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Cartersville (Ga.) Cass offensive lineman Bear McWhorter has committed to Arkansas' Class of 2026. The 6-4, 297-pound lineman went public with his decision on Sunday, becoming the Razorbacks' second commitment for the class, joining heavily-recruited safety Tay Lockett of Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco.

McWhorter chose the Razorbacks over Tennessee, Texas, Alabama, Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Florida State, Ole Miss, Penn State and many others. McWhorter, who was once displayed on a Northwest Arkansas billboard telling head coach Sam Pittman that he wanted an Arkansas offer, made it back to Fayetteville this past June for a camp and unofficial visit with the Hogs.

In addition to Lockett and McWhorter in the 2026 cycle, the Hogs also have two for 2025 in Maumelle (Ark.) Central Arkansas Christian quarterback Grayson Wilson and Bauxite (Ark.) safety Marcus Wimberly.

Arkansas has 18 commitments for the Class of 2024, including eight commitments on the offensive side of the ball in four-star quarterback KJ Jackson of Montgomery (Ala.) St. James, four-star running back Braylen Russell of Benton (Ark.), three-star athlete/running back Jadan Baugh of Decatur (Ga.) Columbia, four-star wide receiver Courtney Crutchfield of Pine Bluff (Ark.), four-star receiver Ashton Bethel-Roman of Missouri City (Texas) Ridge Point, three-star wide receiver CJ Brown of Bentonville (Ark.), three-star offensive lineman Kobe Branham of Fort Smith (Ark.) Southside, and three-star offensive lineman Zuri Madison of Lexington (Ky.) Frederick Douglass.

The Razorbacks have ten defensive commitments in four-star defensive lineman Charleston Collins of Little Rock (Ark.) Mills, four-star defensive lineman Kavion Henderson of Leeds (Ala.), three-star linebacker Justin Logan of Marietta (Ga.) Kell, three-star linebacker Wyatt Simmons of Searcy (Ark.) Harding Academy, four-star athlete Julius Pope of Batesville (Miss.) South Panola, four-star cornerback Selman Bridges of Temple (Texas) Lake Belton, three-star cornerback Jaden Allen of Aledo (Texas), three-star athlete Ahkhari Johnson of Texarkana (Texas) Pleasant Grove, and three-star defensive back Tevis Metcalf of Pinson (Ala.) Clay-Chalkville.

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Cartersville (Ga.) Cass 2026 offensive lineman Bear McWhorter announced his commitment to Arkansas on Sunday, choosing to play his college football for Sam Pittman and his staff over the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, NC State, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Penn State, Tennessee and Texas among others.

The 6-foot-4, 297-pound McWhorter visited many of those campuses, but nothing stacked up with the several trips to Fayetteville.

“I had seen everything I wanted to and met so many great people and nothing could compare to what Arkansas had to offer,” McWhorter told 247Sports. “I had been thinking in my head for a while that this is what I was gonna do.”

McWhorter becomes commit No. 2 for Arkansas in this sophomore class joining Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco athlete Tay Lockett who gave his verbal this past week.

“When I saw Tay commit I decided to go ahead and do it and build a special class with him,” McWhorter said.

McWhorter did not allow a sack as a freshman and comes into the fall a MaxPreps Sophomore All-American. Pittman and the Razorbacks staff were one of the first programs to offer back in January.

“I gotta say it's Coach Pitt and (Cody) Kennedy,” McWhorter said. “The combination of those guys, the area and the fanbase was too much for me to say no to.

“The people up there are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. The facilities don't lack anything and the offensive line guys Pittman has sent to league.”

That last part is why McWhorter trusts Pittman and Kennedy with his future.

“I would have to say their development of linemen as well as the relationships I’ve built with them,” he said. “Every time I talk to them it's not just about me and football. it's about my family and my personal life. It's different.”

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Fresh off landing one elite prospect in the class of 2026, the Hogs got more good news on Sunday as offensive lineman Bear McWhorter announced his commitment to join the Razorbacks.

McWhorter made the announcement on his Twitter account.

The Cartersville, Georgia, native chose Arkansas over a plethora of other programs, including Alabama, Georgia, Florida and others.

McWhorter has taken multiple visits to Arkansas, and said after his latest trip each time is better than the last

"I love it here," McWhorter said. "I think this is probably my sixth time back. I can't get enough of it. Every time I come up I learn something new about it and fall in love even more."

He is also expected to be on campus for the BYU game in Week 3.

With McWhorter’s commitment, Arkansas is up to two in the class of 2026. Defensive back Tay Lockett committed to the Hogs on Thursday.

This post was edited on 8/27/23 at 8:15 pm