Recruiting Roundup: Portal helps football and basketball, '25 QB commits
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Each week, HawgBeat.com provides a completely free update of everything going on in the recruiting world for the Arkansas Razorbacks.
The Roundup
Maryland defensive tackle transfer commits to Arkansas
The transfer portal is back open for a 15-day period until April 30, and the Hogs on Wednesday picked up some help on the defensive line with the addition of Maryland transfer Anthony "Tank" Booker Jr.
Booker made the announcement on his Twitter page.
A native of Cincinnati, Booker has two years of eligibility remaining at Arkansas. He played in just three games his first season, 10 games his second and 12 last season. His best year was in 2022, when he tallied 25 tackles, four of those for loss and two sacks. He also deflected one pass and forced two fumbles.
In 2022, Booker's Pro Football Focus defensive grade of 77.1 was the second best of any Maryland defender. He had a 78.3 rush defense grade and a 66.1 pass rush grade across 234 total snaps.
Booker visited Arkansas on March 11 and chose the Razorbacks over Ohio State, South Carolina and Purdue. He is the 12th scholarship transfer to commit to the Razorbacks following the 2022 season.
Arkansas gets first pledge of 2025 class, in-state QB commits
While the 2024 class continues to shape up, Arkansas picked up its first commitment in the class of 2025 as Central Arkansas Christian quarterback Grayson Wilson announced his commitment on Saturday.
While still unranked according to Rivals, Wilson holds offers from Arkansas, Pittsburgh, Illinois and Central Arkansas. He made the commitment via his Twitter account after the Razorbacks' Red-White scrimmage.
Wilson was offered by the Arkansas coaching staff on March 4 during a visit to one of Arkansas' Prospect Days, and made more trips to Fayetteville afterward. He threw for 1,737 yards and 19 touchdowns last season.
Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 185 pounds, Wilson runs a 4.62-second 40-yard-dash, according to his Twitter profile. While the speed isn't too shabby for a quarterback, he said in January his pocket-passing game is where he's at his best.
"I think I'm a good pocket passer," Wilson said. "I think I can throw it well on the run. I can escape the pocket whenever I need to. I think I have good leadership and control of the team. I have a strong arm. In my opinion, I have good accuracy and I'm a good leader."
Wilson is a multi-sport athlete for Central Arkansas Christian, playing baseball and basketball as well. He is the first commitment for Arkansas in the 2025 cycle.
Temple transfer Khalif Battle commits to Arkansas
Following a loss to UCONN in the Sweet 16 last season, Arkansas head coach Eric Musselman is back in the portal looking to better his team. He got good news on Wednesday of last week when Temple transfer Khalif Battle announced he is joining the Razorback program.
Last season for Temple, Battle averaged 17.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. He shot 41.0% from the field and 35.0% from three in his third season with Temple.
Arkansas lands Cincinnati transfer Jeremiah Davenport
In addition to Khalif Battle, the Hardwood Hogs also picked up Cincinnati transfer Jeremiah Davenport through the transfer portal on Thursday.
Davenport became the fourth transfer in the class and he made the announcement on Twitter.
Last season, Davenport averaged 9.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game in 2022-23. He shot 35.1% from the field, 33.0% from three and 83.0% from the free throw line as a senior for Cincinnati.
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Davenport appeared in all 36 games, started the first 15 and saw a 5.7% increase in three-point shooting after taking on sixth-man role beginning Jan. 5 at Wichita State.
Davenport, who entered the portal on April 6, scored in double-figured 13 times last season, which included a season-high 22 points and six made threes during the previously mentioned win over Wichita State.
Arkansas offers North Texas tight end transfer
During the 2023 recruiting cycle, Arkansas brought in two four-star tight ends in Luke Hasz and Shamar Easter, but are still in need of experience at the position with the loss of starter Trey Knox to the transfer portal at the end of the 2022 season.
On Saturday, the Hogs offered North Texas tight end transfer Var'Keyes Gumms. A First Team All-CUSA selection last season, Gumms recorded 34 receptions in 14 games played, piling up 458 receiving yards to go along with five touchdown catches.
Gumms was a 5.5 three-star defensive end recruit in the 2021 class according to Rivals. He held offers from Texas, LSU, Houston and others in addition to North Texas. He will have three seasons of eligibility remaining at his next stop.
Plenty of high school recruits to see Arkansas during Red-White game
Spring practices are in the books for the Arkansas football team, as the Hogs held their annual Red-White game inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Saturday.
On hand to watch the game, along with festivities outside the stadium and the Razorback baseball series against Tennessee on Saturday night, were well over 20 recruits in the 2024, 2025 and 2026 classes.
Three of Arkansas' best in-state prospects were on hand, as well as athletes from as far away as San Diego, California.
To see what recruits made the trek to Fayetteville, check out The Trough, HawgBeat's premium message board.