After holding its breath through the Early Signing Period and the month of January, Arkansas can now take in a sigh of relief as Ashdown (Ark.) four-star tight end Shamar Easter is now officially signed with the Razorbacks.

Other programs initiated contact as the Early Signing Period approached in late December, and while there was some hesitation from the big-bodied pass-catcher, Arkansas was able to slam the door in early January and secure an affirmation of his commitment on Jan. 15.

South Carolina provided the biggest push after Easter’s main recruiter at Arkansas, tight ends coach Dowell Loggains, was named offensive coordinator for the Gamecocks. Easter took a visit in January to Colombia before returning to Fayetteville and re-affirming his pledge to the Razorbacks.

Easter is Arkansas’ highest-ranked prospect in the Razorbacks’ 2023 class, as the 6-foot-5, 214-pounder joins a couplet of tight ends signed in the cycle for Sam Pittman. Also included in that duo is Bixby (Okla.) four-star Luke Hasz who also gave some late pause in his recruitment amid a push from Alabama in December, but the Oklahoma native shut things down and signed with the Razorbacks on Dec. 21.

The signature from Easter helps Arkansas secure the top-ranked prospect from the state of Arkansas for the third consecutive cycle. as the Razorbacks continue to enjoy one of the top in-state recruiting lands in the country.

At 6-foot-5, 214 pounds, Easter is ranked as the No. 193 prospect in the country for the class of 2023, according to Rivals. He is the No. 1 recruit from the state of Arkansas and the No. 10 tight end in the country.