Ryan Silverfield and the Arkansas Razorbacks just added a key piece to their 2026 recruiting class - and this one comes with experience and size up front. On Monday, Coffeyville Community College defensive tackle Antonio Sandel-Bascomb gave his verbal commitment to the Hogs, flipping the script from his original plan to play under Silverfield at Memphis. Now, the 6-foot-3, 305-pound lineman is Fayetteville-bound, with an official visit on the horizon and two years of eligibility to make his presence felt in the SEC trenches.
Sandel-Bascomb announced his decision shortly after receiving an official offer from Arkansas on Sunday. He picked the Razorbacks over a group that included Memphis, Kansas, Baylor, and others - a sign that his stock was rising among programs looking to beef up their defensive front. His commitment gives Arkansas a plug-and-play option on the interior line, someone who’s already been tested at the JUCO level and could contribute early in a rotation that’s looking to reload.
This latest pledge adds to what’s been a busy and productive December for the Razorbacks. Silverfield and his staff signed 17 high school prospects during the early signing period, including a late surge that brought in four in-state commits in the final 48 hours before National Signing Day. The class is headlined by three four-star talents: defensive lineman Danny Beale from Cross County, running back Terry Hodges out of Bryant, and Little Rock Central’s own Anthony Kennedy Jr., another defensive lineman with high upside.
The rest of the class is filled with depth and positional versatility. On the edge, Arkansas added Colton Yarbrough from Durant, Oklahoma.
At wide receiver, they landed Dequane Prevo and Blair Irvin III, both from Bentonville. The secondary got a boost with safeties Kyndrick Williams (Fayetteville) and Tay Lockett (Conway), along with cornerbacks Jalon Copeland from Valdosta, Georgia, and Brandon Ford out of Crowley, Texas.
Linebacker Jakore Smith, another in-state signee from Bryant, brings athleticism to the second level. Jude Hall, a wideout from Christ Church in Greenville, South Carolina, adds another weapon to the offense. And up front, the Razorbacks secured three offensive linemen: Ben Mubenga (Buford, Ga.), Hugh Smith (Missouri City, Texas), and Tucker Young (Hot Springs, Ark.) - all prospects with the size and frame to develop into SEC contributors.
Special teams didn’t go unnoticed either. Arkansas added punter Connor Smith from Ridgeview High in Clintwood, Virginia, and long snapper Eli Haltom from Pleasant Grove in Texarkana, Texas - two scholarship specialists who could step into key roles down the line.
As it stands, Arkansas ranks 57th nationally and 15th in the SEC, according to 247Sports’ recruiting rankings. But with the transfer portal window set to open on Friday, January 2, expect the Razorbacks to stay aggressive. Silverfield and his staff have already shown they’re not afraid to pivot and pursue talent wherever it’s available - whether it’s from high school, the JUCO ranks, or the portal.
Sandel-Bascomb’s commitment is another example of that approach paying off. A big-bodied, experienced lineman with a chip on his shoulder and SEC aspirations?
That’s the kind of addition that can quietly reshape a defensive front. And with more moves likely on the way, Arkansas' 2026 class is far from finished.