Each recruiting cycle, an Arkansas football commitment helps recruit other top prospects join him.
This year, defensive end Kavion Henderson is actively recruiting others to Fayetteville.
Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman and his coaching staff headline some of the reasons why Henderson said he believes others should be attracted to Arkansas.
“The reason I’m recruiting guys is because I want to play with great players,” Henderson said. “I think Arkansas is the place for everyone to be. A lot of people don’t know because they haven’t taken the time to visit the place, but we have one of the best coaching staffs.
“Coach P has put together a great coaching staff, so I just encourage guys to come to Arkansas if they want to play with other great people and be great and become the next great program.”
Henderson, 6-3, 238 pounds, of Leeds, Ala., had narrowed his list of more than 40 scholarship offers to Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma and Auburn before publicly choosing the Razorbacks on Nov. 6.
He became the first commitment in Pittman’s 2024 class.
Henderson also cited his relationships with Arkansas defensive line coach Deke Adams, assistant defensive line coach Keith Jones and special teams coordinator Scott Fountain when he announced his pledge.
Consensus 4-star athlete prospect Noreel White, 6-1, 170, of Ocean Springs (Miss.) St. Martin, and 3-star defensive lineman Dion Stutts, 6-3, 270, of Memphis University School, joined Henderson by committing to Arkansas this month. They also joined Henderson in recruiting others to Fayetteville.
Stutts said he is working on class of 2024 4-star athlete Juju Pope of Batesville (Miss.) South Panloa, to be a Razorback, and White said he is recruiting several of his 7-on-7 teammates.
Henderson explained what he and other recruits discuss.
“They ask me the reason why I committed,” Henderson said. “‘Is Coach Pitt really a down-to-earth guy,’ and stuff like that, and they ask questions about NIL.”
Some recruits Henderson is pursuing include 4-star quarterbacks Air Noland, 6-3, 192, of Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes, and KJ Jackson, 6-3, 210, of Montgomery (Ala.) St. James, and 4-star tight end Kylan Fox, 6-5, 220, of Loganville (Ga.) Grayson.
“I feel like we’re almost coaches, too, because how we have to recruit these other people to commit,” Henderson said. “I’m trying to fill both sides of the ball.”
Pittman has added defensive coordinator Travis Williams, co-defensive coordinator Marcus Woodson, secondary coach Deron Wilson and offensive coordinator Dan Enos and tight ends coach Morgan Turner to his staff.
Henderson talks up the new additions to the staff to recruits.
“I just tell them come be a Hog,” said Henderson, who noted that he plans to officially visit the Razorbacks in June. “It’s a great atmosphere. Everyone knows it when they visit, especially with the new staff with Coach T-Will and those guys.”
Henderson is an ESPN 4-star prospect, the No. 12 defensive end and No. 51 overall recruit in the nation in the 2024 class.
Arkansas’ recruiting class is currently ranked No. 15 nationally, according to On3.com. Henderson said he is confident more commitments are coming.
“I think April will be a big month for us,” Henderson said. “Tell the Hog fans to stay tuned.”