Arkansas Football Recruiting: Meet All 2013 Commits

A new era of Arkansas football is beginning with Bret Bielema at the helm, and his first big impression with fans and the rest of the SEC will come on the recruiting trail.

Bielema and his staff faced a challenging, shortened recruiting window due to the timing of his hiring, but overall they've done a great job. The Razorbacks are poised to finish strong.

Arkansas' 2013 class features a lot of talent, and there's plenty to be excited about. Let's get to know the Razorbacks' 2013 recruiting class.

Note: Information via 247Sports, ESPN RecruitingNation or Scout.com unless otherwise noted. Star rankings via the 247Sports composite rankings.

Damon Mitchell

Height: 6'2''

Weight: 190 lbs.

Position: QB

Stars: 3-star

High School: Booker T. Washington High School (Fla.)

Commit Date: 2/6 NSD

Denver Kirkland

Height: 6'5''

Weight: 333 lbs.

Position: OG

Stars: 4-star

High School: Booker T. Washington High School (Fla.)

Senior Stats: N/A

Other Finalists: Ole Miss, South Florida, Florida State

Commit Date: NSD, 9:20 AM EST

 

Analysis

Arkansas was able to recently land an official visit from the 4-star offensive guard recruit, so that could have lead to the late commitment. Landing Kirkland is a marquee win for Bielema.

Alex Collins

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 204 lbs. 

Position: RB

Stars: 4-star

School: South Plantation High School (Fla.)

Senior Stats: 1,275 rushing yards, 14 touchdowns

Other Finalists: Miami

Commit Date: 2/4/13

 

Analysis

Alex Collins represents a huge recruiting win for the Razorbacks. His decision came down to Arkansas and Miami, and he ultimately decided to commit to the former. He has very good size at 5'11'', 204 pounds and he runs a 4.45 40 (247Sports).

Carroll Washington

Height: 6'0''

Weight: 175 lbs.

Position: CB

Star Ranking: 3-star

School: Edmondson-Westside High School (Md.), Hartnell College

Senior Stats: 25 tackles, 3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery

Other Finalists: Mississippi State, Texas Tech

Commit Date: 8/7/12, Signed: 12/19/12, Enrolled: 1/14/13

 

Analysis

Carroll Washington is the No. 2-ranked JUCO cornerback according to the 247Sports composite, so he's a big commitment for the Razorbacks. He has good size at 6'0", 175 pounds and should be a rotational player in the secondary right away. He'll benefit from being enrolled early in regard to the depth chart.

Myke Tavarres

Height: 6'2''

Weight: 220 lbs.

Position: OLB

Star Ranking: 3-star

School: College of the Siskiyous (Calif.)

2012 Stats: 82 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 2 interceptions

Other Finalists: Arizona, Boise State

Commit Date: 8/1/12, Signed: 12/19/12, Enrolled: 1/14/13

 

Analysis

Myke Tavarres is a talented JUCO linebacker recruit who should be able to work his way onto the field in a backup role, but he does have starter potential. He has great size at 6'2'', 220 pounds and runs a 4.60 40, according to 247Sports. Look for Tavarres to make an impact early for the Razorbacks.

Tiquention Coleman

Height: 5'10''

Weight: 200 lbs.

Position: S

Star Ranking: 3-star

School: Georgia Military College 

2012 Stats: 44 tackles, 4 interceptions

Other Finalists: Wisconsin

Commit Date: 12/12/12, Signed: 12/19/12, Enrolled: 1/14/13

 

Analysis

Coleman represents a huge recruiting win for Bielema and the Razorbacks. He's a former Wisconsin commitment, but the Razorbacks were able to get him to flip soon after an official visit. Coleman is a talented JUCO recruit from Georgia and should compete for time at one of the safety positions in his first year.

Johnathan McClure

Height: 6'4''

Weight: 310 lbs.

Position: OG

Star Ranking: 3-star

School: Butler Community College (Kan.)

2012 Stats: N/A

Other Finalists: N/A

Commit Date: 10/18/12, Signed: 12/19/12, Enrolled: 1/14/13

 

Analysis

Jonathan McClure has immense potential as an offensive guard at 6'4'', 310 pounds. He's ranked as the No. 4 JUCO guard recruit according to 247Sports, so he's a big recruit to have enrolled early for Arkansas. Look for McClure to take over for Alvin Bailey once he moves on.

Martrell Spaight

Height: 6'0''

Weight: 220 lbs.

Position: OLB

Star Ranking: 3-star

School: Coffeyville Community College (Kan.)

2012 Stats: 127 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks

Other Finalists: Kansas State

Commit Date: 12/19/12, Signed: 12/19/12

 

Analysis

Martrell Spaight has star potential coming out of junior college. He has good size at 6'0'', 220 pounds and he runs a 4.56 40 according to 247Sports. He's big enough to play physically against the run, but he'll also be good in space because of his speed. He should also be a great pass-rusher for the Razorbacks.

Spaight should be able to challenge for early playing time at linebacker.

Hunter Henry

Height: 6'6''

Weight: 235 lbs.

Position: TE

Star Ranking: 4-star

High School: Pulaski Academy (Ark.)

Senior Stats: 107 receptions, 1,449 yards, 15 touchdowns

Other Finalists: Alabama

Commit Date: 7/19/12, Signed: 2/6/13

 

Analysis

Hunter Henry is ranked as the No. 3 tight end in the 2013 class (247Sports Composite). He's big at 6'3'', 235 pounds, but he also has good speed. He runs a 4.80 40, according to 247Sports. Look for Henry to compete for the No. 2 spot behind Austin Tate and eventually take over as the starter.

Austin Allen

Height: 6'2''

Weight: 217 lbs.

Position: QB

Star Ranking: 4-star

High School: Fayetteville High School (Ark.)

Senior Stats: 3,593 yards, 29 touchdowns

Other Finalists: N/A

Commit Date: 5/21/12, Signed: 2/6/13

 

Analysis

Austin Allen is a talented quarterback recruit with a ton of potential. He's 6'2'', 217 pounds and is ranked as the No. 19 pro-style quarterback (per 247Sports) in the 2013 class. Allen will be a capable backup as a freshman, or he could take a redshirt to gain an extra year of eligibility.

Reeve Koehler

Height: 6'3''

Weight: 320 lbs.

Position: OG

Star Ranking: 3-star

High School: St. Louis School (Hawaii)

Senior Stats: N/A

Other Finalists: Hawaii, Tennessee, Kansas

Commit Date: 1/19/13

 

Analysis

Reeve Kohler is a huge recruit for Arkansas to land. He has elite size at 6'3'', 320 pounds, and he's ranked as the No. 18 offensive guard recruit in the 2013 class according to the 247Sports composite.

Kohler will compete for the starting job at guard when Alvin Bailey leaves. He'll have a great chance to win that spot.

Brooks Ellis

Height: 6'2''

Weight: 215 lbs.

Position: ILB

Star Ranking: 3-star

High School: Fayetteville High School (Ark.)

Senior Stats: 120 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 3 forced fumbles

Other Finalists: N/A

Commit Date: 5/21/12, Signed: 2/6/13

 

Analysis

Brooks Ellis represents a big in-state recruiting win for the Razorbacks. He has good size for an inside linebacker recruit at 6'2'', 215 pounds and is ranked as the No. 4 recruit from the state of Arkansas, according to the 247Sports composite.

Dan Skipper

Height: 6'10''

Weight: 292 lbs.

Position: OT

Star Ranking: 3-star

High School: Ralston Valley High School (Colo.)

Senior Stats: N/A

Other Finalists: Tennessee, Ole Miss, Ohio State, Michigan

Commit Date: 1/28/13, Signed: 2/6/13

 

Analysis

Landing Dan Skipper was huge for Bielema and the Razorbacks. He's only a 3-star offensive tackle recruit, but he has elite potential. He checks in at 6'10'', 292 pounds, so he obviously has great size. The Razorbacks were also able to land him over some very notable programs, so overall this was a big recruiting win.

Alex Brignoni

Height: 6'1''

Weight: 190 lbs.

Position: S

Star Ranking: 3-star

High School: Fayetteville High School (Ark.)

Senior Stats: 109 tackles, 1 sack, 5 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles

Other Finalists: N/A

Commit Date: 5/21/12

 

Analysis

Brignoni is a recruit with a lot of potential as a safety. He's 6'1'', 190 pounds, so he may want to put on a little bit more mass, but he'll stand out because of his speed. He runs a 4.47 40 according to 247Sports. He'll be a good special teams player right away for Arkansas.

Korliss Marshall

Height: 6'0''

Weight: 190 lbs.

Position: RB

Star Ranking: 3-star

High School: Osceola High School (Ark.)

Senior Stats: 1,711 rushing yards, 24 touchdowns

Other Finalists: Central Arkansas

Commit Date: 2/3/13, Signed: 2/6/13

 

Analysis

Korliss Marshall represents a huge in-state win for Arkansas. He's ranked as the No. 6 player in the state (via 247Sports) and he has excellent potential. Marshall checks in at 6'0'', 190 pounds and runs a very fast 4.34 40, according to 247Sports.

D.J. Dean

Height: 5'10''

Weight: 180 lbs.

Position: ATH

Star Ranking: 3-star

High School: Newton High School (Texas)

Senior Stats: 34 tackles, 4 interceptions; 1,014 rushing yards, 20 touchdowns

Other Finalists: Utah

Commit Date: 5/21/12, Signed: 2/6/13

 

Analysis

D.J. Dean was an incredibly productive athlete recruit at the high school level, and he can play both sides of the ball. With his amount of athleticism, he could really stand out in the defensive secondary for Arkansas.

Dean can play either safety or cornerback, so look for him to be an interesting option for Arkansas moving forward.

Ke'Tyrus Marks

Height: 6'2''

Weight: 285 lbs.

Position: DT

Star Ranking: 3-star

High School: Suncoast High School (Fla.)

Senior Stats: N/A

Other Finalists: N/A

Commit Date: 1/27/13, Signed: 2/6/13

 

Analysis

Ke'Tyrus Marks will add some big-time depth to the defensive line. He has good size at 6'2'', 285 pounds and should get reps at defensive tackle. Look for him to be a good rotational player behind Byran Jones.

Tevin Beanum

Height: 6'4''

Weight: 233 lbs.

Position: WDE

Star Ranking: 3-star

High School: Forrest City High School (Ark.)

Senior Stats: 76 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks

Other Finalists: N/A

Commit Date: 8/16/12, Signed: 2/6/13

 

Analysis

Beanum has great potential at 6'4'', 233 pounds. He's also ranked as the No. 8 recruit from Arkansas according to the 247Sports composite, so he's a big in-state recruiting win. He has very good speed, running a 4.65 40 (247Sports), so look for him to be a big special teams player right away. He'll also be an important sub at defensive end, and could be very good in time.

Sam Irwin-Hill

Height: 6'3''

Weight: 210 lbs.

Position: P

Star Ranking: 2-star

School: City College of San Francisco

2012 Stats: 46.1 yards per punt, 77-yard long punt

Other Finalists: N/A

Commit Date: 1/19/13

 

Analysis

Irwin-Hill should be the starting punter for the Razorbacks in 2013. He's ranked as the No. 2 JUCO punter in the 2013 class (per 247Sports), so he's a big commitment for Arkansas. He'll be a very important special teams player.

De'Andre Coley

Height: 6'1''

Weight: 185 lbs.

Position: S

Star Ranking: 3-star

School: Miami Northwestern High School (Fla.)

Senior Stats: N/A

Other Finalists: N/A

Commit Date: 1/27/13, Signed: 2/6/13

 

Analysis

De'Andre Coley is a player to keep an eye on from this 2013 class. He has great size for a safety at 6'1'', and he runs a 4.50 40 according to 247Sports. He could be a very athletic option in the secondary, and he has a ton of potential.

Denzell Evans

Height: 6'0''

Weight: 205 lbs.

Position: RB

Star Ranking: 3-star

School: Bellaire High School (Texas)

Senior Stats: 825 rushing yards, 7 touchdowns

Other Finalists: Houston

Commit Date: 2/3/13

 

Analysis

Denzell Evans is a big late-recruiting-cycle pickup for the Razorbacks. He has very good size for a running back at 6'0'', 205 pounds, and he's a notable out-of-state recruiting win for Arkansas. He's also a former Houston commitment, so overall, landing him is a nice win for Bielema.

Melvinson Hartfield

Height: 5'11''

Weight: 185 lbs.

Position: CB

Stars: 3-star

High School: South Oak Cliff High (Texas)

Senior Stats: 12 receptions, 324 yards, 4 touchdowns

Other Finalists: Kansas State

Commit Date: 2/3/13

 

Analysis

Melvin Hartfield represents a big recruiting flip for Arkansas, as the Razorbacks were able flip him away from Kansas State. He's a big recruit from the state of Texas, and he can play corner or wideout. Hartfield is ranked at cornerback, so look for him get reps in the secondary.

Drew Morgan

Height: 6'0''

Weight: 182 lbs.

Position: ATH/S

Star Ranking: 2-star

School: Greenwood High School (Ark.)

Senior Stats: 765 rushing yards, 19 touchdowns; 1,122 receptions, 14 touchdowns; 72 tackles

Other Finalists: Arkansas State

Commit Date: 12/3/12, Signed: 2/6/13

 

Analysis

Drew Morgan was very productive at the high school level, and that's obvious by looking at his senior stats. He's only a 2-star, but he could end up being a very important player from this class. He's 6'0'', 182 pounds and runs a 4.40 40 according to 247Sports. He should end up repping at safety at the college level.