Arkansas special teams coordinator Scott Fountain has added another kicker to compete to replace career field-goal percentage record holder Cam Little.
Little declared for the NFL Draft on Dec. 1 after making 53 of 64 field-goal attempts in three seasons. The 82.8% rate is an Arkansas record.
Charlie von der Meden, 6-0 and 165 pounds, of Tomball, Texas, made public his commitment to the Hogs on Tuesday. He will join the Razorbacks as a preferred walk-on for the first semester of summer school.
He visited Fayetteville on Jan. 27 and was ultimately won over by Fountain and the environment at Arkansas.
“When I was up for my visit I could tell the players were being taken care of on and off the field,” von der Meden said. “My goal in recruiting was to play for a school with a rich tradition and history of football. Arkansas gives me that plus more. Coach Fountain has a history of producing NFL kickers and I can’t wait to get on campus in May and compete.”
Kohl’s Kicking rates von der Meden as a 5-star prospect and the No. 12 kicker in the nation for the 2024 class. He picked the Razorbacks over a scholarship offer from Air Force and other preferred walk-on opportunities from Missouri and Kentucky.
Von der Meden made 4 of 6 field goals as a senior while having a long of 47 yards. He made 34 of 35 extra points. He had 32 touchbacks on 44 kickoffs and also punted 13 times for a 37.2-yard average with along of 62 yards.
He said his decision came down to two schools.
“Ultimately the other school I was considering was Kentucky,” von der Meden said.
The Hogs signed Hawaii transfer kicker Matthew Shipley in December. On3.com rates Shipley as the No. 5 kicker in the NCAA transfer portal.