FAYETTEVILLE — Forward Sarah Watkins of Germantown, Tenn., has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Arkansas, Coach Tom Collen announced Thursday.

Watkins, 6-3, has been rated among the nation’s top 50 players and gives Arkansas a pair of top-flight post players in the 2009 recruiting class. California post player Darshea Burnside, 6-3, signed with the Razorbacks last week.

“Our fans are going to love Sarah Watkins,” Collen said. “She’s tough, physical, smart and loves to compete.”

Watkins is rated among the top 100 players by almost every notable girls basketball recruiting service. ESPN listed her as the No. 42 recruit in the country and the No. 7 forward.

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“She can play the post or the power forward positions due to her solid three-point range and passing skills,” Collen said.

Watkins led Houston High to the 8-AAA regional championship as a junior, averaging 23 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks a game. She also broke the school’s single-game scoring record with 43 points against rival Germantown.

“She is the most underrated player in the country in the 2009 class,” Collen said. “I had more top-10 coaches compliment me this summer for her verbal commitment to Arkansas than any kid I’ve signed in 25 years of coaching.”

Watkins was named MVP of the regional tournament last season and earned all-metro honors in Memphis. She also was selected to participate in the Nike Skills Academy and adidas Top Ten camps.

Watkins and Burnside give Arkansas a strong start to the 2009 recruiting season. SLAM magazine ranks Watkins as its No. 60 prospect and Burnside at No. 82.

“We really like this fall signing class,” Collen said. “They are all big, strong, physical players that will allow us to compete with other Top 25 programs in the SEC.

“ We still have one scholarship open in the spring and continue to recruit a player that could be impactful, regardless of position.”