Commitment Breakdown: Arkansas lands Texas DT Taurean Carter

Arkansas' surprising run in recruiting continued on Wednesday night when three-star Mansfield (Texas) Legacy defensive tackle Taurean Carter committed to the Hawgs over Michigan State, Wisconsin and several others. The commitment ends a months-long flirtation between the two sides and allows the Hawgs coaches and fans a chance for a sigh of relief after adding a big-time prospect at a position of need. The addition also continues the school's work in the state of Texas, one of the main selling points when Chad Morris was hired as head coach last year.

There's no doubt that in order to compete in the SEC a team has to be good in the trenches and adding a talent like Carter at defensive tackle is always a plus. What makes Carter's situation unique is that he will be joining his high school teammate Enoch Jackson along the defensive line in Fayetteville. The two are already quite the pair in high school and are set to team up again in college. If all goes to plan, they won't be the only Legacy stars suiting up for Arkansas next season, as uncommitted four-star defensive back Jalen Catalon is also still strongly considering the Hawgs. Effectively recruiting Texas is important at Arkansas and Morris and his staff continue to show they can reach into the state successfully.

Carter has flirted with several other programs during the process and listed the Badgers and Spartans as his finalists. Even though both gave chase and had his attention, it was always going to be an uphill battle to pull him out of Texas all the way up to Big 10 country. Nevertheless, both will still have to look elsewhere and it's not like it's easy to find a player of Carter's size and skillset. Texas Tech was also a factor, especially during the spring when the Red Raiders hosted him for an official visit, but both sides moved on awhile back.