LITTLE ROCK — Linebacker Jakarri Thomas verbally committed to Arkansas on Wednesday, giving the Razorbacks their eighth commitment of the 2012 class.
Thomas (6-foot-1, 185 pounds) chose Arkansas over other offers from Stanford, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Illinois, Memphis and others. He has started since his freshman year at Godby High School in Tallahassee, Fla.
As a junior, Thomas recorded 111 tackles, nine sacks and three fumble recoveries.
“He’s very fast, athletic,” CBS national recruiting analyst Tom Lemming said. “He’s coming on strong. He wasn’t a big name earlier but now he’s becoming a fairly big name. He comes from a very good program. He’s big time guy. I think the thing they like about him the most is that he can run.”
In addition to football, Thomas is also a track and field standout. He has a recorded an 11.40-second, 100-yard dash, a 23.76-second, 200-yard dash and a 21-foot, 9-inch long jump.
Godby head coach Ronnie Cottrell, who has coached at Alabama and Florida State, said the Hogs got a commitment from a very special player and praised Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson for his recruiting efforts with Thomas.
Thomas is the second linebacker to commit to the Razorbacks in the 2012 class, joining East Poinsett County's A.J. Turner.
Verbal commitments are non-binding.
Matt Jones contributed to this story. For more read Thursday's edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.