Reports: Arkansas Razorbacks recruits key player as their top choice for walk-on position

On Wednesday, punter Gavin Rush of Franklin (Tennessee) Page announced his college decision. Rush is a major addition to Arkansas’ Class of 2025 roster as a preferred walk-on. As a result of a chance he had last month at a camp exercise in Fayetteville (Ark.) with special teams coordinator Scott Fountain, Rush (6-3, 180) decided to play for the Razorbacks. The Hogs were able to entice five-star punter prospect Rush—who was ranked fifth in the nation by Kohl’s Kicking—despite scholarship offers from Western Kentucky, the Air Force, and the Army.

“I am extremely thankful and excited to announce I will be continuing my academic and athletic career, at The University of Arkansas,” he said. Everyone who has ever supported me—coaches, friends, mentors, and most of all, family—has my eternal gratitude. Thanks a ton to Dawson Zimmerman and Mike McCabe, who have been instrumental in my growth over the last several years.

“I’d also like to extend my gratitude to Coach Rathbone, the rest of the Page football staff, and my teammates for always challenging me to do better. My initial instruction in punting came from Johnny Hekker, and I am eternally grateful to him. You have been an incredible inspiration to me and a tutor to me. I am incredibly grateful to Coach Norris, Coach White, Coach Pittman, and Coach Fountain, along with the rest of the Arkansas coaching staff, for having faith in me and providing me with this amazing opportunity.

“Lastly, I would like to thank my parents for sacrificing the world so that I could chase my dream of playing D1 football.”

In the 2025 class, Arkansas will also have 17 other commitments. Among them are quarterback Grayson Wilson of Conway, athlete Quentin Murphy of Little Rock Parkview, running back Markeylin Batton of Atlanta, wide receiver Antonio Jordan, wide receiver Kamare Williams of West Palm Beach Central, offensive lineman Connor Howes of St. Could, offensive lineman Kash Courtney of Carthage, and offensive lineman Blake Cherry of Owasso.

Tavion Wallace, a four-star linebacker from Jesup, Georgia, Wayne County, Jayden Shelton, a three-star linebacker from Dallas, Texas, South Oak Cliff, Keiundre Johnson, a three-star defensive end from Terrell, Texas, JaQuentin Madison, a three-star defensive tackle from Alpharetta, Georgia, Trent Sellers, a three-star defensive end from Alpharetta, Milton, Georgia, and Taijh Overton, a three-star safety from Mobile, Alabama, Williamson, are all defensive commitments for the Razorbacks. Evan Noel, the kicker at Bay St. Louis (Missouri) St. Stanislaus, is also a specialist.