Arkansas class gets big with 2 signing day commitments

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas football fans were a little worried about the lack of defensive linemen in the 2021 signing class, but Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman had a couple of aces up his sleeve.

Atlanta Tri-Cities High School star Cameron Ball (6-5, 300 pounds) and Jones (Miss.) College standout Jalen Williams (6-3, 310) both went public with their commitments to Arkansas on Wednesday. They joined Vian, Okla., defensive tackle Solomon Wright (6-1, 280) in the class.

The additions of Ball and Williams are not likely to be the last along the defensive line.

“Now we still have some scholarships available and I think we still need at least one more D-lineman, preferably maybe a pass-rushing defensive end," Pittman said. "And at least one more offensive lineman."

Pittman said he would like to add two players to each side of the ball in the late signing period in February. The Razorbacks have one scholarship available in this class and can sign three more who would count toward the class of 2022.

“But as of right now, the thoughts are going big and going on both sides of the ball," Pittman said, "but obviously we would take the positions of need if somebody gets in the transfer portal that we think could help us."

Pittman said the Razorbacks have known "for quite awhile" about the commitments of Ball and Williams.

“I think it is big and they are big physically,” Pittman said.

Williams is ESPN’s top-rated junior college defensive tackle and its sixth-best overall JUCO prospect.

“Jalen Williams, we've been on him for a long time,” Pittman said. “He was a high school qualifier and we tried to get him last year to come in and help us. He wanted to wait and see his other options and different things — play there at the junior college and all that stuff. We were able to get him and he's over 300 pounds.”

Ball chose Arkansas over Georgia Tech, Tennessee, Arizona State, Illinois, Michigan State, Mississippi State and others.

“We’ve recruited him it seems like forever,” Pitman said. “There’s a guy that I think a lot of teams looked at both ways, offensive or defensive line, but he wants to play D-line.

“Our needs are both sides, but we need some young, big defensive linemen and he was able to fit that bill. We were very fortunate to be able to get him.”

Pittman said Wright's play stands out on tape.

“He has great explosiveness and can really run," Pittman said. "He's not quite as tall as your typical D-lineman would be in the SEC, but he's also much quicker."

Wright is the son of former Oklahoma State linebacker Kenyatta Wright.

“I knew his daddy," Pittman said. "You know his dad, Kenyatta, played there at Oklahoma State and he's a wonderful guy. We went after him hard and I was really happy we were able to sign him.”

Also fortifying the front seven were the signings of linebackers in Chris Paul (6-1, 235) from Cordale (Ga.) Crisp County and Jonesboro’s Marco Avant (6-3, 212).

“I like Marco,” Pittman said. “He transferred schools (from Forrest City) an ended up over at Jonesboro, and I think had a lot of improvement. I think a lot of it was he was a senior and had another year. Jonesboro, with (coach) Randy (Coleman), has a great program over there. He is long and I think he is going to be a big guy. He can run and I think he is really going to to develop into a fine player.”

Pittman sees Paul as a legitimate middle linebacker.

"Pooh Paul out of Georgia, he's a Mike, to me,” Pitttman said. "He's big, I think he's about 250. He's a big linebacker, one that can handle the 'A' gaps. We needed one of those guys, because we're not real big at linebacker. So we wanted to go out there and get him. We were very fortunate there.”

Pittman would like to add a pass rusher who can play either defensive end or linebacker.

“I'm not telling you that one of our four remaining scholarships wouldn't be for a linebacker, as well, but it might be one of those stand-up or defensive end-type rushers, combination guys,” Pittman said. “If you can stand up on the edge, you certainly can go into the middle. I know they're two different positions, but body type is pretty much identical.”


Arkansas also signed five defensive backs, including Penn State cornerback/safety transfer Trent Gordon (5-11, 188).

“We signed him to play corner,” Pittman said. “He went into the portal and (cornerbacks coach Sam Carter) evaluated him, then (defensive coordinator Barry Odom) did, then I did. Just a wonderful kid. He’s from Texas, so it’ll allow him to get back closer to home, play in the SEC. We’re just really happy we got him, but we want to play him at corner.”