Arkansas Business

Arkansas completed its Class of 2012 today when 3-star wide receiver MeKale McKay of Moore High School in Louisville, Ky., signed with Arkansas Thursday morning.

McKay, 6-foot-6, 190 pounds, picked the Razorbacks over Ole Miss. McKay had originally committed to UTEP, but backed off Jan. 31, one day before he was scheduled to sign. McKay plans to play football and basketball and has received clearance from coaches Bobby Petrino and Mike Anderson to play both sports at Arkansas. McKay would be on a football scholarship.

“Football is my first sport,” McKay said before Thursday's announcement. “Basketball didn't impact my decision too much.”

Recruiting website 247Sports gave McKay an 89 grade, the highest 3-star rating possible. He's rated the No. 2 player in Kentucky and No. 48 wide receiver in the nation. McKay visited Arkansas on Feb. 25 and was at Ole Miss, rebuilding under first-year coach Hugh Freeze, the previous weekend.

McKay gave no public statement on where he would attend college before Thursday's press conference, but did provide a strong hint in a recent comment.

“I want to compete for a national championship,” McKay said.

Arkansas is expected to be among the top teams in the nation next season after finishing No. 5 in the polls in 2011. McKay also had offers from Cincinnati, Georgia State, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisville and the University of Central Florida.

11th Hour

Arkansas held its second Junior Day last weekend and added another commitment from Texas.

The Razorbacks have two commitments from Texas, Katy Cinco Ranch 4-star running back Jamel James (5-11, 215) and Manvel 3-star wide receiver Austin Bennett (5-11½, 162). James committed to Arkansas last summer after attending a football camp there July 16. Bennett committed to Arkansas on Saturday while in Fayetteville attending the Junior Day.

Arkansas may have a third commitment pending, but not from Texas. The Razorbacks offered LaMirada (Calif.) 3-star middle linebacker Koa Kaleoppa (6-3, 260, 4.8 in the 40-yard dash) a scholarship Wednesday following his visit to Saturday's Junior Day.

Kaleoppa also has offers to Colorado and California. Kaleoppa is said to be leaning towards the Razorbacks. He and his brother arrived in Fayetteville on Friday. It was their first visit to Arkansas and Kaleoppa said he was impressed by what the school has to offer.