The 27 Arkansas expected Tuesday to sign indeed signed letters of intent with coach Houston Nutt’s Razorbacks at Wednesday’s outset of the national signing period.

Eventually, only 25 can be added to the scholarship roster, but Nutt said there are still three or four are still working to meet academic requirements and that some could be placed in junior college or prep school.

In the meantime, he had good things to say about all 27. Alphabetically, they include:

• Defensive end Damario Ambrose of Mobile, Ala.

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• Tailback Brandon Barnett of Texarkana, transferring as a sophomore via Butler County (Kan. ) Community College

• Tight end Jake Bequette, Little Rock Catholic

• Linebacker Freddy Burton, Morrilton

• Defensive end Adrian Campbell, Richardson, Texas

• Quarterback Joe Chaisson, Beaumont, Texas

• Offensive lineman Grant Cook, Jonesboro

• Offensive lineman Kareem Crowell, Tallahassee, Fla., via Hargrave (Va. ) Military Academy

• Linebacker Tim Dial, Jenks, Okla.

• Quarterback Nathan Dick, Allen, Texas

• Strong safety Jerry Franklin, Marion

• Running back Juwan Franklin, Dunnellon, Fla.

• Tight end / tackle Grant Freeman, Paris

• Cornerback Greg Gatson, Germantown, Tenn.

• Offensive lineman Wade Grayson, Harrison

• Safety Bret Harris, Irving, Texas

• Tailback Michael Harris, Tulsa

• Defensive tackle Patrick Jones, Hampton, Ga.

• Defensive tackle Brandon Lampkin, Tucker, Ga.

• Strong safety Walner Leandre, Tampa, Fla.

• Linebacker Jermaine Love, Garland, Texas

• Cornerback Isaac Madison, Dallas

• Center Seth Oxner, Monticello

• Deep snapper Rhett Richardson, Rockwall, Texas

• Placekicker Alex Tejada, Springdale

• Wide receiver Crosby Tuck, Shiloh Christian

• H-back D. J. Williams, Central Arkansas Christian

Nutt said Arkansas signed three high quality tailbacks in Michael Harris, Barnett and Juwan Franklin.

Signing all three amazes him, Nutt said, considering the Razorbacks return not only Felix Jones, but junior Darren McFadden, the All-American Doak Walker Award winner as the nation’s best running back and the national runnerup in the Heisman balloting to Ohio State Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Troy Smith.

“ With Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, ” Nutt said since the two starred as true freshmen in 2005, “ it’s been hard to sign running backs. But these three guys weren’t scared. They are differencemakers. ”

The early January move of first-year Arkansas offensive coordinator and former Springdale high school head coach Gus Malzahn to Tulsa as offensive coordinator, and the decisions of receiver Damian Williams and quarterback Mitch Mustain to leave the team created a firestorm of publicity presumed to cast a pall on Razorback recruiting.

“ We had 18 committed, ” Nutt said, “ when there was a little bit of negativity that went out. And I’m happy to say of those 18, only one, Chavis Williams, slipped off to Alabama. The other 17 stayed very firm and so committed to being an Arkansas Razorback and I want to thank them. ”

A defensive end from Dora, Ala., Williams changed his commitment just last weekend when offered a scholarship by new Alabama coach Nick Saban.

Nutt said defensive end Damario Ambrose of Mobile, Ala., also received a late Alabama offer but signed with Arkansas.

He also stressed that two from Springdale, placekicker Alex Tejada of Springdale High, and wide receiver Crosby Tuck of Shiloh Christian, held their commitments and signed with Arkansas.

“ He’s probably the No. 1 example, ” Nutt said of Tejada. “ To be able to be right in the backyard of it and not even be fazed. Crosby Tuck’s another one that easily could have been affected and he stayed very strong, and I’m very proud of that. ”

Nutt said Malzahn’s absence hurt, since he was recruiting them, with touted in-state prospects Lee Ziemba, an offensive lineman from Rogers, and Fort Smith Northside quarterback Kodi Burns. Both players signed with Auburn, but Nutt acknowledged at no time did they ever commit to Arkansas, anyway.

Regarding filling needs, Nutt said he’s pleased, down to one scholarship quarterback in junior Casey Dick, to have added Nathan Dick, Casey’s taller and reportedly stronger-armed younger brother from Allen, Texas, and scrambler Joe Chaisson from Beaumont, Texas.

“ Offensive and defensive lines are critical, ” Nutt said, citing the Hogs signed 10 linemen “ who are not only big but can move. ”

Safeties and cornerbacks are possible “ play right away” positions with starting corners Chris Houston (declared a year early for the NFL draft ) and 2006 senior Darius Vinnett departed and starting strong safety Randy Kelly graduated and starting free safety Michael Grant coming off major knee surgery that curtailed his 2006 season.

Arkansas signed two corners and three safeties.

“ The safeties and corners, ” Nutt said, “ they have got to come in ready to play. I wish we had a couple of more corners, but we are really proud of the ones we did get. ”

Tejada might be THE most important member of this class.

Placekicking woes have so bedeviled the Hogs that Nutt asked for and received applause from fans attending the press conference as he announced he signed a kicker.