FAYETTEVILLE — One of Arkansas’ 2019 commitments is no longer on the list.
Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove defensive end Dante Walker (6-3, 240) decommitted from the Razorbacks on Tuesday, one day after his chief Arkansas recruiter John Scott Jr. announced he was leaving for South Carolina.
Walker committed to the Razorbacks in October after taking an official visit, but was not allowed to sign during the Dec. 19-21 early period because of questions regarding his academic eligibility.
“Not really pushing JUCO,” Walker tweeted on Tuesday. “But watch this … new chapter is just beginning.”
Arkansas has seven other defensive end signees or commitments in its 2019 class.
The Razorbacks have 21 signees, six commitments and graduate transfer quarterback Ben Hicks in its 2019 recruiting class, which is ranked 18th nationally by Rivals.
The Razorbacks are expected to land 29 signees in the class with this development, meaning Arkansas could add one or both linebacker recruits in Lakia Henry (6-1, 230) of Dodge City (Kan.) Community College and Christopher Russell (6-1, 228), who is taking an official visit to Arkansas this weekend, or another prospect to the haul.
Henry, a four-star prospect per 24/7 composite rankings who was once committed to Tennessee, is considering Arkansas, Florida State and Texas while three-star Russell has visited Texas A&M and will visit Arkansas and Tennessee before making his decision.
The situation is fluid with three other Arkansas pledges in tailback A'Montae Spivey of Phenix City (Ala.) Central, who is visiting Ole Miss this weekend, while Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Blackman Adonis Otey is set to visit USC next weekend and the status of defensive back Myles Brooks, who has not visited Arkansas officially, seems to be uncertain.
Walker, a three-star prospect per the 24/7 composite rankings, is expected to take an official visit to Maryland on the final weekend before the Feb. 6 late national signing date with Middle Tennessee State and North Carolina State among schools he is also considering.
Walker had early offers from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi State, North Carolina and others, but those schools reportedly backed off due to grade questions.