Strong or Soft: Status of Arkansas' 2020 Commits
Arkansas is ahead of where they were last cycle for this 2020 class in terms of commits but just how strong are the "commitments" of their six #diamondgangxx members?
Other schools are not backing off Arkansas's commits and that's what happens when you're recruiting some of the top prospects in the nation. With seven months to go until the early signing period, how hard will it be for Chad Morris to hold on to his guys?
COMMITMENT STATUS: Strong
When Arkansas got Ty'Kieast Crawford to announce his commitment half a month ago, it was the soon-to-be-4-star's second commitment. He was originally pledged to the Baylor Bears but after months of recruiting him, Jeff Traylor and Dustin Fry convince Crawford Fayetteville is the place for him.
Crawford visited Alabama before his Arkansas commitment and came away not that impressed, but also went to visit LSU after his announcement. Taking more visits after a commitment is usually a bad sign but Crawford committed to Arkansas because of his relationship with the coaches and the East Texas offensive lineman said coming to Fayetteville is like leaving home to come right back home. Unless Arkansas's performance on the field this season is worse than most expect, I don't see Crawford going anywhere.
COMMITMENT STATUS: Strong
Any in-state player who commits early is usually a lock for the Hogs and I don't see that changing with DE/OLB Jashaud Stewart. He recently picked up a new offer from Oklahoma State but his recruitment has been relatively quiet since his commitment in March.
COMMITMENT STATUS: Soft
If there's anyone to worry about a lot in this class, it's Georgia wide receiver Ze'Vian Capers. He was the first one on board in diamondgangxx but he could easily be the first one off. He chose Arkansas over other programs recruiting him hard like Georgia Tech and South Carolina but he took an official visit to S.C. just last weekend. He told Rivals reporters that while he is still committed to Arkansas, he's exploring his options still and his "final" decision will be on signing day.
Capers' soft commitment has wide receivers coach Justin Stepp recruiting him like he's not committed, which on one hand takes effort away from other prospects he's trying to get on board, but on the other hand, you want to keep a player like Capers committed so whatever it takes to do that should be done.
COMMITMENT STATUS: Strong
Speedy Westlake wide receiver Mason Mangum committed to Arkansas almost a month ago and given the haste with which he made his decision, I believe he's a solid commit. He recently picked up an offer from Vanderbilt but it's going to take a lot more to sway this prospect away from Arkansas.
COMMITMENT STATUS: Strong
Tight end Allen Horace is one of Arkansas's most recent commits and he's solid at the moment. In his commitment announcement, Horace said he "loves" the coaches and that's usually a bond that is very, very hard for other programs to break. Add on top of that that Arkansas is showing great tight end usage, I think Horace is definitely a signee.
COMMITMENT STATUS: Soft
Like Capers, Edna Karr cornerback Jamie "Greedy" Vance wants to use all his official visits. Auburn and Louisville offered days after the three-star committed to the Razorbacks and Arizona State has pursued several similar defensive backs from Louisiana in recent recruiting cycles. All three are trying to get him to take official visits. I don't think Vance is as soft a commitment as Capers, he has a former teammate already shining on the Hill in Devin Bush, but you never know how other programs will try to negatively recruit Vance given Arkansas's recent on-field performance.