Highly regarded defensive lineman Taurean Carter has committed to Arkansas and will join his teammate and Hog defensive tackle pledge Enoch Jackson Jr. in Fayetteville.
Carter (6-3, 265 pounds) of Mansfield (Texas) Legacy, narrowed his list of scholarship offers to Arkansas, Wisconsin and Michigan State. He also had offers from Texas, Florida, TCU, Oklahoma State, Colorado, Minnesota and others.
Jackson committed to the Razorbacks in early August. By joining the Arkansas program, Carter believes he can go beyond the college level.
“Great opportunity to be great at the next level,” Carter said. “Great program. On the big stage in the SEC against big-time teams will help me get to next level. Love the coaching staff.”
An ESPN 3-star prospect and the No. 52 defensive tackle in the nation, Carter visited Fayetteville in February and for the North Texas game on Sept. 15 before making an official visit for the Alabama game on Oct. 6.
"The coaches treat us like family," Carter said after the visit for the Alabama game. "They take care of us and watch out for us. They actually need us, instead of just wanting us. That's a big part of it, that they need us. I want to feel like family. I want to feel like myself.”
Carter, who recorded 63 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 1 quarterback hurry and a forced fumble as a junior, is the eighth defensive lineman committed to the Hogs.
National recruiting analyst Tom Lemming of CBS Sports Network rates Carter a 3-star-plus prospect.
“He certainly shows big-time ability,” Lemming said. “He shows an excellent burst and instincts. He has enough speed to make downfield tackles and his athleticism will take him to the next level.”
The Hogs hope are hoping to land another Carter teammate in highly recruited safety Jalen Catalon.
Catalon (5-10, 180 pounds) of Mansfield Legacy narrowed his list to Arkansas, Texas, TCU and Oklahoma. ESPN rates him a 4-star recruit, the No. 13 safety and the No. 222 overall prospect in the nation for the 2019 class.
Cornerbacks coach Mark Smith is the lead recruiter of the Legacy trio. Defensive tackles coach John Scott Jr. also recruited Carter and Jackson while safeties coach Ron Cooper is assisting in the recruitment of Catalon.
Legacy Coach Chris Melson thinks highly of Coach Chad Morris and staff.
“I think Chad and his staff are some of the best recruiters in the country and you can see the type of class they have put together already,” Melson said. “They are real people, they care about kids, they are honest and they are the kind of coaches that parents want their kids to play for and spend four or five years with because they trust them. Plus they are just great coaches.
“TC loves the coaching staff and I know why.”
Carter is the Razorbacks' seventh commitment from Texas and No. 23 overall for the 2019 class.