quote:
Mobile (Ala.) Williamson safety Taijh Overton has verbally committed to Sam Pittman and the Arkansas Razorbacks. The 6-2, 190-pound defensive back went public with his decision at 4:30 p.m. Thursday to become the Hogs' fifth commitment for the Class of 2025.

Overton, who visited Fayetteville unofficially on March 9 and will return for an official visit on June 21, chose the Razorbacks over scholarship offers from Florida State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Memphis, Marshall, Liberty and others. He was offered by assistant head coach Scott Fountain on January 30.

"When my family and I went up there, they made me feel at home," Overton told HawgSports of his decision. "I have a really good connection and relationships with the coaches. While up there, I fell in love with their whole program overall from the educational aspect to their football program, I really loved it."

According to 247Sports, Overton is a three-star recruit who ranks 66th nationally among all safety prospects, and 33rd overall regardless of position in the state of Alabama for the Class of 2025. The 247Sports Composite rankings have Overton even higher as the 49th safety in the land and the 28th prospect in his home state.

As a junior, Overton, who goes by the nickname 'The Hammer,' totaled 116 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 2 sacks, 19 passes defended, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

Overton joins an Arkansas class that already included four commitments in Maumelle (Ark.) Central Arkansas Christian quarterback Grayson Wilson, Atlanta (Texas) running back Markeylin Batton, Dallas (Texas) South Oak Cliff linebacker Jayden Shelton, and Bay St. Louis (Miss.) St. Stanislaus kicker Evan Noel.

With the addition of Overton, the Razorbacks go from 61st nationally in the team recruiting rankings and 15th in the SEC to 54th in the country and 13th in the league.

Arkansas signed zero Alabama prospects in three classes between 2020-22, but signed three from the Yellowhammer State in 2023 and added four more in 2024, including a trio of four-star recruits in quarterback KJ Jackson, defensive lineman Kavion Henderson, and linebacker Bradley Shaw. The Razorbacks have offered a total of 27 prospects in Alabama for the Class of 2025 and has scheduled official visits from Overton and Saraland wide receiver Dillon Alfred (June 21), and expected visits from Helena cornerback Jeremiah Alvis, The Montgomery Academy wide receiver DJ Vinson, Birmingham Parker defensive end Caleb Smith, and Montgomery Carver wide receiver Tristan Norman.

Overton will join an Arkansas secondary that currently includes eight scholarship safeties in redshirt-super senior Hudson Clark, super-senior Doneiko Slaughter, senior Jayden Johnson, junior Miguel Mitchell, sophomore TJ Metcalf, sophomore Dylan Hasz, and a pair of redshirt-freshmen in RJ Johnson and Christian Ford.

Pittman and the Hogs are currently hosting several transfer targets on Day 9 of the 15-day spring transfer window. So far, the Razorbacks have received visits from Charlotte transfer linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green, Florida State transfer running back Rodney Hill, Jacksonville State transfer linebacker Larry Worth, Louisville transfer linebacker Jaylin Alderman, Utah State transfer linebacker Anthony Switzer, and Louisville transfer defensive tackle Tawfiq Thomas.

Arkansas is expected to welcome another transfer defensive lineman on Friday when Texas Southern transfer Elinus Noel III makes his way to Fayetteville.

LINK

quote:
The Arkansas Razorbacks added another piece to their 2025 recruiting class on Thursday, as three-star safety Taijh Overton announced his commitment to Arkansas.

Overton, a native of Mobile, Alabama, held offers from Missouri, Florida State, Ole Miss and others in addition to the Razorbacks.

He made his announcement on his X (formerly Twitter) account.

Arkansas got in the race on Jan. 30, and he took an unofficial visit to the Hill for a Prospect Day on March 8.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound defensive back finished his junior campaign with 116 total tackles and nine tackles for loss.

In coverage, Overton is fundamentally sound and is quick to the ball. He picked off three passes in 10 games for Williamson High School and deflected 19 total passes.