Two 2028 Prospects Praise Arkansas Hospitality During Visit

Knoxville Prospect Keagan Covington Evaluates Arkansas Hospitality During Missouri Game

“The town around Fayetteville is so great, even the people who didn’t know I was a recruit were amazing,” Keagan Covington said. The 6-foot-4, 270-pound defensive lineman from Knoxville (Tenn.) Catholic made his way to the Arkansas campus on Saturday for the Missouri game at Reynolds Razorback Stadium, taking in an atmosphere that immediately felt familiar. “The entire town gives me a back at home vibe and that’s great because college is your second home, but it felt like my real home.”

Covington boasts a 78.5-inch wingspan and a recruitment list featuring Arkansas, Michigan, Penn State, Florida, Tennessee, Oregon, Missouri, Kentucky, Ole Miss, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and numerous others after earning an offer from the Hogs on May 8. That welcoming environment started the moment he touched down in Northwest Arkansas. “A big welcome in the airport from just getting off the plane and even leaving,” Covington said.

Patrons at a local restaurant took time out of their own meals to help Covington and his group read the menu. “When we were out to eat, they took their time to help us find the best thing on the menu even though they were eating still,” he noted.

Currently rated as a consensus 3-star recruit with the upside to challenge for 4-star status before graduation, Covington points to a clear vision from the coaching staff as a major draw. He credits Razorback run game coordinator and defensive line coach Kynjee’ Cotton alongside defensive line coach Landius Wilkerson for building a strong foundation. “What stood out is the plan that Arkansas has and the intentions they have to make this team great,” Covington said. “Coach Wilks and coach Cotton have most certainly made their guys buy in and trust in them and how well they can coach.”

Hayden Shannon Secures Scholarship Offer After Touring Reynolds Razorback Stadium

Offensive lineman Hayden Shannon of Monroe (Iowa) PCM collected a scholarship offer during his visit to Fayetteville, adding to an offer sheet that already includes Iowa State, Kansas State, Kansas, Nebraska, and Minnesota. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound prospect used the trip to connect with run game coordinator and offensive line coach Jeff Myers and offensive line coach Marcus Johnson.

Fayetteville ar general view of donald w reynolds razorback stadium home of the arkansas

“The hospitality was great there,” Shannon said. “Coach Myers and Coach Johnson were great to talk to and get to meet them in person. The stadium was very cool and it was definitely a unique place.”

The architecture of Reynolds Razorback Stadium left a distinct impression on the Iowa lineman, who was accompanied by his parents for the Saturday showdown against Missouri. “I would say just how it’s built and looks impressive,” Shannon said. Two of the three major recruiting services currently list Shannon as a 3-star prospect, and he plans to make a return trip to Arkansas in the spring.