Outside linebacker and edge rusher Brad Spence has committed to Arkansas, becoming the program's 11th pledge since June 19.
He made an official visit to Fayetteville on June 10-12.
“It’s a big moment for me and my family, man. It’s a blessing,” Spence said during an Instagram Live video with VYPE Houston. “I want to thank the people that supported me, and my mom. I started shedding tears before this.
“It’s stuff you dream of. Everyone doesn’t get (this opportunity), but it’s a blessing to have it. From where I’m from, it’s a blessing to get it.”
Spence, 6-3, 215 pounds, of Houston Klein Forest, narrowed his list of more than 30 scholarship offers to 10 schools – Arkansas, Texas, Arizona State, California, Duke, Missouri, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Utah, Wisconsin – on May 27. He trimmed the list to the Razorbacks, Texas and Cal last Friday.
More from WholeHogSports: Arkansas' 2023 football commitment list
Arkansas' defensive scheme, which caters to linebackers, and his bond with Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman helped his decision.
“Pittman was a good guy and knew what he was talking about,” Spence said. “I loved what he was saying. Arkansas, I saw something in them. We’re creating something. The guys that are committing with me, I saw something in them. We’re creating something there.
“Pittman, man, he approached me nice. He’s a guy that gets you. I’ll love playing for Pittman.”
He recorded 72 tackles, 11 for lost yardage, 1.5 sacks, 6 pass breakups and 1 recovered fumble as a junior. Spence was a District 15-6A first-team selection.
A consensus 3-star prospect, he also made an official visit to Cal.
“It’s big ball, so you’ve got to go in there meaning some business,” Spence said of choosing Arkansas. “Everybody (in the SEC) is like twice your size, so I know what I signed up for.”
Spence’s father, Armand, played football at Oklahoma in the late 1990s.
“I just watched whoever had the ball when I was growing up,” Spence said. “As I learned more about football, I got more into the defensive side. (My dad) put me on to the defensive side, and I just fell in love with it.”
Spence added he felt consistent love from Razorbacks fans throughout his recruitment.
“It was crazy, man,” he said. “The Arkansas Razorbacks fans were crazy. I love them, man.”
Spence is Arkansas' 22nd commitment in the 2023 class.