4-star WR Ashton Bethel-Roman reportedly released from NLI with Arkansas

Missouri City (Texas) Ridge Point four-star wide receiver Ashton Bethel-Roman has been released from his National Letter of Intent with Arkansas, according to a report from wholehogsports.com’s Christina Long.

Bethel-Roman committed to the Razorbacks on July 4 and signed with the SEC program during the December Signing Period, but is now expected to head elsewhere to begin his college career.

Bethel-Roman is the No. 225 overall prospect and No. 39 WR in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 39 player in Texas.

“One of the biggest reasons why was because it felt like home,” Bethel-Roman told On3 upon his commitment to Sam Pittman and Co. “Coach Kenny and Coach Pitt were the biggest factors in that. I’d think of Coach Pitt like a grandpa and Coach Kenny as that loud uncle … they just felt like family … not to mention the rest of the staff and even the community around Fayetteville that all tied into that.”

Texas Tech and Oregon received official visits from the wideout in June ahead of his commitment to Arkansas. He was the third highest-ranked signee in Arkansas’ 2024 class.

Razorbacks lose major piece in 2024 recruiting class

The loss of Bethel-Roman is a big one for Arkansas’ 2024 recruiting class. He was the Razorbacks’ top offensive pledge in the cycle and one of three WRs in the fold.

With the 6-foot-0.5, 160-pounder now likely headed elsewhere, Arkansas’ class now features just three four-stars: Pine Bluff (Ark.) Wilbur D. Mills four-star defensive lineman Charleston Collins, Temple (Texas) Lake Belton four-star cornerback Selman Bridges and Hoover (Ala.) four-star linebacker Bradley Shaw.

The class now ranks No. 30 in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. That’s good for just No. 15 in the SEC, ahead of only Vanderbilt.