Arkansas has scored a defining recruiting victory, landing 6-foot-3, 217-pound linebacker Jaden “JJ” Bush from Theodore High School in Alabama, choosing the Razorbacks over SEC rivals LSU and Missouri. Bush, a 2026 recruit, had offers from 36 schools but expressed that Arkansas “felt like home” due to their genuine, consistent approach .
🐗 Why Arkansas won the final stretch
Bush told Rivals the coaching staff made him feel like “a true priority,” with clear on‑ and off‑field development plans that set Arkansas apart. He cited coaches Travis Williams, Barry Odom, and especially head coach Sam Pittman as key influences. “They kept it 100 percent real with me from the beginning,” Bush said, crediting Pittman’s down‑to‑earth leadership and authentic concern for players .
Despite LSU generating buzz and Missouri mounting a strong case, Arkansas’ consistency stood out in the final week. Bush admitted the decision solidified just days before his commitment, as his visits to Fayetteville increasingly felt like “home.” He added, “I talked it through with my family, I prayed on it and it just felt right” .
The recruit’s profile
Recruiting services differ slightly on his rating. Rivals lists him as a three‑star and Alabama’s No. 25 overall recruit, while On3 ranks him as a four‑star and No. 370 nationally . His skill set features intriguing traits: excellent range, aggressive tackling, zone‑coverage upside, and special teams potential. Strengths include a “run‑and‑hit” style, effective blitzing, and adequate coverage skills. Scouts urge improvement in vison and play diagnosis, but his frame, athleticism, and physicality mark him as a future impact player .
Bigger picture: what this means for Arkansas
Bush is the Razorbacks’ 25th commitment for 2026, representing their fourth four‑star recruit (according to On3/SI), and second linebacker after Caleb Gordon