Fans would then have to pull back pages of history to find the last time Arkansas signed a top-10 recruiting class. John Pelphrey assembled a class with three top-100 prospects and a single 5-star in B.J. Young. However, he didn’t coach them as freshmen after he was removed as head coach following the 2011 season.
Former Razorbacks guards Rotnei Clarke and Courtney Fortson’s class was regarded as a top-20 group in 2008. With home victories over ranked Oklahoma and Texas squads, Arkansas followed a 12-1 non-conference start to go 2-14 in SEC play.
Chicago native Patrick Beverley’s No. 19 class in 2006 also included Fort Smith JUCO star Sonny Weems. Both men spent time with multiple NBA franchises along with international stints.
Another former coach, Stan Heath, signed a very promising class in 2003 which ranked No. 12 overall with Razorbacks legacy Ronnie Brewer, Jr. and Olu Famutimi who was a McDonald’s All-American. Famutimi would have been considered a 5-star recruit had online scouting services been popular as all are now.