Ashbrook linebacker Caleb Gordon, one of North Carolina’s top rising senior defenders, is headed to the SEC. The three-star prospect from Gastonia committed to Arkansas on Tuesday following an official visit to the Fayetteville campus over the weekend.
“The visit was great,” Gordon told Pig Trail Nation, which follows Arkansas Razorbacks sports. “From the time I got here till the time I left – great coaches, great staff … Definitely looking forward to coming back.”
Gordon had previously indicated plans to commit to a college program later in the summer. But the Arkansas visit “opened my eyes” and he pulled the trigger for the Razorbacks over 17 other Division I offers, including from North Carolina, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech.
Gordon had a monster junior season at Ashbrook, collecting Big South 3A Defensive Player of the Year honors. He recorded 141 tackles, including 49 solo hits. He also had eight tackles for loss, four sacks, two interceptions and pair of fumble recoveries.
Gordon is listed as the No. 56 player in North Carolina by 247Sports.com. His commitment to Arkansas, combined with another big season for the Green Wave, could move him rapidly up those rankings in the months ahead.
In addition to the warm welcome from coaches, taking in the view from the top of Razorback Stadium helped tip the scales in favor of Arkansas, Gordon said.
“I’m not used to the SEC, so that was definitely a change for me,” he told Pig Trail Nation. “I really didn’t know this visit would go like this. It really opened my eyes to Arkansas, for sure.”
Gordon is the third North Carolina player to announce an early commitment to an SEC program, joining Grimsley quarterback Faizon Brandon (Tennessee) and Hough wideout Tyran Evans (Tennessee).
ASHBROOK 3⭐️LB CALEB GORDON ON HIS OFFICIAL VISIT
AT ARKANSAS UNIVERSITY🐗@calebgordon_5 @AshbrookFB2021 pic.twitter.com/FMYpTzPq7G — NC HIGHSCHOOL SPORTS PAGE (@nchssportspage) June 1, 2025
📊Caleb Gordon | Arkansas Razorbacks commit
🧩 Position: Linebacker
📍 Hometown: Gastonia
🎓 High School: Ashbrook Green Wave
🧢 High School Coach: Darius James
📏 Height/Weight: 6-0, 217
🏅 247Sports Ranking: Gordon is listed as a three-star prospect, the No. 56 prospect in North Carolina and the No. 134 linebacker nationally
🎯 Offers/Interest: Arkansas moved quickly up Gordon’s list after an official visit to Fayetteville, Ark. over the weekend. He also has visits scheduled for Virginia and Liberty this month. Overall, he reported 18 Division I offers, including Appalachian State, Charlotte, East Carolina, North Carolina and Gardner-Webb in-state. He also had offers from Virginia Tech, Pitt, Old Dominion, Memphis, Marshall, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Coastal Carolina, Clemson and Austin Peay.
🎥 View Caleb Gordon’s Hudl highlights HERE
💪 Career Rewind: The Big South 3A Defensive Player of the Year averaged 10.8 tackles per game for an Ashbrook stopping unit that allowed fewer than two touchdowns per game. Gordon has played varsity football since his freshman year, amassing 303 career tackles.
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