Arkansas didn’t just win the day on Monday - they dominated it. After locking in three key in-state recruits earlier, the Razorbacks capped off a recruiting hot streak by landing a big-time commitment from four-star defensive lineman Anthony Kennedy Jr. out of Little Rock Central.
Kennedy, a 6-foot-3, 334-pound force in the trenches, had previously been committed to Miami from late June through the end of November. But despite that pledge, his recruitment stayed competitive.
Programs like Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma, Texas, and USC - all heavyweights in the recruiting world - had offers on the table. That tells you just how coveted he was.
According to 247Sports, Kennedy ranks as the No. 37 interior defensive lineman in the country. The industry-generated Composite rankings list him as a three-star and slot him at No. 49 at the position. Either way, Arkansas is getting a player with serious upside and SEC-ready size.
And the production backs it up. As a senior, Kennedy racked up 61 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 14 quarterback pressures and forced a pair of fumbles.
That kind of disruption from the interior is rare - and it’s exactly what Arkansas needs in the trenches. He’s also slated to showcase his talents later this month at the Military Appreciation Bowl in Frisco, Texas.
Kennedy becomes the Razorbacks’ 17th verbal commitment in a class that’s been climbing the rankings in a hurry. Arkansas started the day sitting at No. 81 nationally, but after this flurry of additions, they’ve surged up to No. 47 - and the early signing period is just over a day away.
Earlier on Monday, Arkansas reeled in three more in-state standouts: Cross County four-star defensive lineman Danny Beale, Bryant four-star athlete TJ Hodges, and Hodges’ teammate, three-star linebacker Jakore Smith. Hodges flipped from Missouri, while Smith had recently backed off a commitment to Oklahoma before deciding to stay home and suit up for the Hogs.
It’s clear that Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman and his staff are making a concerted push to lock down the state’s top talent - and it’s paying off. The Razorbacks are still in play for several more in-state prospects, including Greenwood quarterback Kane Archer, Maumelle edge rusher Jordan Harris, and Bryant pass rusher Matthew Nelson.
With momentum building and the early signing period fast approaching, Arkansas is positioning itself for a strong close. And with players like Kennedy joining the fold, the foundation for the future is starting to look a lot more formidable.