ICYMI: Arkansas Signs 1:45 (800) Man Tyrice Taylor From JUCO Ranks

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Back in May, the University of Arkansas announced that they have signed Tyrice Taylor, one of the most coveted JUCO prospects in the country. The now-former Indian Hills CC runner and Jamaica native is expected to have two full years of eligibility for both indoor track and outdoor track, per TFRRS.

A middle distance superstar at the NJCAA level, Tyrice Taylor has run a jaw-dropping personal best time of 1:45.84 for 800 meters. That mark was actually produced last month at the Maryland Qualifier in a field where he was one of five men who ran 1:45 or faster. Taylor has also run 46.27 for 400 meters.

Despite his latest PR coming just a little over a month ago, Taylor has still proven to be an upper-tier half-mile star in the college realm, regardless of division. On his TFRRS profile, Taylor has run under the 1:50 (800) barrier a total 12 times -- and that doesn't even include all of the unattached marks that are recorded separately on his World Athletics page.

Of course, Taylor has proven that he is more than just a great time trial runner over the 800-meter distance. In an era where the men's JUCO level has been producing numerous NCAA middle distance stars, Taylor has still come away with two NJCAA titles over 800 meters in his four appearances on the national stage.

Video via x.com // @IHCCrunning

Earlier this week, the Arkansas men revealed that they have signed a quartet of longer distance standouts from the transfer portal. That group includes Brian Masai (via Akron), Timothy Chesondin (via Akron), Camren Fischer (via Princeton) and Dawson Welch (via Tennessee).

While Taylor isn't expected to produce scoring on the grass, the newest Razorback ace should be a pivotal name who can battle with other SEC stars at the conference and national meet levels. That's especially important given that Sam Whitmarsh, Parvej Khan, Oussama El Bouchayby, Kimar Farquharson and a maybe a few others are evolving into formidable middle distance stars.

The DMR is also an event that Arkansas historically puts plenty of emphasis on each winter. And by adding Taylor to a fully-stacked lineup, the value that he will bring to an often-underrated 800-meter leg of that relay could end up being the key difference in how high the Razorbacks' ceiling can be in that event.