The University of Arkansas received its 17th football commitment Tuesday night and that number should increase to 18 by this afternoon.

Lafayette County tight end/defensive end Rickey Hughey (6-foot-6, 225 pounds) decided Tuesday that he wanted to stay instate and be a Razorback.

"We talked it over this (Tuesday) afternoon and he called (Arkansas assistant) coach (Bobby Allen) and left him a message," Lafayette County head coach Jeff McBride said. "Then in the last couple of hours they have talked and he is officially committed."

The Razorbacks are expected to land their 18th commitment today when Gainesville (Fla.) High defensive tackle Kevin Lowery (6-3, 285) plans to call the Razorbacks staff and give a verbal pledge.

"His plan is to call the coaches on Wednesday and let them know he is ready to commit," Gainesville head coach Ryan Smith said Tuesday night. "He is a very powerful, very athletic lineman who is really, really aggressive and has a great motor."