FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas has some 15-18 spots available for scholarships in its 2018 class per head coach Bret Bielema, but already has a third of the class on board.
Three commitments in as many days raised the total of pledges to seven with Charleston safety-wideout Sean Michael Flanagan (6-1, 180), Reserve, La., Riverside Academy tailback Jeremy Gibson (5-11, 190, 4.4) and Rockwell, Texas, Rockwell-Heath cornerback Tanner McAlister (6-1, 180) pledging commits from Saturday to Monday.
That gives Arkansas two cornerbacks, a linebacker, a quarterback, a tight end, a safety and a tailback in the fold with five of those prospects either winning or playing in state title games last season.
“We want kids that come from winning programs, who know what it takes to get it done late in games and who will sacrifice to get there,” Bielema said recently.
Flanagan became the fourth 2018 in-state prospect that Arkansas has offered this recruiting cycle along with Greenwood quarterback and Razorback commit Connor Noland (6-2, 180) as well as the uncommitted duo of Earle quarterback Gerry Bohanon (6-4, 215) and Ashdown defensive back LaDarius Bishop (6-1, 200).
Flanagan has put up big numbers (131 catches, 2,032 yards, 28 touchdowns) as a wideout for Charleston the past two years, but Arkansas also likes his ability at safety. That's a defensive position in which the Razorbacks are beginning to acquire talent.
Flanagan, who had 46 tackles and 4 interceptions as a junior, has shown the ability to lock down receivers and also provides a prospect who loves contact and arrives at the ball carrier with violent intentions.
Arkansas has a highly-tout incoming freshmen at safety in former Ashdown star Montaric Brown, the state’s top 2017 prospect who chose Arkansas over Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma State and a host of others.
Bishop is set to announce his decision soon and could fortify the talent in the secondary, which also includes another pledge in Desoto, Texas, cornerback Byron Hanspard, Jr., (6-1, 188, 4.4).
The Razorbacks have lost a pair of running backs since spring drills finished with Rawleigh Williams’ injury leading him to retire and Juan Day deciding to transfer.
So it was important to get another tailback committed early and Gibson answered the call.
The Louisiana product was offered in March and is another get for Razorback assistant Michael Smith, who is responsible for 13 signees from that state since 2014.
Gibson is a speed back, but also possesses a power element that makes up the combo that Bielema loves to have in his backs.
He rushed for 1,444 yards and 21 touchdowns as a junior and has stated that his goals as a senior are to get 2,000 yards, 25 touchdowns and another state title.
Gibson could be the only running back in this class depending on how the scholarships shake out, but Arkansas has several players among the seven that have the ability and versatility to play on both sides of the ball.
He was a Class 2A All-State selection and the District 12-2A offensive MVP following his junior year and chose Arkansas over Purdue, South Alabama, Texas Tech, Troy and UAB,.
Gibson led Riverside Academy to the Division III state championship as a junior.
McAlister, who is one of three Texas prospects in the class, is a physical defensive back who debated on whether he wanted to play in the Big 12 or the SEC.
He chose Arkansas over Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, TCU and Kansas.
McAlister had 55 tackles, 6 TFL, 1 interception, 3 fumbles caused, 2 fumbles recovered while also amassing 650 yards rushing with 8 touchdowns last season.
The Razorbacks are clearly loading up on taller defensive backs to match the wave of big, tall SEC wide receivers.
The other commits so far in the class are Lucas, Texas, Lovejoy linebacker Bumper Pool (6-3, 220) and Cartersville, Ill., tight end Luke Ford (6-7, 250).
Arkansas will look to finish its class with several offensive and defensive linemen with the likelihood of some movement after the Trench Hog Camp featuring prospects at those positions on July 18.