Razorbacks land Texas cornerback Catlin IV during weekend visit

Arkansas added another piece to its 2027 recruiting class on Saturday. Denton (Texas) Ryan cornerback John Catlin IV announced his commitment to the Razorbacks on Instagram while he was in town for his official visit. He’s the 17th player to join the Hogs’ class for next year.

Catlin stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 167 pounds. He’s a three-star recruit with an 87 grade from 247Sports. That ranking puts him 70th among all cornerbacks in the country and 96th overall in the talent-rich state of Texas.

Football runs in the family for Catlin. His brother is Ja’Tavion Sanders, a tight end for the Carolina Panthers who earned All-Big 12 honors twice while playing at Texas. That kind of bloodline gives Arkansas fans plenty of reason to get excited about this pickup.

Several big programs wanted Catlin before he picked Arkansas. His offer list included Purdue, BYU, Boston College, Iowa State, UTSA, Boise State and Coastal Carolina. With that kind of attention, the Hogs’ staff had to work for this one.

Catlin explained why he chose Arkansas in his own words. “For me, it was really the love coach Silverfield gave me and the whole staff, they talked good ball with me,” he said. He added that the coaches “talked a lot about the development part, and how they are going to develop me as a man and a player.” Catlin also said, “Who doesn’t want to be developed in the SEC? It’s the best you can get out of college football, and I genuinely felt like Arkansas was my home.”

Catlin brings ball-hawking skills to secondary

On the field, Catlin showed he can make plays last season. Through 12 games as a junior, he racked up 31 total tackles, including 26 solo stops. He also picked off two passes and recovered a fumble, according to MaxPreps.

This commitment helps push Arkansas up the recruiting charts. The Razorbacks’ 2027 class now sits 33rd in the nation and 10th in the SEC. Every new pledge matters when it comes to building depth for future seasons.

Catlin joins a defensive group that already includes interior linemen Eli Thornton and James Stewart along with edge rusher Keith Richmond, linebacker Will Caston and cornerback Zy’Corius Huzzie. The class also has two specialists committed in kicker Rocco DePrima and punter Declan Hamm.

On offense, Arkansas has nine commits so far. That group features quarterback Cason Myers, running back Jeremiah Dent, wide receivers Jabari Watkins and Darion Moseley, tight end Parker Keenan, and offensive linemen Odaefe Oruru, Bradley Sturdivant, Henry Frazier and Teagan Parizek.

The Hogs aren’t done hosting visitors this weekend either. Running backs Aymaud Sykes and Tylek Lewis are in town, along with cornerback Kevin Grant, safety Jameer Cantrell and defensive lineman Jayden Agberodiola. More news could be coming soon for Arkansas’ growing class.