Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Arkansas has added its 11^th commitment to the Class of 2013 with the addition of linebacker Myke Tavarres.

Tavarres, a sophomore at College of the Siskiyous in Weed, Calif., chose Arkansas over Arizona. He also had offers to Nevada, Oregon State, Purdue, Rutgers and Texas Tech.

Tavarres took an official visit to Arkansas a week ago. Arizona was closer to his home in Oregon, but in the end distance wasn't the deciding factor.

“I based my decision off the people there, the atmosphere and where I was the most comfortable,” Tavarres said. “I had little kids coming up to me at Arkansas wanting my picture. I knew after my visit to Arkansas that was where I was going.”

As a freshman, Tavarres had 51 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and one interception. Tavarres was recruited to Arkansas by Kris Cinkovich with help from Taver Johnson, who will coach Tavarres when he gets to Arkansas.

“I will be spending most of my time with him,” Tavarres said. “We already have a good relationship and it makes it that much better for me to want to play for him.”

Tavarres, 6 foot 2, 225 pounds, with 4.55 time in the 40-yard dash, will graduate in December and enroll at Arkansas in January. He is an outside linebacker who will get a chance to play immediately for the Razorbacks.

“I can make plays from sideline to sideline,” Tavarres said. “I have great speed so I can make plays. I'm fast and good at getting to the ball.”

Tavarres was leaning toward Arizona before his official visit to Arkansas, but once he made the trip to Fayetteville it was an easy decision for him.

“After the visit, I came home and talked to my family,” Tavarres said. “We knew they would have to get on a plane to come see me play at Arkansas or at Arizona so the distance wasn't a factor. It was just everything about Arkansas including the fans, they are great, that made the difference for me.”

Tavarres is the second linebacker to commit to Arkansas, joining Fayetteville 3-star Brooks Ellis, 6-2, 215. Ellis, who rated an 89 from 247Sports, the highest 3-star possible, had 130 tackles as a sophomore and 86 as a junior while helping lead Fayetteville to the Class 7A state championship.

Arkansas has also picked up three commitments at safety. Tulsa Booker T. Washington's Dominique Alexander, 6-1, 185, Fayetteville's Alex Brignoni, 6-1, 195, and Edmond (Okla.) Santa Fe's Khari Harding, 6-1, 213, all have said yes to Arkansas offers. Brignoni had 124 tackles and 10 interceptions last season.