Punter Gavin Rush commits to Arkansas as preferred walk-on

Rush, a five-star prospect and the fifth-ranked punter in the country according to Kohl’s Kicking, chose the Hogs over a scholarship offer from Western Kentucky as well as opportunities from Army and Air Force.

“I am extremely thankful and excited to announce I will be continuing my academic and athletic career, at The University of Arkansas,” Rush wrote. “I would like to thank my coaches, friends, mentors, and especially my family for their unconditional support. A huge thank you to Dawson Zimmerman and Mike McCabe for developing me these past few years.

“Another special thank you to Coach Rathbone, the Page football staff, and all my teammates for pushing me to continually improve. Thank you to Johnny Hekker for being the first to teach me how to punt. You have been my mentor and an amazing role model. I want to thank Coach Fountain, Coach Pittman, Coach White, Coach Norris and the entire Arkansas coaching staff for believing in me and giving me this incredible opportunity.

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

Arkansas has 17 other commitments in the 2025 class, three-star quarterback Grayson Wilson of Conway (Ark.), three-star athlete Quentin Murphy of Little Rock (Ark.) Parkview, three-star running back Markeylin Batton of Atlanta (Texas), three-star wide receiver Antonio Jordan, three-star wide receiver Kamare Williams of West Palm Beach (Fla.) Central, three-star offensive lineman Connor Howes of St. Could (Fla.), three-star offensive lineman Kash Courtney of Carthage (Texas), and three-star offensive lineman Blake Cherry of Owasso (Okla.).

The Razorbacks also have defensive commitments from four-star linebacker Tavion Wallace of Jesup (Ga.) Wayne County, three-star linebacker Jayden Shelton of Dallas (Texas) South Oak Cliff, three-star defensive end Keiundre Johnson of Terrell (Texas), three-star defensive tackle JaQuentin Madison of Alpharetta (Ga.), three-star defensive end Trent Sellers, three-star defensive lineman Caleb Bell of Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton, and three-star safety Taijh Overton of Mobile (Ala.) Williamson. There’s one specialist committed, as well, in Bay St. Louis (Miss.) St. Stanislaus kicker Evan Noel.