National Signing Day 2026: updates on Arkansas signees
The Arkansas Razorbacks added key pieces for the future under new head coach Ryan Silverfield on 2026 National Signing Day.
The man who claimed the Hogs were “going to put together one of the best signing classes in Arkansas history in a three-day period” quickly got started on making that come to fruition as Silverfield secured the commitments of four top prospects from The Natural State a day after being hired.
Of the expected 13 signees, nine hail from The Natural State, headlined by Arkansas’ top overall player in four-star defensive lineman Danny Beale. Silverfield also mentioned there could be some unexpected additions in store.
“Arkansas fans be ready, some surprises are going to show up on signing day” Silverfield said on The Razorback Daily with Quinn Grovey and Matt Zimmerman.
Entering the early signing period that goes from Dec. 3-5, the Razorbacks are No. 58 in the On3 Industry Rankings.
Follow along for live updates as national letter of intents come in…
2026 Razorback Signees
DB – Brandon Ford – Crowley (Texas)
Quick facts: Three-star prospect, one of two flips from Ryan Silverfield’s class at Memphis. Logged 13 tackles, six pass breakups and an interception and contributed on varsity since his freshman season. Picked Arkansas over Arizona, Arizona State, Houston, Kansas State, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Pittsburgh, SMU, Texas Tech and others.
WR — Dequane Prevo — Bentonville (Ark.)
Quick facts: Three-star prospect according to Rivals. Chose Arkansas over offers from Texas A&M, Texas, SMU and others. Played his senior year at Bentonville after transferring from Liberty-Eylau in Texas.
WR – Jude Hall – Christ Church Episcopal (S.C.)
Quick facts: Three-star prospect who from Memphis where he was initially committed to Hogs head coach Ryan Silverfield. Totaled over 2,000 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns in his prep career. Two-time state track champion in 400-meter hurdles and finished second in that event at the New Balance Nationals his freshman year. Picked Arkansas over Boston College, Cincinnati, Duke, Memphis and others.
DL – Anthony Kennedy Jr. – Central (Ark.)
Quick facts: Three-star prospect. Also played at Maumelle and Little Rock Southwest during prep career. Will participate in the Military Appreciation Bowl on Dec. 21 in Frisco (Texas). Posted season-best throws of 42-3 and 131-0 in shot put and discus last spring in track and field. Picked Arkansas over Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Mississippi State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Purdue, SMU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, TCU, USC and others.
DB – Tay Lockett – Conway
Quick facts: Three-star prospect. Trasnferred to Conway over the summer following a decorated prep career in the San Diego (Calif.) area where he was selected as a two-time All-American by MaxPreps. Tallied 56 total tackles, 10 pass breakups, forced a fumble and nabbed three interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns, in 2025. Also thrived on special teams, logging 276 punt return yards on 16 returns and four kickoffs for 150 yards and a score. Picked Arkansas over Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, Boston College, Colorado, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Indiana, LSU, Louisville, Maryland, Miami, Michigan, Mississippi State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Penn State, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas A&M, UCF, USC and others.
LS – Eli Haltom – Pleasant Grove (Texas)
Quick facts: Five-star prospect according to Rubio Long Snapping and four-star prospect per Kohl’s Kicking. Possesses snapping best time of .67 second. Part of a Pleasant Grove team that went 11-2 in 2025, including 5-0 in district play.
OL – Hugh Smith – Ridge Point (Texas)
Quick facts: Three-star prospect. Led Ridge Point to an 11-1 record in 2025, including 7-0 in district play, while helping the offense average 416.2 total yards per game. Logged 25 pancake blocks at left tackle. Picked Arkansas over Arizona State, Boston College, Houston, Kansas, Kansas State, Memphis, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Stanford, Vanderbilt and others.
RB – TJ Hodges – Bryant
Quick facts: Four-star prospect. After transferring from Marked Tree during the offseason, Hodges has helped Bryant to its second consecutive state championship game while rushing for 900 yards and seven touchdowns on 108 carries, while also hauling in eight catches for 142 yards and three scores. Picked Arkansas over Auburn, Baylor, Florida State, Louisville, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Purdue, USC and others.
DB — Kyndrick Williams — Fayetteville (Ark.)
Quick facts: Three-star prospect. Logged 37 total tackles, five pass breakups and one interception in 2025. Has been clocked at a 4.48 in the 40-yard dash and owns a 38-inch vertical jump. Picked Arkansas over UNLV and others.
DL — Danny Beale III — Cross County (Ark.)
Quick facts: Four-star prospect. Helped Cross County to the 2A state championship and has recorded 35 tackles, including three for loss, 1.5 sacks, two pass breakups, one interception and six quarterback hurries. Chose Arkansas over Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, SMU, Tennessee, Texas A&M, USC and others.
LB — Jakore Smith — Bryant (Ark.)
Quick facts: Three-star prospect. Helped Bryant to a 12-0 record and a second-straight appearance in the Class 7A state title game. Logged 60 tackles, including one for loss, three interceptions, recovered three fumbles and had two defensive touchdowns in 2025 so far. Previously played at Parkview Magnet where he helped the Patriots win consecutive 5A state championships in 2023 and 2024. Picked Arkansas over Alabama, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, Michigan, Mississippi State, Missouri, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, UCF and others.
WR — Blair Irvin III — Bentonville (Ark.)
Quick facts: Three-star. Led Bentonville to consecutive Class 7A state championship games and helped the Tigers to a 12-0 record in 2025 while hauling in 42 catches for 634 yards and eight touchdowns, plus he has scored a rushing touchdown. Picked Arkansas over Kansas State, Minnesota, North Texas, Purdue, South Florida and others.
OL — Ben Mubenga — Buford (Ga.)
Quick facts: Three-star prospect. Began varsity career at defensive end before flipping over to offensive line his sophomore season. Led Buford to a 13-0 record while paving the way for an offense that is averaging 356.4 yards and 47.8 points per game. Arrived in the United States in 2017 and did not play football until freshman year of high school. Picked Arkansas over Georgia Tech, Florida State, NC State, Oregon and others.
OL — Tucker Young — Lakeside (Ark.)
Quick facts: Three-star prospect. Named one of three finalists for the Willie Roaf Award, presented annually to the top high school offensive lineman in Arkansas. While helping the Rams to a 5A state title appearance, Young has blocked for an offense that averages 417.9 yards per game in 2025. Picked Arkansas over Memphis and others.
DB – Jalon Copeland – Valdosta (Ga.)
Quick facts: Three-star prospect. Helped Valdosta to a 12-1 record in 2025 while logging 23 tackles, 12 pass breakups, three interceptions, plus forced a fumble and recovered one. Picked Arkansas over Boston College, Illinois, Michigan State, Nebraska, Penn State and others.
P – Connor Smith – Ridgeview (Va.)
Quick facts: Five-star prospect and No. 9 punter in his class per Kohl’s Kicking. Scored 110.88 points in pocket punting and charted a punt as big as 68 yards with a 5.01 second hang time at Kohl’s 2025 Southern Spring Showcase.
DL – Colton Yarbrough – Durant (Okla.)
Quick facts: Three-star prospect. Tallied 45 total tackles, including five for loss, and four quarterback hurries in 2025. Also ran track, posting 100-meter times of 11.81 and 11.92 while long jumping 19-7 his freshman year. Picked Arkansas over Arizona State, Cal, Colorado, Georgia, Houston, Kansas, Kansas State, LSU, Miami, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Penn State, TCU, Tennessee, USC, Vanderbilt, Washington State and others.
