The Arkansas Razorbacks added another valuable piece to their 2026 recruiting class Friday, securing a commitment from Pflugerville (Texas) tight end Jaivion Martin. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound prospect becomes the 14th verbal pledge in a class that is beginning to show early signs of depth and balance under head coach Sam Pittman.
Martin’s decision follows an unofficial visit to Fayetteville earlier this spring. He is scheduled to return for an official visit on June 13. Despite scheduling other visits with Houston and Arizona, Martin opted to commit early, citing strong connections with the Arkansas coaching staff.
“There is a lot of reasons why I picked Arkansas, but the most important one is the coaching staff,” Martin said. “I have a good relationship with all of them and Coach Sam Pittman. They also connected with my family.”
High Ceiling
Martin is considered a high-upside player at a position of growing importance in Arkansas’ offense. Rated a three-star prospect with an 89 grade by 247Sports, he ranks No. 17 nationally among tight ends and No. 44 overall in Texas. The 247Sports Composite places him No. 20 at tight end and 60th overall in the state.
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Arkansas has seen considerable roster churn at tight end in recent months. Starter Luke Hasz transferred to Ole Miss, while two other players were dismissed from the program. With the Razorbacks frequently using multiple tight end sets, Martin’s commitment fills a key need. The staff also added transfers Rohan Jones and Jaden Platt, while freshman Gavin Garretson was moved to tight end from the defensive line.
Development Track Record a Key Factor
One of the most compelling factors in Martin’s decision appears to be the reputation of Arkansas tight ends coach Morgan Turner. During his tenure at Stanford, Turner played a significant role in developing several NFL-caliber tight ends, including Zach Ertz, Dalton Schultz, Austin Hooper, and Coby Fleener.
“Coach Turner is a very good coach and has done a lot of good things,” Martin said. “I believe he will be able to develop me into a high prospect tight end.”
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Turner’s development track record has become an asset for Arkansas on the recruiting trail, particularly at a position that often requires technical refinement and physical maturity before contributing at the next level.
Building a Balanced 2026 Class
Martin joins an Arkansas 2026 recruiting class that is gaining national attention. Offensive commits include quarterback Jayvon Gilmore, receiver Dequane Prevo, and fellow tight end Kade Bush. On defense, Arkansas has landed prospects such as edge rusher Colton Yarbrough, defensive tackle Carnell Jackson, and multiple defensive backs.
As of this week, Arkansas ranks 16th nationally and third in the SEC in the Composite rankings for 2026, with 247Sports placing the class at No. 12. After back-to-back finishes outside the top 25, the Razorbacks are positioning themselves for a more competitive cycle. Whether this early momentum carries through the fall remains to be seen, but for now, Arkansas is trending upward.
