Memphis lineman becomes Arkansas’ first 2019 football commitment.

Defensive lineman Trevis Hopper orally committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday and became Coach Chad Morris’ first pledge for the 2019 football class.

Hopper, 6-3, 268 pounds, of Memphis Central, chose the Hogs over scholarship offers from Tennessee, Clemson, Georgia, Auburn, Louisville, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and others. He and his family visited Fayetteville along with about 30 other top prospects.

“They have great facilities and it’s a great program,” Hopper said. “I was on the bus looking around at everything being built and already built. Academically, I want to major in business, and it’s a great program in order for me to accomplish that goal.”

ESPN rates Hopper a three-star prospect, the No. 22 defensive tackle and the No. 300 overall prospect for the 2019 class.

Hopper’s family was happy with his decision.

“That’s why I brought them along with me so they could see it,” Hopper said. “After they saw it, they’re feeling it, too.”

He embraced the chance to become the Hogs’ first commitment for the 2019 class.

“I consider myself a leader, so if I have to be the first one to do and they can follow, I’ll continue that path through college,” Hopper said.

Hopper wants to lead by example and encourage his future teammates to be their best.

“Make sure I’m on point, be early for practice and be the last one to leave and the first one there,” Hopper said. “If there’s a situation going on, let’s squash it right here. Let’s make this program what it already is, but greater.”

Fayetteville recently was named the fifth-best place to live in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, something Hopper noticed.

“Once I came out here, I instantly had a home feeling,” Hopper said. “Fayetteville is the fifth-best city where to live. Once I saw everything, it backed that up and I said OK.”

Oral commitments are nonbinding.

PLEASANT VISIT

The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville already was in good shape with receiver Dylan Wright prior to his visit to Fayetteville on Saturday, but the Hogs appear to be in better shape afterward.

He felt at home with the coaching staff and enjoyed seeing the passion of the Razorbacks fans.

“It was like a whole bunch of family, and the fan base is crazy,” Wright said. “Like we went and ate, and they knew who I was. It was crazy. It was a great experience. It’s something I’ve never seen before.”

Wright, 6-3, 188, of West Mesquite, Texas, has more than 30 scholarship offers from schools such as Arkansas, Texas, Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Texas A&M, Georgia, Michigan, LSU and others.

He made an unofficial visit for last year’s TCU game in Fayetteville.

“I already know how the games are going to be,” Wright said. “The fan base is crazy.”

ESPN rates Wright a fourstar prospect, the No. 28 wide receiver and the No. 150 overall prospect for the 2019 class. He has raved about his relationship with receivers coach Justin Stepp and has said Stepp is like a brother to him.

“They’re already one of my top schools,” he said. “It just showed me more about the school. It was nothing but positive. Me and Coach Stepp already know how it’s going to go down.”

The visit to Fayetteville won’t be Wright’s last.

“I’m going to come down there for a practice,” Wright said. “I’m going to try and come down more often though.”

When told he seemed to be very high on Arkansas, Wright explained his thinking.

“They’re high,” Wright said. “They’re not on the bottom, and they’re for sure not in the middle.”

Wright said Morris made sure he knew he was a wanted man at Arkansas.

“He just told me I was a priority, and I need to get down there and if I come down we can do big stuff,” he said.

Email Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Hopper