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re: Arkansas Football 2026 Recruiting Thread **OT Bear McWhorter Commits**
Posted on 8/24/23 at 5:42 pm to RazorHawg
Posted on 8/24/23 at 5:42 pm to RazorHawg
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Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco athlete Tay Lockett has committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks for the class of 2026. Lockett, 6-0, 175, went public with his decision Thursday at approximately 5:30 p.m. central, choosing the Hogs over an impressive offer list of 39 schools.
Lockett’s list included Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, USC and many others. His mother is a native of Vilonia, Arkansas and still has family in the central part of the state, which helped the Razorbacks get Lockett to Fayetteville twice in the spring.
On Tuesday, Lockett reached out to HawgSports to explain why he’s ready to make a decision so early in the process, and why August 24 is a special day to announce it:
“I would just say since the minute I stepped on campus for the first time, they just took me and my family in so well,” Lockett said. “It just gave me such a home vibe. I just kept building such a great relationship with Coach T-Will (Travis Williams) and Coach (Marcus) Woodson. I really do trust them, so I just felt like now is the right time.
“Also, Thursday is both of my parents’ birthday, so I wanted to surprise them by committing to the University of Arkansas. We had talked about going to Arkansas, but they didn’t really have a clue (that I’m committing). Also, on Saturday we play St. Thomas Aquinas on ESPN, so we can get the name out there.”
Lockett, who is wanted as a defensive back in Fayetteville, informed Arkansas’ defensive coordinator of his decision before calling head Hog Sam Pittman.
“I just talked to Coach T-Will, he was just very excited,” Lockett said. “Because once I go, I’m the first ‘26 in the class to commit to the University of Arkansas, so I know that I’m going to bring in a lot more good ball players with me.”
One of Lockett’s personal targets is a former teammate in 2025 wide receiver Dreyden Garner, who visited Arkansas with Lockett on the weekend of April 15. Lockett and Garner played together last year at University City High but have since transferred to different schools, with Lockett landing at St. John Bosco and Garner now attending Lincoln High.
“Oh, I for sure think we can get Dre Garner,” Lockett said. He’s an athlete, he can play receiver or DB. But I definitely think that will help with me committing to Arkansas. He enjoyed his time there, too, so I feel like I can help get him there.”
Lockett also has his eye on another big name in the Natural State.
“Trying to build the 2026 class, you guys have Kane Archer in Arkansas,” Lockett said. “I definitely want to keep him in Arkansas. He’s big-time.”
Lockett has yet to be rated in the Class of 2026, but was recently mentioned as a prospect who just missed the Top100 earlier this summer.
The Razorbacks now have commitments across three recruiting classes, with 18 for the current 2024 class, two for the 2025 class, and one for 2026.
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Posted on 8/24/23 at 5:44 pm to RazorHawg
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Arkansas got a head start on its 2026 recruiting class Thursday as defensive back Tay Lockett committed to the Razorbacks.
A product of St. John Bosco High School in Southern California, Lockett has at least 23 offers from some of the nation's best, including USC, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Georgia, Michigan, Miami and others.
The sophomore defensive back — like much of the 2026 class so far — has yet to be rated by Rivals, but he is sure to be in the initial 2026 rankings.
Lockett told HawgBeat he saw what Arkansas can become in the future, and it’s something he wants to be a part of.
“I just feel like what Coach Pittman is building out there, the way that he’s running the program, they’re going to be a national powerhouse,” Lockett said.
Last season for University City High School in San Diego — where he played before he transferred to St. John Bosco — Lockett recorded 92 tackles, forced three fumbles and recovered five. He also intercepted seven passes, the most by a freshman in the San Diego Section of the CIF.
It's worth noting St. John Bosch High School is one of the best high school programs in the nation. Since 2013, the school has won three High School National Championships in 2013, 2019 and 2022.
It's also produced quality NFL talent, too. Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Trent McDuffie and former first-round pick Josh Rosen come from the school located south of Los Angeles.
Former Clemson and now-Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, as well as his brother Matayo -- a five-star defensive end in the 2023 class committed to Oregon -- also hail from St. John Bosco.
While roughly 1,560 miles separate Lockett’s high school campus from the University of Arkansas, Lockett won’t be by himself, which played into his decision. Lockett said his family is originally from Arkansas and moved to California before he was born.
He told HawgBeat that his grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncles, cousins, nephew and niece all currently live in Arkansas.
“All of my family lives out there, you know, so the decision to go there just feels right,” Lockett said.
Lockett is the first player in the class of 2026 to commit to the Razorbacks. Arkansas currently has 18 commitments in the 2024 class and two in the 2025 class.
Posted on 8/24/23 at 5:48 pm to RazorHawg
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Tay Lockett is just a football player, pure and simple. He’s one of the most instinctive young players I’ve seen and has a great natural feel for the game. He can impact the game on offense, defense and in the return game and had a strong freshman season at San Diego (Calif.) University City last year.
He’s now at Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco and he’s playing primarily in the secondary. The coaches have already raved about his play making skills and ability to always be around the football.
In terms of his long term upside, Locket is a little undersized so he needs to continue to improve athletically. Much like we said with Faupusa, he’s a guy who we know will be very good at the college level and his ability to play beyond that will be determined by where his body is at down the road.
This post was edited on 8/24/23 at 5:49 pm
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