Arkansas added a five-star deep snapper to its 2022 commitment list Tuesday and is likely to add a punter to the class in the future.
One candidate for that scholarship would be Mobile (Ala.) Saraland five-star senior punter Jackson Smith (6-5, 225), a Wilson first-team preseason All-American.
Smith won the punting competition and was named the top overall underclassman Sunday during Arkansas' specialists camp.
“It was great,” Smith said. “A lot of exposure and great competition. Loved having that competition. There was a little wind, but I overcame it and had a pretty decent day. I just punted and wanted to focus on that.”
Smith has preferred walk-on offers from Clemson and Southern Miss and interest from Arkansas, Mississippi State and Missouri.
He’s a big fan of Razorbacks special teams coordinator Scott Fountain, who ran Sunday’s camp.
“He is awesome,” Smith said. “He is down there where I am from. He is from Brewton, Ala., and I am from Mobile, which is not too far away. I love him. He is great.”
Smith, who averaged 40.3 yards per punt and a hang time of 4.3 seconds as a junior, has boosted that to a consistent 5.0 seconds this summer.
That has pushed him into being a Kohl’s Kicking 5-star selection, which is defined as a prospect who is considered a FBS Power 5 freshman year starter and scholarship pick.
“Smith hit multiple 5.0-second hang times and had everyone's eyes on him,” a Kohl’s Kicking scouting report noted after a showcase camp in May. “Smith is a 6-5 player with huge upside as a punter. As his hands and technique continue to develop he will be a special college player.
"Smith has D-I scholarship talent as a punter.”
Smith, who has a 4.0 grade point average and a 23 on his ACT, has hit camps at Clemson, Southern Miss, South Alabama and Arkansas this summer.