The Natural 21
For over a decade, HawgSports.com has released the state's premiere prospect ranking, the Natural 21. This is the postseason edition of the 2017 list.
1. Montaric Brown | S | Ashdown | Committed to Arkansas
A year after bursting onto the scene with 123 tackles and 7 interceptions, the Army All-American produced 110 stops and 7 more picks as a senior. Brown turned down offers from Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Oklahoma and many others to stay home and play for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Previous Ranking: 1
2. Akial Byers | DL | Fayetteville | Committed to Alabama
Byers posted 60 tackles (29 solo), 13 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries while helping give Fayetteville a second straight championship. He also had 30 quarterback hurries on the year. Byers chose Alabama over Ohio State, Oklahoma and several others. Previous Ranking: 2
3. Koilan Jackson | WR | Pulaski Robinson | Committed to Arkansas
Jackson played quarterback for Little Rock Parkview in 2015 before moving to wide receiver for Joe T. Robinson as a senior. He hauled in 57 receptions for 1,206 yards and 12 touchdowns while also rushing for 486 yards and 8 scores. The youngest son of former All-Pro tight end Keith Jackson also threw for three touchdowns and scored one on special teams. He chose an early Arkansas offer over Illinois, where his brother Kenyon plays for the Illini. Previous Ranking: 7
4. Taylor Powell | QB | Fayetteville | Committed to Wake Forest
Powell capped off a remarkable high school career with 3,473 yards and 44 touchdown passes with only 7 interceptions as a senior. He led the Purple Dogs to back-to-back state championships in 2015 and 2016 after coming up just shy in the title game in 2014. Powell was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Arkansas. He chose Wake Forest over Vanderbilt, Washington State, Purdue, Indiana, Illinois and others. Previous Ranking: 4
5. Jarrod Barnes | ATH | Cabot | Committed to Arkansas
Arguably the most electrifying player in the state, Barnes put together another solid season despite missing time with an injury. He finished with 844 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns while also passing for 697 yards and 5 scores. Barnes won a state championship in basketball last winter after holding Malik Monk to 0-for-10 from three-point land in the 7A title game. He will play wide receiver for the Razorbacks. Previous Ranking: 3
6. Kirby Adcock | OL | Nashville | Committed to Arkansas
Adcock helped pave the way for an 11-1 Nashville team that averaged a staggering 516 yards and 53.6 points per game. The 6-4, 280-pounder picked Arkansas over Iowa State, Indiana, Louisiana Tech and others early on. He enrolls at the UA in January. Previous Ranking: 5
7. David Porter | DE | Pulaski Robinson | Undecided
Porter is one of the fastest-rising prospects in the state after putting up 105 tackles, 24 tackles for loss and 13 sacks as a senior in 2016. He holds offers from Kansas State, Colorado State, Tulane and Louisiana Tech. Other Power-5 teams are turning up the heat down the final stretch before January.
8. Monta Thomas | ATH | Hampton | Undecided
For anyone who saw Thomas play in person over the last two years, it's easy to understand why he's considered one of the top ten prospects in the state on this list. As a senior he came close to 3,000 total yards and scored more than 40 touchdowns on offense, and had almost 70 tackles and 11 tackles for loss on defense while carrying Hampton to the 2A state title game. Thomas' offer list could become quite impressive if he takes the JUCO route. Previous Ranking: 11
9. B.J. Thompson | DE | England | Committed to Washington State
Thompson is another Class 2A standout who led his team deep into the playoffs as a senior. He finished with 29 tackles, 16 of which were behind the line, and 7 sacks. On offense, he had 601 receiving yards with 20 of his 37 receptions going for touchdowns. Thompson remains committed to Wazzu despite recent offers from Baylor and Utah. Previous Ranking: 12
10. Jonathan Adams | WR | Jonesboro | Committed to Arkansas State
Adams was expected to take the next step as a player in his senior season and he didn't disappoint. The 6-3 receiver had 76 receptions for 1,402 yards and 26 receiving touchdowns and 97 rushing yards with another rushing touchdown. Defensively, he posted 13 tackles, an interception and four pass break-ups. The son of an Arkansas State legend will look to follow his father's footsteps in Jonesboro. Previous Ranking: 14
11. Tre Norwood | CB | Fort Smith Northside | Committed to Louisville
Norwood was Northside's go-to playmaker on both sides of the ball in 2016. He finished with 36 tackles, 6 pass break-ups and 2 interceptions as a senior. Norwood received and accepted an early offer from Louisville, turning down offers from Minnesota, Wake Forest, Arkansas State and others. Previous Ranking: 15
12. Joshua Johnson | WR | Central Arkansas Christian | Committed to Iowa State
Johnson missed two games but still managed 813 yards and 9 touchdowns on 53 receptions. He also had an interception on the defensive side. The smooth route runner flipped from Indiana to Iowa State last summer and also reported offers from Notre Dame, Minnesota, North Carolina State, Kansas State and others. Previous Rank: 6
13. Darius Hopkins | RB | Nashville | Undecided
Hopkins put up monster numbers as a senior in 2016: 2,073 rushing yards (11.5 YPC); 41 rushing touchdowns; 258 receiving yards and 2 receiving touchdowns. Some schools, such as Central Arkansas, are still awaiting his final test scores. Several DII programs have offered, while Coffeyville and East Mississippi junior colleges are among the latest to reach out to Hopkins. Previous Ranking: 13
14. Hayden Henry | S | Pulaski Academy | Undecided
The younger brother of former Razorback and current San Diego Charger tight end Hunter Henry emerged as one of the state's top defensive prospects in 2016. Hayden Henry recorded 93 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries and 16 pass break-ups. Air Force, Navy, Missouri State and others have offered, while Arkansas, Cincinnati, Arkansas State and others are showing increased interest down the final stretch. Previous Ranking: NR
15. Deshawn Gulledge | ATH | Bald Knob | Committed to Arkansas (preferred walk-on)
Gulledge was a do-everything player at Bald Knob, and that was especially true during his senior season. The shifty athlete finished with 697 rushing yards, 16 rushing touchdowns, and 36 receptions for 909 yards and 12 receiving touchdowns. He also had 447 return yards and 5 touchdowns on special teams. Gulledge is committed to walk-on for the Razorbacks. Previous Ranking: 19
16. Ty Clary | OL | Fayetteville | Undecided
Clary is one of the more overlooked linemen in the state this year, with offers from Arkansas State, Cincinnati, Air Force, Central Arkansas, Dartmouth, Missouri State and Coastal Carolina. The hometown Hogs have also offered as a preferred walk-on. Clary helped lead Fayetteville to a second consecutive state championship in 2016. Previous Ranking: 18
17. Cualan Williams | WR | Lafayette County | Committed to Louisiana Tech
Williams' senior stat line doesn't jump off the page, but that's to be expected on a team that runs the ball 80 percent of the time and had a sophomore starting at quarterback in 2016. Still, Williams has all the tools necessary to thrive for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, whom he chose over offers from UL-Monroe and Kent State. Previous Ranking: 10
18. Marvin Moody | LB | Bryant | Committed to Central Arkansas
Marvin continues to fly under the radar after an exceptional senior season in which he posted 120 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, a sack and two interceptions. He committed to UCA at the start of his senior year but is picking up late interest from other FBS programs as of late. Previous Ranking: NR
19. Myles Fells | ATH | Pulaski Robinson | Committed to Navy
Fells contributed 1,168 all-purpose yards and 22 touchdowns on offense and still had enough energy to make 115 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries and an interception on defense. He chose Navy early on and stuck with his commitment. Previous Ranking: 16
20. Demekko Clark | RB | Blytheville | Undecided
Clark was a bowling ball in Blytheville's offense. He rushed for a state-leading 2,111 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior while averaging 9.3 yards per carry. Clark also eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark as a junior in 2015. Several instate programs are chasing the strong, stocky runner. Previous Ranking: NR
21. Hunter Moreton | OL | Fort Smith Southside | Committed to Arkansas State
Moreton would likely have more offers if he was a little taller than 6-1, but he still deserves a spot on this list after a successful career as a three-year starter. Moreton is following in the footsteps of his older brother, Austin, at Arkansas State.