Three-star defensive lineman James Stewart made it official Monday morning, picking the Razorbacks over a handful of other programs and giving Arkansas its 14th verbal commitment in the class of 2027.
Stewart, who plays at Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro, Tenn., posted his decision on his X account.
Multiple media outlets in Arkansas have also reported the news.
The 6-foot-1, 285-pound lineman has an 87 grade from 247Sports and ranks 109th among interior defensive linemen nationally in the 2027 class.
Before landing on Arkansas, Stewart had been weighing offers from Illinois and Memphis as his other top options.
Boston College, Maryland, Colorado, Tulane and several others had also extended offers to the Tennessee prospect.
The decision came about a week after Stewart wrapped up an official visit to Fayetteville that ran May 29-31.
He told Daniel Fair at HawgBeat.com that Fayetteville felt more like home than he’d expected with the city, the environment and the comfort he felt with the coaching staff all played into his choice.
His comfort with defensive line coach Landius Wilkerson was a major factor.
Stewart told Fair that Wilkerson kept things completely honest with him from start to finish, and that kind of straight talk meant a great deal throughout his recruitment.
Wilkerson had also recruited Stewart during a previous stint at Tulane, so the two had already built a relationship before the Arkansas offer came.
Danny West at HawgSports.com reported that Stewart had been weighing a potential visit to Boston College this week before ultimately going ahead with his pledge to the Hogs.
West also said the 2027 class now stands at 14 commitments for Ryan Silverfield’s program after a busy stretch that produced four new pledges in a 24-hour window.
Stewart told West he came into his visit expecting something more rural and was caught off guard by what he found in Northwest Arkansas.
He said the program backs up what it tells recruits rather than just saying the right things, and that genuineness made a difference.
He ranks 36th among all 2027 prospects in Tennessee regardless of position, per 247Sports.
The 2027 Arkansas class now includes commitments at multiple positions across the offensive and defensive lines, linebacker, running back, wide receiver, cornerback, tight end and specialist spots.
Stewart joins fellow defensive linemen Eli Thornton of Valley View and Keith Richmond of Clay-Chalkville (Ala.) in the group.
