For the second year in a row, Arkansas football has made history with its in-state recruiting efforts. Unfortunately, it’s probably not the kind of history Sam Pittman would like to be part of.
After signing what’s believed to be a record-low three players from Arkansas in the 2023 class, the Razorbacks inked only five of the 14 in-state prospects who signed with Power Five programs Wednesday.
Based on research by Best of Arkansas Sports, that is the lowest percentage — 35.7% — of homegrown Power Five-level players coming to Arkansas since at least 1994. The previous low was 38.5% in 2010, when the Razorbacks signed five of 13.
Considering the regional nature of recruiting before the 1990s, it’s not a stretch to say this is also an all-time low for the Arkansas football program.
Despite missing out on some of the top players from the Natural State, Pittman sounded pleased with the group he did sign when he met with reporters Wednesday.
“Sometimes you’re not going to get them all and it’s disappointing because we feel like for their life and for their career and for their passion, they help us win.