The Boilermakers and Hokies have previously built relationships with the QB.

“I’ve had a relationship with them since my freshman year, and he’s still there,” Kavouklis said of Virginia Tech Co-Quarterbacks Coach Brian Crist. “Obviously, they had a new staff change, but he’s still over there. Same thing with Purdue, because (QBs coach Darin Hinshaw) offered me over at UCF. I still have an amazing connection with him.”

Kavouklis transferred from Lakeland to Gaither after the beginning of the 2025 season and was ruled ineligible for the rest of the fall. He originally began his high school career at Clearwater Academy International, then played for Tarpon Springs in 2024.

As a sophomore, Kavouklis threw for 2,404 yards and 21 touchdowns to eight interceptions, per MaxPreps. He completed 61 percent of his passes and averaged over 14 yards per completion. As a freshman in 2023, he threw for 1,608 yards and 13 TDs for Clearwater Academy International.

Kavouklis leaves new Arkansas head coach Ryan Silverfield and Co. with just one commit in their 2027 class in Sheridan (Ark.) three-star interior offensive lineman Bradley Sturdivant. Earlier this month, Fayetteville High four-star quarterback Hank Hendrix reclassified up to the 2026 cycle and committed to the Hogs. He slots in as the No. 18 QB in the Rivals300.

In the 2026 cycle, Arkansas now has the No. 51 class nationally, according to the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Hendrix is one of three blue-chippers in the haul, alongside Wynne (Ark.) Cross County four-star defensive lineman Danny Beale III and Bryant (Ark.) four-star running back TJ Hodges, two other top in-state prospects.