re: Arkansas Football 2023 Recruiting Thread **WR Dazmin James Commits**

quote:

---

Houston (Texas) Klein Forest linebacker Brad Spence has committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks. Spence, 6-2, 225, went public with his decision on Tuesday afternoon to become the Hogs' 22nd verbal commitment for the Class of 2023.

Spence chose the Razorbacks over finalists California and Texas while also holding offers from Wisconsin, Nebraska, Mississippi State, California, Louisville, Utah and several others. He made official visits at Arkansas (June 10-12) and Cal (June 17-19) before reaching a decision.

Spence was recruited to Fayetteville by linebackers coach Michael Scherer and is projected to play linebacker for the Hogs.

As a sophomore, Spence recorded 72 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 6 pass break-ups and a fumble recovery.

According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Spence is the No. 60 edge rusher in the nation and the No. 132 overall prospect in the state of Texas. 247Sports has him as the No. 90 edge rusher nationally and No. 178 in Texas.

Arkansas' team ranking rises to 234.14 total points with the addition of Spence, good for No. 8 nationally and No. 3 in the SEC according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. The Razorbacks rank seventh nationally per 247Sports.

---

quote:

---

Moody (Ala.) wide receiver Davion Dozier has committed to Arkansas. The 6-4, 195-pound prospect went public with his decision on Wednesday afternoon to become the Razorbacks 23rd verbal pledge for the Class of 2023.

Dozier is Arkansas' second wide receiver commitment of the class and the program's tenth in the last 19 days. He chose the Hogs over four other finalists in Maryland, Tennessee, South Carolina and Duke while holding other offers from Georgia Tech, South Florida, Arkansas State and others.

The big receiver was offered by position coach Kenny Guiton in early May and got his first look at Fayetteville during an unofficial visit on June 17.

"My main two were really Maryland and Arkansas, just because of how I was treated up there and how they both talked to me, and the relationships I have with both receiver coaches," Dozier told HawgSports. "How Arkansas beat out Maryland was how me and Coach Guiton are so alike. He's a young coach, he just got the job this past year, so I see him being the coach the whole time, I really liked that about it. Then, I had a talk with Coach (Sam) Pittman on my visit and that was really what made me lock in with them.

"My mom liked Maryland and Arkansas, but she wanted me to go with whatever I picked."

Dozier, a three-star prospect by the Composite and 247Sports, appreciated Guiton going the extra mile during his visit.

"When I was up there on an unofficial, me and Coach Guiton were in the receivers room talking ball," Dozier said. "We talked about how they would use me, and it's basically what I do at my high school anyway. So it's a quick transition, I already know what to do."

Growing up in SEC country and getting to play in the nation's top conference was a big deal for Dozier, as well.

"Oh yeah. I grew up in the SEC. I had to take advantage of the opportunity," he said. "I've been dreaming about it since I was a little kid."

While Arkansas' class has already reached a staggering 23 commitments by mid-July, Dozier plans to have a positive impact on other recruits going forward.

"I mean, we're already one of the top ten schools," Dozier said. "I'm going to try and get some guys in. They may be 2024 or they may be '23, but I'm definitely going to try."

In addition to Dozier, the Razorbacks also have a commitment from four-star wide receiver Micah Tease of Tulsa (Okla.) Booker T. Washington. Dozier's commitment keeps Arkansas' 2023 class ranked tenth nationally and fourth in the SEC per the Composite rankings.

247Sports has the Hogs at seventh nationally and second in the SEC.

---

quote:

---

ON CHOOSING ARKANSAS: "Me and Coach (Scott) Fountain have stayed in touch a lot throughout and when I went there I saw everything and we talked about their offense and what I could do when I got there," Dozier said of Arkansas. "They said if I work hard, I would have a chance to come in and start as a freshman."

"When I sat down with Coach (Sam) Pittman and he told me about everything. He said they weren't rushing me or forcing me into a commitment. They wanted me real bad and they were planning on waiting for me."

"I also just seen the fit. Everything fit real good."

---

quote:

---

ON THE RAZORBACK'S OFFENSE: "I was in there with the receivers coach (Kenny Guiton) in the position meetings (during his June visit). He likes that I'm a big, tall guy and can move. He said I'm a matchup nightmare for the defensive backs on the outside. I can also move to the inside because I'm the type of guy that can make big plays for my team. He said he just loves all that about me."

---

quote:

---

ON OTHER ALABAMA PLAYERS IN THE CLASS: "I played against TJ (Metcalf) a couple of times. We went up against each other at the Under Armour Camp in Atlanta. We also played their team at the 7-on-7 tournament at Auburn, so I've seen him a few times and we played against each other a few times. I also know Dallas (Young) through other people too."

---

quote:

---

RIVALS REACTION: Arkansas strikes again in the Yellowhammer State as Dozier becomes their third 2023 commitment from the talent-rich borders, joining defensive backs Dallas Young of Gardendale (Ala.) and TJ Metcalf of Pinson Valley (Ala.). When it came to Dozier's recruiting process, Maryland made themselves a contender with their official visit but in the end, the three-star's relationships with Arkansas assistants Scott Fountain and Kenny Guiton proved to be the difference as the Razorbacks continue their July recruiting tear. Dozier plans to return to Fayetteville during the season for his official visit.

---