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Pine Bluff (Ark.) Wilbur D. Mills four-star defensive lineman Charleston Collins held offers from top programs across the country. It turns out he will play college football just under 200 miles away.

Collins announced his commitment to Arkansas on Friday, choosing the Razorbacks over Georgia and LSU. He is Arkansas’ second pledge in-state pledge of the day, following Aledo (Texas) three-star cornerback Jaden Allen.

“It’s home,” Collins told On3. “Me choosing to stay in-state is giving me an opportunity to be the voice and image of my home state. As a kid, everybody growing up wanted to be that man. I feel that me staying home and representing my state and knowing that I have the whole state behind me is going to be something special.”

The 6-foot-4, 250-pound defender is now focused on helping the Razorbacks build their 2024 recruiting class. On3’s No. 1 player in Arkansas believes head coach Sam Pittman and his staff have the program poised to reach new heights.

Collins has noticed how Arkansas is recruiting at a high level and landing players such as 2023 four-star quarterback signee Malachi Singleton. As a result, he believes that the Razorbacks can contend for a national championship in the coming seasons.

“(Pittman’s) building something amazing,” said Collins, the No. 124 overall prospect and No. 12 defensive lineman in the 2024 On300. “In the next two or three years, I know for a fact that everybody will see it. From the family-type vibe to the players being dedicated and happy to be there, he’s a great dude.”

Collins felt like a top priority to Arkansas

Collins estimates he has visited Fayetteville around eight times. While on campus, Arkansas’ staff made him feel like a priority.

“That’s one reason I kept going back: it’s a family vibe,” Collins said. “Everybody knows me, everybody knows my family, everybody knows my siblings. There are no name tags. It’s genuine love from the food, to the people, to the town of Fayetteville itself.”

Razorbacks defensive line coach Deke Adams has been recruiting Collins since “day one.” The four-star shared that Adams checks in with him every other day or every week to make sure he is doing well both on and off the field.

Meanwhile, Arkansas’ head man has also made a great impression on Collins. According to Collins, “why wouldn’t somebody want to play for coach Pittman?”

“He’s an amazing guy, he’s funny,” Collins said. “But when it’s time to be about business, he’s about his business. He’ll joke around with you, play with you, take care of your friends and family.”

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The recruiting train rolls on for Sam Pittman and the Arkansas coaching staff, as four-star defensive end Charleston Collins committed to the Razorbacks on Friday.

Collins, who is a product of Little Rock Mills High School, made the announcement via Instagram Live.

The 6-foot-4, 260-pound edge rusher joins four-star cornerback Jaden Allen as recruits who called the Hogs so far on Friday.

Collins has held an offer from Arkansas for over a year, first reporting the Razorbacks' interest on April 16, 2022. He also holds offers from LSU, Alabama, Georgia and others.

Last season for Mills High School, Collins racked up 101 tackles, including eight sacks. He also forced five fumbles and intercepted one pass.

One factor in Collins' recruitment was his believed interest in playing with fellow four-star athlete Crutchfield of Pine Bluff. The two had taken multiple trips to schools together, even visiting LSU as late as Thursday with the Friday commitment date pending.

Collins had at one point been thought to be an LSU lean, as he was on hand when the Tigers upset Alabama in Baton Rouge last season. He — along with Crutchfield — had also taken a visit to Auburn recently, where fans believed their Tigers had a leg up.

“There’s so much that I can say about that visit,” Collins told Rivals’ Adam Gorney after his Auburn visit. “It honestly has been one of my best. I was able to get the full experience of their program, i met with some of the alumni and got an overall grasp of their culture.”

In the end, though, the Razorbacks won out for his commitment.

Collins joins fellow four-star defensive end Kavion Henderson from Leeds, Alabama, and defensive tackle Dion Stutts of Memphis as commitments in the 2024 class along the defensive line.

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Make that two four-star commitments on the day for Arkansas as the Razorbacks add a commitment from one of their top targets in versatile in-state pass-rusher Little Rock (Ark.) Mills defensive end Charleston Collins.

Collins, who was heavily courted by a variety of power programs including a handful of SEC West contenders, decided to stay home on the heels of a busy spring visit run that saw him see most of his contenders, including a last minute visit to LSU on Thursday.

However, Sam Pittman and his staff add their top in-state target with his commitment and immediately will have flexibility in the pass-rush game upon his arrival in Fayetteville.

Whether it's lining up as an interior pass rusher or off the edge, Collins has found a lot of success in his high school career getting after the quarterback. As a junior, Collins recorded a whopping 124 tackles including 12 sacks along with forcing one fumble and recovering five fumbles in 12 games. Offensively, Collins also pitched in with 11 receptions for 67 yards.

At the college level, Collins will have the most success off the edge with his combination of athleticism and size. At the Under Armour Dallas camp earlier this spring, Collins walked away with a defensive line MVP honor after getting around and through just about any offensive tackle that was thrown his way. At the next level, Collins should have similar success with his intangibles.

At 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, Collins is ranked as the No. 5 recruit from the state of Arkansas and the No. 25 strongside defensive end in the country.