FAYETTEVILLE - Arkansas just landed a big-time addition to its 2025 recruiting class - both literally and figuratively.
Anthony Kennedy Jr., a 6-foot-4, 334-pound defensive lineman out of Little Rock Central, announced his commitment to the Razorbacks on Monday. A former Miami commit, Kennedy reopened his recruitment in recent weeks before choosing to stay home and suit up for the Hogs.
This is a major in-state win for Arkansas. Kennedy is rated as a four-star prospect by ESPN, ranked the No. 33 defensive tackle in the country and the No. 5 overall player in the state. That kind of talent doesn’t come around often, and keeping him in Arkansas is a statement from the Razorbacks’ staff.
Kennedy’s production on the field backs up the hype. He posted 61 tackles this season, including 18 for loss, along with 2 sacks, 14 quarterback pressures, and 2 forced fumbles for the Tigers.
That’s the kind of disruptive presence you want anchoring the middle of your defensive front. He’s not just a space-eater - he’s a playmaker.
Whether he’s blowing up run plays or collapsing the pocket, Kennedy brings a level of physicality and motor that jumps off the tape.
His offer list reads like a who’s who of college football: Miami, Missouri, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Purdue, Auburn - and that’s just the start. For Arkansas to come out on top in a battle like this says a lot about the staff’s ability to connect with top-tier talent, especially when that talent is right in their backyard.
Kennedy is also part of a wave of in-state momentum for the Razorbacks. He became the fourth Arkansas native to commit on Monday, joining Cross County defensive lineman Danny Beale, Bryant linebacker Jakore Smith, and Bryant running back TJ Hodges. That’s a strong core of homegrown players, and it’s clear the program is putting an emphasis on locking down the state.
For a team looking to build toughness and depth in the trenches, Kennedy is exactly the kind of prospect you want leading the charge. He’s a force in the middle, and now he’s staying home to wear the Razorback red.