In-state recruits who signed with Arkansas Razorbacks stand by their decisions
BENTON — Arkansas Razorback fans who had been worried about the defection of Pine Bluff wide receiver Courtney Crutchfield to SEC rival Missouri had reason to relax Wednesday evening.
That’s because three in-state players — Benton running back Braylen Russell, Bentonville wide receiver C.J. Brown and Mills defensive end Charleston Collins — kept their word and signed their letter of intents to play football at Arkansas in 2024.
Russell, a 6-2, 230-pound running back, led the 10-2 Panthers to the Class 6A state semifinals before losing 42-35 to Little Rock Christian Academy. In two seasons after transferring from Hot Springs Lakeside, he rushed for 2,952 yards and 46 touchdowns. He also caught 45 passes for 621 yards and 6 touchdowns. As a senior, he rushed for 1,267 yards and 26 touchdowns and caught 22 passes for 224 yards and 1 touchdown.
Brown, a 6-0, 185-pound wide receiver, caught 61 passes for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns and returned 3 kickoffs for touchdowns in leading the 9-4 Tigers to the 7A state final before losing 22-16 to Fayetteville.
Collins, a 6-5, 270-pound defensive end, had 115 tackles, 31 for losses, with 12 sacks for the 9-3 Comets, who fell 35-6 to eventual Class 5A state champion Little Rock Parkview in the quarterfinals.
Russell, who committed to Arkansas when he was playing at Lakeside, de-committed before his junior season, but he maintained he was not going anywhere. Prior to signing his letter of intent, Benton head coach Brad Harris said, “When Braylen said he was de-committing, it was a separation, not a divorce.”
Russell said despite de-committing in the first place, Arkansas was still his first choice.
After recommitting over the summer, Russell kept his word despite the fact Arkansas went 4-8 and closed the season with a 48-14 loss to Missouri, which is playing in the Cotton Bowl against Ohio State.
“What motivated me was that I had a good relationship with the coaches when going through the process. When you go everywhere, everyone has nice things to say, but as I went around, it was clear Arkansas was the choice, and the relationships with Coach [Sam] Pittman and now with Coach [offensive coordinator Bobby] Petrino. He offered me when he was at Texas A&M and I had a good relationship with him and things are better with him.”
Bentonville's CJ Brown (Photo by Rally Miller)
Petrino was the Arkansas head coach from 2008-11, when he was 34-17 before being fired in April 2012 after a pattern of deceptive and misleading behavior following a motorcycle accident involving Jessica Dorrell, whom he hired for a position in the football office while failing to disclose he was in a relationship with her. He was brought back as the offensive coordinator Nov. 28 after serving the past season in the same capacity at Texas A&M. He was the head coach at Western Kentucky in 2013, Louisville from 2014-18 and Missouri State from 2020-22.
Pittman and Petrino visited Russell on Dec. 2. A video of Russell’s family serving food to Pittman and Petrino was on Russell’s Twitter feed.
“Petrino was really cool and down to earth and means business when it’s time to get on the field,” Russell said. “My impression was, ‘Man, Coach Petrino and Coach Pittman are at my house along with [Associate head coach for running backs] Jimmy Smith.’ ”
Harris said while he never doubted Russell’s commitment to Arkansas, he said the fact that Pittman and Petrino came to Russell’s home this month helped secure things.
“I think that helped,” Harris said. “I think Braylen was all in regardless. He and I talked several times. He was bummed with the 4-8 record and the transition. The offensive staff likes him. Bringing Coach Petrino in, he’s a good one. I know everyone’s excited. Braylen is excited because he knows how well Petrino uses his running backs."
When Petrino was the head coach at Arkansas, running backs were productive. In 2008, Michael Smith rushed for 1,072 yards and 8 touchdowns while averaging 5.2 yards per carry and caught 32 passes for 298 yards and 2 touchdowns for a team that finished 5-7. In 2010, Knile Davis rushed for 1,322 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging 6.5 yards per carry. He caught 19 passes for 136 yards and 1 touchdown as Arkansas finished 10-3 before losing 31-26 to Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl and finishing 12th in the final Associated Press rankings. In 2011, Dennis Johnson rushed for 670 yards and 3 touchdowns while averaging 6.3 yards per carry. He caught 24 passes for 255 yards and 2 touchdowns for a team that finished 11-2 and was ranked fifth after beating Kansas State 29-16 in the Sugar Bowl.
Harris said Russell is walking into a situation that fits his talents.
“Coach Pittman loves him,” Harris said. “I know he thinks he’ll play as a freshman. He has the body and the tools. He has to get in there and get after it.
“I witnessed that several years ago when I was the head coach at Lincoln and attended several camps when Coach Petrino was the head coach up there, and that system is great.”
Russell said his main adjustment is learning how to pass protect.
Despite the fact Arkansas finished 4-8, Russell is confident the Razorbacks can turn things around. He said the fact Arkansas lost five games by a total of 24 points indicates they are not far from turning around.
“We need to learn how to finish the game and we’re going to win,” Russell said.
Russell, who is graduating early, will report to Arkansas on Jan. 12.
Brown said he wasn’t bothered by the fact Crutchfield, who committed to Arkansas last spring, changed his mind in November and signed with Missouri.
"I like Courtney, he's a good kid, I wish the best of luck to him,” Brown said. “At the end of the day, you have to do what's best for your family. So, whatever his decision was, I fully support it."
Brown is walking into a system where wide receivers have a history of flourishing. In Petrino’s previous tenure, 10 times Arkansas receivers caught at least 40 passes in a season. Five times, Razorback receivers caught at least 50 passes in a season. Jarius Wright caught 66 passes for 1,117 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2011. D.J. Williams caught 61 passes for 723 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2008. Williams led the team with 54 receptions for 627 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2010.
With Petrino’s history of running offenses that can beat people passing and throwing the ball, Brown said he wants to start as a freshman and make the SEC’s all-freshman team.
Collins, who committed with his cousin Crutchfield to Arkansas in the spring, was at Crutchfield’s signing ceremony Tuesday and poked fun at the fact that Mills beat Pine Bluff the past two years and now Crutchfield will have to play catch-up in college.
Wednesday night, Collins defended his decision to stay at Arkansas
“Every man has a mind for himself,” Collins said. “Just because someone is from here doesn’t mean they are obligated to stay. I’ve got a lot of pride and dignity toward my state, and I just wanted to stay here. The program is struggling a little bit, and I know I am the kind of X-factor that can bring it back.
Benton's Braylen Russell (Photo by Jeff Halpern)
“It was a decision we made together and as we committed, the university was showing some love and the people were showing some love, and I got to know the people of Fayetteville a little bit. I grew to love [Arkansas]. There isn’t much bad you can say about Arkansas or Sam Pittman himself.”
Earlier in the day, LRCA quarterback Walker White made his commitment to SEC rival Auburn official when he signed his letter of intent. White, who led the Warriors to the Class 6A state championship game, where they lost 41-23 to Greenwood, while throwing for 2,660 yards and 29 touchdowns, said players who changed their minds can work both ways.
“There are some in-state recruits going out-of-state,” White said. “But you also have to look at some of the recruits they are bringing in. They just flipped a Clemson recruit the other day and got a five-star linebacker, so some in-state guys are leaving, but you still have guys like Charlie Collins, who is a big-time recruit. The NIL deal is being used a lot in the recruiting world, you just don’t know how much of a factor it plays into some of these recruits.”
White said he would root for Arkansas, except when Auburn plays the Razorbacks. The two teams are scheduled to play at Auburn on Sept. 21.
“I think the Hogs will be fine,” White said. “I am still going to cheer for them until I play against them. I think Coach Pittman is a great coach and a great guy, so I think they will be fine.”
--Jeff Halpern
