Arkansas Football Class of 2011 Projections/Profiles

[Tomhog™]

FOOTBALL

   Pos  Signed             ESPN 24/7 Rivals   Scout      Stats             Hometown           Status
3. DT Robert Thomas       NR    86    3*        3*       6'1", 310,         Coffeyville, KS       enrolled
2011 impact: backup
Robert originally signed with Arkansas in the class of 2009.  The Muskogee, OK defensive tackle wasn't being courted by the main in-state schools due to being an academic risk.  The recruiting battle was therefore waged between KSU and Arkansas.  After committing to the Wildcats, Petrino was able to flip him to the Hogs.  Soon after it became evident that he would have to go the JUCO route.  After redshirting the 2009 season, Robert (as a member of the Coffeyville Community College Red Ravens squad) Thomas amassed 51 total tackles, 19 unassisted.  He also had 4.5 sacks, 2 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, and a blocked kick.  Thomas committed to Arkansas really early in the process, so he didn't received a lot of offers.  The 6'1" DT has increased his weight to 340, so will likely have to work hard in the off-season to get to the weight Petrino wants.  To his advantage, he is already enrolled at Arkansas and will participate in workouts and spring practice.  He has unbelieveable strength and is reported to have a 550 lb benchpress.  I expect him to have a role as a backup to the starting tackles his first year and develop into a starter his last two as a run-stopping NG.  He will have 3 years to play 3 since he redshirted his first year.

10. OT Brey Cook            81+   94    4*      5*       6'7", 298, 5.2     Springdale,AR       enrolled
2011 impact: backup
If you saw this kid play as a freshman and sophomore, you knew he was going to develop into something special.  It didn't take long for colleges to notice and summer before his Junior year he received his first offer from Tulsa.  Then big hitters Oklahoma and Auburn followed up with offers of their own just over a week later.  It was several months later that Arkansas actually offered, but obviously in this case it didn't hurt them.  Eventually, just about every school in the country offered the mammoth OT just a stone's throw away from Fayetteville.  It was nail-biting time the following year as he was to announce to either Arkansas or Oklahoma.  Lots of bad info said he was to be a Sooner.  But on regional television he chose to stay home and be a Hog much to the relief of the Hogville family.  His size (it gets no better than his) and athleticism will allow him to play either LT or RT.  Add to that the fact he is an early enrollee able to go through spring practice and you'll see a true freshman that will likely see playing time.  Almost all linemen need to redshirt, but if Brey is polished enough, he won't have to.  I see him developing into a dominant lineman that will protect his QB and be a likely all-SEC candidate in future years.

16. WR Marquel Wade        74    90      4*      3*       5'11", 180         Milford Acad., NY enrolled
2011 impact: backup
Another player that Arkansas managed to keep though he didn't qualify initially after signing in 2010.  After a year in prep school at Milford Academy, he is ready to don a Razorback uniform and run out the tunnel.  It will be well worth the wait as Wade is an electric play maker that may very well rival Joe Adams in a year or two.  He has been timed at 4.42 in the 40 and has used his speed and agility to not only score passing touchdowns, but kick off and punting touchdowns as well.  Marquel is one of those individuals that believes he is going to score every time the ball is in his hands.  Rivals rated him the #4 prep school player, he averaged 21.7 yards per catch and caught 6 TD passes for the 11-1 squad.  He especially turned it up in his last two games with with 9 catches for 343 yards and 3 TDs. Marquel had a pretty extensive offer list by the likes of South Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Miami (FL), Indiana, and Illinois in addition to the Hogs.  By going to prep school, he got another year to polish his skills and not count against his eligibility.  Marquel is already enrolled at Arkansas so he will get a jump on all the incoming receivers in the Fall class.  He still has 5 years to play 4, but don't count on him using a redshirt year barring injury.  He will no doubt see the field early on special teams thanks to his speed.  He will have tryouts at punt and kick return, but likely would be backup to Adams and Johnson.  He will play a significant role in continuing the dominant passing game year after year.

19. WR Quinta Funderburk  79    90      3*      4*      6'3", 205, 4.5         Chesapeake, VA   enrolled
2011 impact: backup
Can you say underrated by the recruiting services?  Yes, Scout has him at a 4*, and maybe that is fair, but look at his offer list and his measureables.  The low ratings could have come from poor showing at a couple of camps that the recruiting services attended.  Dropping from a Rivals 250 to a 3* is nothing short of a plummet.  This is not a player that has been talked about a lot, but he is a real producer on the field.  His height will clearly create mismatches with most DBs, and he's no string-bean weighing over 200 lbs.  He possesses excellent hands and has a great ability to adjust in the air to the ball.  He very much fits in the mold of a Greg Childs and a Marcus Monk.  We all know how great a career these two have had at Arkansas.  I truly believe he is one of the best receivers in the country this class.  He won't need a redshirt year to build up to SEC size, so don't expect him to stand idle on the sidelines in 2011.  It's a pretty safe bet considering how few WRs actually redshirt under Petrino.  Also, being enrolled early and able to go through spring practice gives him an edge along with Marquel.  This is one of those players that you watch video of and ask how they can not be rated a 5*.  Look at the offers: Alabama, Florida, USC, Michigan, Penn State, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, among others.  Every school in the country would have been thrilled to land such a dynamic play maker already possessing SEC size.  Playing for the Oscar Smith Tigers, he caught 65 passes for 1,464 yards (a smooth 22.5 ypc) and 15 TDs.  Quinta will flourish in a Petrino led pro-style offense.  He will make any QB look better than they are and will make catches he probably shouldn't have.  I expect him to be another all-SEC type player if the folks selecting the teams will open their eyes to the Arkansas receivers.  He will work his way into the starting lineup in 2012 and stay there the rest of his college eligibility.

23.  LB Tyler Gilbert           45    80      2*       2*      6'3", 245, 4.5    Charlotte, NC      enrolled
2011 impact: backup/redshirt
Arkansas needed help in the linebacker department and got a good one in under-the-radar Tyler Gilbert.  Originally heading to Auburn out of high school, Tyler learned he had to attend prep school before joining a BCS school.  So the River Ridge, LA athlete headed northeast to attend North Carolina Tech Prep School.  After a relatively quiet 60 tackle season and keeping academics a priority, he is now enrolled at Arkansas.  Tyler is another that received the double benefit of an extra season of football without burning a year of eligibility and the ability to enroll early to attend spring practice.  That comination makes chances of a redshirt more slim.  6'3", 245 and a 4.5 forty time is a pretty rare combination.  It's surprising more schools were not in the hunt for his signature.  The highly coveted Anthony Wallace that the Hogs were in on to the end has very similar numbers.  If Petrino offered Tyler, then you can bet there isn't much wrong with his motor, drive, or intelligence. Tyler could end up being one of the most underrated signees of the class.  He could even grow into a fast rushing DE in a couple of years if he outgrows the LB position.  I don't see all-SEC teams in his future, but I can see him develop into a solid starter and major contributor to the defensive effort.

30.  S  Brett Weir           45    81      NR       NR     6'5", 220, 4.39   London, Ontario  HS
2011 impact: redshirt
Brett is the first Arkansas signee I can recall from Canada.  Every year, Petrino and staff tirelessly search the country for the best athlete that fits their game.  Every now and then, they search beyond the borders of the country.  Each year, John L. Smith spends time in Canada, looking for an elite athlete that could translate to the SEC.  The first couple of years, there were none found.  That changed this year with Brett Weir.  Brett has the rare combination of size and speed.  He was a do it all for St. Thomas Aquinas school he attended.  Being the best athlete, he played QB and passed for 2,000 yards and ran for another 1,000.  He also did their punting.  At Arkansas, the plan is to play him at safety, though at some point he could be mobed to LB, or even DE if he adds weight.  If his hands are solid enough, there is even a chance at WR.  His speed is so good that there is no doubt at some point he will find a position and excel there.  I project him to redshirt this year as he will likely have the biggest learning curve transitioning to NCAA football from Canadian football with different rules.  But, there is always the chance of him playing instantly in special teams.  This class has several speedy signees to choose from, and no doubt one or more will see the field.  Arkansas will gain some international fans with the addition of Weir.  This is truly a way to build a program and have a more national exposure.  Petrino's plan is slowly unfolding and the Hogs are developing into the powerhouse program we have all wanted for decades now.  Brett will likely start slow his first couple of years, but will develop in his last few into a formidable player that Hog fans will remember fondly for years to come.

28.  WR Kane Whitehurst    NR     76      3*       NR      6'0", 175, 4.45    Alpharetta, GA    HS
2011 impact: redshirt
Once again Petrino finds what appears to be another steal in this class.  Kane was overlooked at the WR position by the BCS schools while his pals were getting better offers.  The chip was placed on his shoulder and he went out and had a spectacular senior season.  He ended up with 2,234 all-purpose years with 24 touchdowns, 17 of which were receptions.  His Joe Adams-like performances helped lead his team to an undefeated 15-0 record.  Kane isn't just straight-line fast, he also has an elusiveness that can't be taught.  He is an excellent addition to an already talented class of receivers.  After watching his video, it's hard to believe that in-state Georgia passed on him and only schools like Troy, Eastern Michigan, and Western Carolina offered.  It is players like Kane that will keep Arkansas from having perinneal top 10 recruiting classes, but more importantly it's players like him that will keep the Hogs in the top 10 discussion during football season.  Kane will likely redshirt as there are incoming freshmen with speed like him, but with more SEC-like size.  There is always a chance he could turn heads and see playing time at either WR or on special teams.  He will develop into not only a deep threat in the SEC, but also one that has to be accounted for on short slants as he can make defenders look plain silly.

25.  OT Jason Peacock       NR    83      3*       3*      6'5", 325, 5.0    Glendora, CA       enrolled
2011 impact:backup/starter
Arkansas signed a class full of size and speed, but none are thicker than community college transfer Jason Peacock.  Standing at 6'5" and a hefty 325 pounds, even SEC ends will have a hard time finding a way around him.  Jason was a standout All-State lineman for Baldwin High School in Milledgeville, GA, he went on to earn Second Team All Central Conference for Citrus College in Azuza, California.  Jason will be another bonus-time addition for Arkansas as he will be able to participate in spring drills.  Although he didn't enroll with the other early enrollees, he did get registered for class on February 12th and is working out with the team.  Arkansas is in bad need of help at the OT position and got one that should log significant playing time, even work his way into starting early.  With the departures of Love and Dominguez, OT is the thinnest position on the field.  Peacock will be looked to as a quick replacement at a time when you can't afford to redshirt all your linemen.  Between Cook and Peacock, the loss will be lessened as both with play early and often.  ESPN's Chris Low even went so far to say that Jason could turn into a game changer like Auburn's Fairley.  Jason played both seasons at his junior college and Petrino has no plans to redshirt him, so even though he has 3 years to play two, he will exhaust eligibility in two years.  Hopefully he will develop into the all-SEC tackle we want him to.  Other offers included Mississippi State, Houston, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.

[Tomhog™]

7. OG Mitch Smothers     81+    95    3*       4*       6'4", 290,          Springdale, AR      HS
2011 impact: redshirt
Mitch is a guy I would go down any dark alley knowing he had my back.  He very much looks the part of a nasty SEC offensive lineman.  He was given very high ratings out of 24/7, ESPN, and scout.  He was also selected to play in the Under Armor All Star game (and even started for the white team).  In fact, 24/7 rated Mitch the #75 player in the nation and #1 in the state of Arkansas over Cook, Frazier, and Allen.  ESPN has him the #66 overall recruit (#3 OG) of the 2011 class.  He And Brey are likely the best linemen to come out of Arkansas since Lee Ziemba.  Recruiting expert Max Emfinger says Mitch and Brey are the #1 and #2 best offensive linemen in the entire country.  His offer list was very impressive as Alabama, Auburn, Oklahoma State, UCLA, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Kentucky, Missouri, and Kansas all attempted to Woo him from Pig Sooie.  But they couldn't take the hog call out of him and on June 1st he pledged to be a Razorback.  True to his word, he signed with the Hogs on NSD.  As big and bad as he is, I still believe he will redshirt his true freshman year.  Arkansas isn't going to be thin at guard like tackle, so the opportunity won't be there quite as readily as it will be for Brey.  Remember Alvin Bailey?  He was amazing as a true freshman, but the staff could afford the redshirt even though the temptation was great to play him.  Outside of multiple injuries at the guard position, we probably won't see him hit the field until 2012.  Mitch will help shore up the stalwart that will protect future QBs and allow running lanes for the backs.  He will develop into a starter and excel on the field of play for 2-3 years.

22. ATH Rohan Gaines        78    78      3*       2*      6'1", 180          Bainbridge, GA     HS
2011 impact: redshirt
A hard-nosed worker on both sides of the ball, this Bainbridge athlete obviously impressed Petrino enough to warrant an early offer.  There is very little discussion of this signee as there are many signees in this class that are rated higher.  This leads me to believe he could be one of the surprise picks of the class.  Not a whole lot is expected, so a breakout performance would make him the surprise player of the class.  In high school, he played multiple positions, including QB.  On defense, he recorded 59 tackles and 1 interception through 8 games.  His season was shortened due to injury.  A cousin of former Razorback great DT Malcolm Sheppard (a 2006 Bainbridge grad), he has the bloodlines to become an impact Hog.  Bainbridge is also where Ray Dominguez went to school.  He is projected to play safety at Arkansas with a possibility of growing into a LB.  Either position will suit him fine as he is an individual that lives for contact and loves making hard hits, much like our very own Jerico Nelson.  I expect Petrino to give him a year to strengthen, grow, and adapt to SEC football.  He only had offers to Middle Tennessee, Georgia State, and Georgia Southern.  Hopefully Petrino saw something in him the other BCS coaches didn't.  A long term project, Arkansas will have him on the sidelines for 5 years, where he will see time mainly as a backup and possible develop into a mature starter in his last year or two.

31.  FB   Kiero Small           NR    NR      NR       NR     5'10", 255, 4.7  Salinas, CA          JC
2011 impact: starter
It took years to develop Van Stumon into the player we all expected him to become.  Now that he's gone, there was a gaping hole left at fullback for Knile Davis to continue his pursuit of being the best RB in the SEC.  Coach Petrino found his solution to the void in Kiero Small.  Even though it was very late in the process and he had no offers to any other BCS school, you'd think the head coach had landed a much sought after 4* recruit.  His statement that the staff has looked for a player like this for three years speaks volumes as to how critical a piece he will be for 2011.  Not qualifying at a high school in Baltimore, MD, Kiero entered prep school.  Once again he failed to qualify.  Having grown frustrated, he gave up playing for a couple of years.  Just over two years ago he decided to give football another try and enrolled at Hartnell College in Salinas, CA.  The difference was remarkable.  Not only did he lead the team in 2009 with 109 tackles as a LB, he followed that up in 2010 leading the team with 120 tackles.  This desire to hit will no doubt translate well to the FB position, where you have to have a defensive mindset.  Most importantly, he earned a 3.5 GPA, more than qualifying him for the SEC and Arkansas.  When Arkansas came calling, the other schools like Cal, Washington State, Oregon State, North Texas, and Nevada all become a distant second.  There is no doubt Kiero will be seeing the field plenty over the next two years.  It's great to know Coach Petrino doesn't have to grasp at straws even in late January when it comes to filling up a class and meeting all needs.

29.  DE Trey Flowers          76     77      3*       2*     6'3", 240, 4.8    Huntsville, AL      HS
2011 impact: redshirt
There is a debate where Trey will truly fit in on the Arkansas defense.  Initial projections had him pinned for the DE position.  One day he very well may end up at that position.  As of right now, it appears he is likely headed to the LB corp in the mike position.  After a year or two in the weight room and on the Veltkamp program he may head back to the line.  His speed will need a little work in order to play the mlb more effectively.  The way players have been able to trim time, I don't see this being a problem.  Trey went relatively unknown to the recruiting world until January when he committed to Georgia Tech on a Tuesday.  That weekend, he made a 'secret' trip to Fayetteville to see the campus and facilities.  Georgia Tech is known to remove scholly offers from commits if they visit other schools.  Turns out it didn't matter if they did or not.  He flipped his commitment the following Saturday to the Hogs.  He is already qualified as long as he finishes his credits this year.  He sports a lofty 4.0 GPA with a 22 ACT score.  Trey played high school for Columbia HS in Hunstville, AL.  The team didn't make the playoffs this past season, but not due to his performance.  Trey tallied 127 tackles (25 for a loss), 22 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, and 1 interception.  Don't expect to see him take the field as a true freshman in 2011.  This will give him ample time to hone his skills and grow into whatever position the coaches prefer him at on defense.  He will turn out to be a solid defender, working his way into the starting lineup by his junior year.

5. DL Grady Ollison          77     88    3*       3*       6'5", 280, 4.9     Malvern, AR         HS
2011 impact: redshirt
Grady can play either DE or DT on the next level.  Predicting he will redshirt his freshman year, he will likely be hitting the weights and on an eating plan that would build him up for the DT position.  Grady was an early commitment to the Hogs, choosing to follow in the footsteps of his uncle Tony Ollison (DT as well) )in donning a Razorback uniform.  Due to the ending the process early, and he being a "big" Hog fan, other schools didn't waste their time pursuing him.  His only other reported offers was to Louisiana Tech and Tulsa.  There are some that question his aggresiveness on defense and his motor.  Petrino obviously saw something in Grady that made him believe he would develop into an SEC-quality defensive lineman someday.  I've learned never to question an offer because there is always a strong reason for it whether we can see it or not.  Case in point: during the Bobby Petrino camp June 2010, Grady earned the defensive MVP award.  It shows the potential is there, it just has to be harnessed.  Rivals and Scout evidently likes him too.  He was rated the #5 prospect in the state and the #30 DE in the country on Rivals and the #25 DT in the country on Scout (though Scout has him at 230 pounds instead of 270-280 as reported elsewhere).  There is no doubt a lot of tremendous upside and potential resides in Grady.  It may take a couple of years or more to develop him into a formidable defender ready to take on the likes of Alabama, Auburn, and other vaunted SEC offenses.  I feel out of this class, he will be one of the longer-term projects that will take until his junior or senior year to become a major contributor.  If he doesn't develop the aggression needed, we might not see him on the field very much.

27.  DE Horace Arkadie       76     83     3*        2*    6'4", 227, 4.9     Irving, TX           HS
2011 impact: redshirt
I am always happy to get players out of Texas, regardless of their ratings.  Horace definitely was not wat a powerhouse program, but instead on a team that struggled to win games.  When there are plenty of high rated players at high output schools, it's easy to miss a player like Horace.  I'm not trying to make excuses, but when Petrino offered him long before any of the signing class even had a rating, you know he is high in his book.  Time and again Petrino proves he recruits players that outperform their initial ratings.  I'm sure this will be the case once again.  In fact, many schools offered him early in the process.  Arkansas was joined by Kansas, Virginia, Baylor, Colorado State, Purdue, Tulsa, and Rice in the race for his LOI.  Horace should be a solid contributor at Arkansas over the next 5 years.  At the moment, he is an "inbetweener" that could play either OLB or DE.  The staff has plenty of time over the next year to find the best fit for him.  I can see him possible growing into a Jake Bequette role if he can retain speed as they add pounds to his frame.  We should see 2-3 years of solid contributions to the defense as he lays wood to the opposing QBs.


24.  CB Tevin Mitchel         79    92      4*       4*      6'0", 175, 4.4    Mansfield, TX      HS
2011 impact: reserve
It took over 20 years, but Arkansas finally got Mitchel to sign an LOI to be a Hog.  No, I haven't lost my mind.  I'm actually referring to his father, Eric Mitchel.  Eric was a standout in Pine Bluff and disappointingly signed with the Sooners to play his college years.  Fast forward to 2011, Arkansas gets the next generation as his son has signed on with the Hogs.  Tevin is an outstanding corner back no matter who you talk to.  He had offers to virtually every school in the country.  The Hogs did manage to beat Oklahoma this generation! Tevin was a star at Mansfield High.  He recorded 75 tackles, including 37 unassisted in his senior year.  After his season, he had the honor of playing in the Army All-American game.  Every recruiting service rated him as one of the top corner backs in the country.  Originially committed to Nebraska, once he visited the Fayetteville campus he knew where he wanted to play on the next level.  It was just 10 days after his visit that he switched verbals to the Hogs  Spurning offers from the likes of Oklahoma, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Texas A&M, Utah, and Kansas, the 6'0" speedster will fit in immediately at Arkansas.  Don't expect to see a redshirt used in this case.  He has the skill set and Arkansas has the need for his talent this upcoming season.  He may not be needed badly at first, with Madison and Winston taking a majority of the load, but he will have a chance to grow on the field.  I expect four solid years out of Tevin with a chance of making all-SEC in his last year or two.  He should become a start by latest year 3, if not year 2.

20. ATH Kelvin Fisher         78    88     3*      4*      5'11", 180, 4.6   Gilbert, AZ          HS
2011 impact:redshirt/reserve
Just watch his highlight videos and you'd think he is projecting to offense as a playmaker.  His moves and instincts are electric.  He looks a lot like his father did who went on to play for both Arizona State and the Pittsburgh Steelers as a RB.  But, you have to have playmakers on both sides of the ball.  The arsenal on offense is deep already, and defense is still being stocked with each successive class.  I feel he will still be used in the defensive backfield as a safety.  My feelings won't be hurt in the least if coach Petrino feels his best position would be on offense.  It would be awful tempting seeing how he rushed for 2,029 yards and 29 TD's as a senior.  But, equally impressive is his 71 tackles and 5 int's on defense.  The pipeline to Arizona is starting to open up for Arkansas.  I believe this is the first class to sign three out of the Sun Devil state.  All three appear to be playmakers that will impact the team given time.  Kelvin was high recruited, boasting offers from Oregon, Boise State, academic giant Duke, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Washington, and Maryland among others.  It will be tough to keep him off the field, but I feel some of the good players will have to redshirt.  He doesn't have the speed as some of the other signees, so he might not even play on special teams as a true freshman.  But, this may be an instance where he hits the field with a tremendous motor, lots of energy, and maturity for a freshman.  If so, expect him on the field after all! 

14. DT Demarcus Hodge     78    87     3*      3*       6'1", 300, 5.0    Monroe, LA          HS
2011 impact: redshirt
it's the 3rd year in a row Arkansas has landed a high-rated DT out of Louisiana.  Demarcus is both stocky and strong.  He is very quick for a player that runs a 5.0 forty.  He will need some refining as is rough around the edges in his play.  But, he will no doubt be a solid contributor on the defensive line.  More impressive than his ratings by the services is the lengthy list of schools that all vied for his signature.  It was long thought that a battle would be waged between Arkansas and TCU, but he was so blown away with his visit last summer, Demarcus pulled the trigger and never waivered.  TCU never got a visit even though "mom" was in their corner.  Other offers he received included Kansas, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Mizzou, Tennessee, and Texas A&M.  As difficult as it used to be in the past for Arkansas to land the rare true DT, Petrino has been very effective at landing a full stable each year.  In what is sure to be one of the deepest positions on the team, the need for true freshmen to step up will not likely be there.  The only signee that will likely see PT this upcoming season is Juco transfer Robert Thomas.  I would be surprised to see Demarcus play this year outside of dire need due to a pileup of injuries.  He will develop into at minimum a solid contributor on defense with a sky being the limit to his ceiling. 

17. LB/DE Brock Haman      74    82      3*      3*      6'3", 235, 4.6     Scottsdale, AZ    HS
2011 impact: redshirt
Brock missed a majority of his senior season with a bad shoulder injury.  In fact it was in the first half of the first game.  It was presumed he would have to watch his last year of high school football from the sidelines.  But, a special harness was used that allowed him the chance to help his team to an Arizona state title run.  In high school he played TE on offense and DE on defense.  As a junior he logged 23 catches for 399 yards/3 td's and 51 tackles/2 sacks.  Arkansas recruited him as a LB, probably to grow into a MLB position.  He was an Arkansas target for some time, not failing to impress during summer camp.  Even though LB isn't a position he is highly familiar with, he showed out with some tenacity.  His offer list puts him in what I would consider a second tier as far as talent goes.  The competition wasn't fierce, but did include the likes of in-state Zona and ASU.  Brock's shoulder should be healed up by Fall ball, so that shouldn't slow him down.  But, I believe the staff will give him a much-needed year to grow comfortable at LB and get accustomed to Division I football.  I'm hoping he doesn't turn into another Austin Moss, who took steps back from his first to second years.  Arkansas needs help in the middle of the defense and can't afford taking 3-4 years to develop LBers into players.  He should no doubt be a solid contributor on defense in a year or two and has a good chance of developing into a starter by his junior year.

[Tomhog™]

2. QB Brandon Allen         78    87    4*        3*       6'2", 214, 4.7    Fayetteville, AR    HS
2011 impact: redshirt
Let's face it, as son of an assistant coach, it was no doubt he would be headed right up the road to Fayetteville.  We all knew he would commit, and commit early he did.  Not only did we know it, the recruiting 'gurus' that assign ratings knew it as well.  Why spend a whole lot of time on a kid that is going to stay home and not to one of the schools with millions more fans.  It is evident in his ratings.  Rivals came the closest to rating him fairly.  Brandon has tremendous accuracy and a good amount of arm strength.  He is also elusive, so sacks will be much harder to come by with him under center.  He clearly has 5* potential and should have been given further looks.  That being said, Brandon was a 3-year starter for the Bulldogs, throwing 3,408yds/38tds to 6 ints his senior season.  He is the class 7A all-time passer that didn't throw an int during his last regular season.  He even rushed for 643yds/8tds.  He will translate well to the next level.  As with all QBs, it will take a year to adjust, and thus should redshirt as a true freshman.  He will no doubt develop into a starter under the tutiledge of Petrino and may very well be an All-SEC, even All-American QB.  I look forward to watching him mature and lead this team to many victories.

8. OG Marcus Danenhauer  73    86    3*       3*       6'5", 315, 5.4     Bentonville, AR     HS
2011 impact: redshirt
I don't remember a year with so many high D1 caliber linemen coming out of the state of Arkansas.  And to top it off, they all already possess SEC size.  Marcus was often overshadowed last year due to Cook and Smothers, both higher rated recruits with outstanding offer lists.  In fact, due to his early commitment to the Hogs, he never got much attention from other schools or from the recruiting services.  It wasn't until after the season that Rivals rated him.  Marcus has roots in the NFL.  His grandfather and great uncle played for the Denver Broncos.  His brother played at Tulsa (now coaching at Bentonville). Marcus anchored the offensive line in a state playoff run that ended with Bentonville winning the championship.  He is talented and athletic guard, but is a long way from being ready for SEC football.  His body needs to be reshaped and built properly to handle the grind.  He also will need some time to refine his technique.  I don't expect to see him hit the field regularly until his redshirt sophomore year.  Hopefully he will develop into an effective interior lineman and start his last year or two.  Project player with major upside.

26.  DE Lonnie Gosha         80+   92      3*       3*    6'2", 270,         Lake Butler, FL     HS
2011 impact: redshirt
Lonnie must have a sense of humor.  On March 31, 2010 he surprised Seminole nation by committing to FSU.  The next day: "April Fools".  He decommitted citing it is too early in the process to commit and he opened his recruitment back up.  It wasn't like he didn't have options.  His impressive offer list included the likes of Florida, Miami, FSU, Clemson, LSU, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee.  Certainly not the offer list you'd expect from a 3* recruit.  What makes the rating even more laughable is his absolute domination his senior year with 140 tackles, 15 sacks, and 2 interceptions.  Even though he is a very gifted athlete, don't expect to see him on the field in 2011.  If he reports to fall camp at 270 as currently reported, he will need to gain another 25 pounds to his frame and build up some upper body strength to compete with opposing offensive lines in the SEC.  I believe he will do just that.  After redshirting 2011, he will start getting meaningul playing time in 2012, hopefully working into a starting role by 2013.  He has the potential to develop into an elite player in the college ranks his last year or two.  Lonnie is definitely one to keep an eye on over the years as only thing that will stop his progression is himself.

1. TE Demetrius Dean      80   89    3*         3*       6'3", 245, 4.7   Fayetteville, AR    HS
2011 impact: JUCO
I still had Demetrius listed as a WR.  Things sure have changed since our first commitment pulled the trigger back in February of 2009.  He has grown over the past year and a half from a wide receiver to a tight end.  He is still on offense and has too great an ability to make a catch to not be involved as a skill position player. As a team mate of fellow heralded signee Brandon Allen, he is used to catching passes from an elite QB.  That will help translate to repetitions in the SEC. His senior year of 33 catches for 422 yards and 10 tds pale in comparison to the 69 catches for 999 yards and 13 tds.  He did tie a school career record with 31 tds in all.  The hope is that Demetrius can be put on a workout/diet regime that will reshape his body and allow his gifts to best be used on the field.  He is very crisp with route running, has excellent hands, and good concentration.  As a tight end he will have to learn how to add blocking to his resume.  I imagine it will take him a couple of years to adjust to the position and become molded into a protect the QB first player.  He will become as sure-handed as DJ Williams in the future and will be a great outlet pass when needed.  Don't be surprised to see him get the ball into the second level.  I can see him lettering at Arkansas 3-4 years and have very productive numbers.  All of this is providing he fully qualifies.  At one point, it was said there was no shot, but the latest says he already is.  We will soon see. 

12. DE Darrell Kelly-Thomas 45    86    3*      3*       6'2", 220, 4.6     Lufkin, TX            HS
2011 impact: redshirt
Darrell's coach raves about his ability and being able to translate to the next level.  Athletically-wise, he has been compared to Dez Bryant, whom played under this same coach.  "He's 6-3, 220, can really run, very athletic and very intelligent and that's a great bunch of things to start with and why he is going to end up being a heck of a college football player," as quoted from his coach John Outlaw.  Darrell possesses a very quick first step, vital for a DE.  He also has a relentless pursuit of the ball and never gives up on the play, even when the play is to the other side of the field.  You can also add a positive attitude (unending motor), and high intelligence.. He definitely has all the tools to be a success on the field in the SEC.  I wouldn't be surprised to see him start out as an OLB with his current size.  He will need to add nearly 40 pounds of muscle in order to compete at this level.  That will likely take a couple of years.  I believe Darrell will develop into an impact DL that may flirt with all-SEC his last couple of years.

21. LB Alonzo Highsmith      NR    83     3*      2*     6'2", 215, 4.6        Phoenix, AZ         JC
2011 impact: backup
Arkansas wasn't happy with just one of the two Region 1 JUCO co-defensive players of the year, they had to have them both.  Alonzo shared this year's honor with fellow signee CB Isiah Wiley.  Alonzo isn't big on size, but he has nice lateral speed and relative quickness at attacking the ball carrier.  This past season he accummulated 79 solo tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 recovered fumbles.  He is very active and all over the field.  The bloodlines are there as well.  His father played for the Hurricanes in the 90's, then the Oilers, and is now a scout for the Green Bay Packers.  Alonzo chose the Hogs over SMU, Washington, and Cincinnati.  Originally he signed with Nichols State in the class of 2008, but instead ended up at Phoenix Community College.  He will have two years left of eligibility.  Arkansas is still a little light in numbers at LB, so expect an early and active role from Alonzo on defense.  I don't feel he will have enough time to learn the position and mature physically in the weight room fast enough to become a solid starter, but I do anticipate plenty of reserve action in his time on the Hill.

9. WR Davyon McKinney    78    87    3*       3*       6'3", 180, 4.5     Forrest City, AR    HS
2011 impact: redshirt
This may turn out to be be like 2010 and all the incoming freshman WRs get to play early and burn a redshirt.  Or maybe this year the WR is deep enough to not need so many true freshmen to play.  With players like Wade and Funderburke already projected to play this year, a few of the talented kids will get the opportunity to learn the system first before being thrust on the field.  It's a crap shoot to know which WR is going to be the most ready, but from what I've seen, Davyon has good skills, but needs to hone them before taking to the next level.  He possesses prototypical size for a WR, can create separation, and has an ability to put his body between the ball and defender.  He also does a good job at catching with his hands and not having to do so much trapping.  He was a 3-year standout at the position and will no doubt be a solid contributor in the years to come.  His early commitment to the Hogs kept him largely off the recruiting radar, reportin only offers to Arkansas and Tulsa.  Comparisons have been made between him and Greg Childs.  Both were rated the same coming out of high school.  Both have good size and fight for extra yards.  It will be a tough reputation for Davyon to live up to if the comparison holds through the years.  We probably won't see him garner All-SEC honors in his time, but we will see him play a pivotal role in keeping defenses on their heels with an occassional dazzling catch.  I look forward to seeing the hometown receiver make plays as a Hog.

30. TE Andrew Peterson     90    79     3*       4*     6'5", 250, 4.8     Dallas, TX           HS
2011 impact: redshirt
A phenomenal athlete that largely flew under the radar his senior year, his recruitment exploded once film of his play got out (December 7th).  Though there aren't many highlights of catches in his career at a school that is predominatly run-oriented.  In two years, Andrew amassed 15 receptions for 280 yards.  In his senior year, he caught 8 of the 31 total season completions.  Some have projected him as an OT on the college level, but Petrino still plans on using him as a TE.  Seagoville should sound familiar those who follow recruiting.  It is the same high school that Devonta Abram graduated from.  Both Devonta and Andrew played in the interior for their team and we have to give Devonta a lot of credit for bringing Andrew to the Hill.  In a week's time, he garnered up to 20 offers from schools around the nation.  Aside from the Hogs, notable schools included Oregon, TAMU, Utah, Vandy, Miami, Michigan, Nebraska, and Tennessee.  After narrowing his final four to Ark, Oregon, TAMU, and Utah he made his visits and decided Arkansas was the best fit.  I don't expect to see him hit the field early at any position, especially given the torn ACL he suffered right before the playoffs.  Petrino has shown he'll play the best and most prepared person, regardless of classification, but he may not be 100% by then.  I expect Chris Gragg to hold down the starting TE position and Uekman plus Tate should be the backup.  Andrew should have a great career at Arkansas and develop into a 2-3 year starter with All-SEC potential.  He may even translate into an NFL player come the end of his eligibility. 

4. DT Austin Beck           77     89    3*       3*       6'8", 285,          Nowata, OK         HS
2011 impact: redshirt
Evidently the big boys in Oklahoma didn't see in Austin what Petrino did.  Neither OU or OSU offered the mammoth OL/DL.  It might not have mattered anyways.  Arkansas was on him early and got him as their 4th commit of the year way back in April of 2010.  The schools Arkansas was up against included Mizzou, Baylor, Illinois, and Tulsa.  But without any worries, Mr. Beck held to his commitment and signed with the Hogs.  It's still up in the air as to what position he will settle in at.  In high school he played on both lines and even some linebacker.  He will definitely be either an OT or a DT.  He should start at DT even though the Hogs are pretty deep at the position and more thin at OT.  His quickest path to playing time would likely be on the offensive side.  I don't think we will see him on either side for at least 2 years.  His agility is amazing for a guy that is 6'8" and over 300 lbs.  He possesses a fair amount of quickness off the line, so he could very well fit in as a DT.  No matter what side of the field he is assigned to, we will see him get a year of refinement in the weight room and on the practice field.  I expect he will be a solid contributor in his years at Arkansas, whichever side he gets to flourish on the field.

15. WR Jashaud Sims       74    79     3*      3*        6'5", 210, 4.5    Dickinson, TX       HS
2011 impact: redshirt
Though all the recruiting services listed him as a defender since most of his playing time occured on that side of the field, the Arkansas staff saw something different in him.  They saw the decent speed and the excellent height and saw potential mismatches as a wide receiver against shorter defensive backs.  As a junior, Jashaud tallied 110 tackles, 18 pass breakups, and 3 interceptions as a safety.  Before his senior season, he suffered an MCL tear.  I'm not sure how much it affected his season as no stats were available.  Under a Petrino offense, Jashaud should excel.  He is very athletic for his size, and possesses quickness of a much shorter person.  An informed poster once stated that Jashaud was dunking the basketball in the 6th grade! He has come up big for his team in crunch times, capturing critical interceptions in the playoffs.  Rumor was that Texas and Major Applewhite had interest in him, but he wanted to go out of state and play in the SEC.  Petrino afforded him the opportunity.  I expect he will get ample opportunities over the years, but will likely need a couple of years to refine skills and adapt to being on offense full-time.  He will be quite easy to spot if he still dons the perscription goggles he wore in high school.  He will no doubt end up being another solid component in continued depth at the position.  This is all provided he qualifies, which doesn't look like will happen at this point.

[Tomhog™]

13. RB Kody Walker           75    86     3*      3*       6'1", 230, 4.7    Jefferson City, MO HS
2011 impact: reserve
It was perfect timing for Petrino to land his prototypical "big back".  With Broderick Green sidelined for the season by injury, someone else will have to fill the gap of a short yardage bulldozer.  Wingo and Davis tend to play to the outside of the field.  What about Johnson? In my best New York accent "fuhget about it".  I expect Kody to get playing time right out of the gate.  Petrino is very good about not putting too much on new players, so he will get some tests in lower pressure situations against the first three non-cons.  He will have the chance to prove he can get that much needed 2 yards or 1 yard on 3rd down to keep a drive's momentum.  We aren't looking for great things from him.  He doesn't have the speed to break out a Knile Davis or Dennis Johnson 80-yard sprint to the endzone.  His merit will be based solely on being the guy that moves the chains.  I expect we will see a lot of this guy over the next 4 years if he can stay away from long-term injuries.  Kody's offers aren't out of this world, nor is his ratings.  His offers aside from the Hogs include Minnisota, Missouri, and Tulsa.  As a side note it is still pretty sweet to beat Missouri yet again for another in-state running back (in a televised press-conference, mind you).  As a junior, he rushed for 1,554 yards and 16 tds, including an impressive 83 yard scamper for a game-winning td against Fayetteville, ironically.  As a senior, he tallied 1004 yards and 16 tds.  He also showed a bit of versatility by catching 3 passes for an avg 33 ypc.  It will be a joy to hear "that's another Arkansas First Down" after just about every touch.

6. WR Keante Minor         79     89    3*       4*       6'0", 195, 4.45   East St. Louis, IL  HS
2011 impact: reserve
One of the greatest academic risks of the class made it.  With the cushion of signing 28, Petrino can take chances on a few that don't appear to be on the easy path of eligibility.  This gamble paid off.  He made it and will be donning a Razorback uniform the next 4-5 years instead of in a Jayhawk uniform (his only other reported offer).  His talents and skills combined with enough desire will propel him up the ranks of SEC receivers.  He has speed like a Jarius Wright, but adds more height and strength.  He catches passes crisply with his hands and uses his body to position himself to make the catch even against better defenders.  His route running definitely needs polishing, but this is a very coachable issue.  I imagine the Arkansas staff is the best at coaching details in the business.  Keante has even talked about walking on the basketball team.  I'm not sure if Petrino will allow it or if Anderson wants him, but it does speak to his athletic gifts.  The biggest obtacle for him seeing the field this year is the bevvy of experienced WRs waiting in line.  He will have to be patient as his time will indeed come sooner than later.  He may see time in 2012 as a punt returner.  With Adams' eligibility used up after this year, Keante will get a shot in practice.  He returned 3 punts for td's in high school to go with 55 receptions for 1,022 yards and 13 td's.  2011 may be a year he doesn't see much of the field, but 2012 and beyond will be wide open!   

31.OT Chris Stringer       NR    NR     NR        3*       6'7", 305, 5.1   Glendora, CA       JC
2011 impact: backup
With the loss of two starting OTs, going the JUCO route for Jason Peacock was a smart idea.  Arkansas got a late bonus addition of a second OT (Jason's teammate) in the very late addition (mid May, three months after National Signing Day) of another California JC graduate in Chris Stringer.  This signing proved to be even more valuable with the dismissal of Anthony Oden.  He has the size to be a prototypical Bobby Petrino OT, but just needs time to develop into the position.  In high school, he played TE.  It wasn't until Juco that he started making the transition.  Two words sum up this kid: upside and potential.  I don't expect him to make a splash his first season in the SEC.  It is going to be quite a change for such a newcomer.  Chris had a lenghty list of offers, none of which looks like a BCS bowl contender, but several nice schools.  Arkansas was obviously his best offer.  He was available late due to graduating in only one year.  His NCAA waiver was approved clearing the way for his arrival in the Fall.  I expect him to come along slowly at first, but after this year, he should be a major contributor to the 2-deep rotation.  Chris will have 4 years to play 3.

32. LB Robert Atiga        NR    NR     NR        NR       6'3", 240, 4.5    Ephraim, UT    JC
2011 impact: reserve
Arkansas has found a great complement to local recruiting in the PAC-10 area with the Petrino staff.  Every year the Hogs sign at least a couple of players from out west that would have never given a look this way before.  Arkansas has finally arrived in that they recruit nationally and not just regionally.  Petrino takes the blue-collar approach by getting mostly players without high ratings and lots of offers.  But he develops them into real players in the premier conference in college football.  Robert Atiga is no different.  His measureables alone should bring excitement.  We should see another Anthony Leon type player (the Anthony Leon at LB, not S).  He has a great burst of speed for a linebacker and sufficient size to hinder any running attack.  Robert had 53 tackles (14 for a loss) and 5 sacks last season for Snow College, Utah.  He was named co-defensive POY of Western States Football League along with fellow Razorback Alonzo Highsmith.  His other school choices were down to Oregon State, Utah, and Washington.  It appeared he was headed to OSU, but the appeal of the SEC and being able to move out of the West tipped the scales in Arkansas' favor.  Robert redshirted his freshman year so he will have 3 years to play 3.  He has all the makings on an impact player that could develop into a season-leading tackler at WLB before his career is finished. 


+ indicates ESPNU150


BASKETBALL

Pos  Commit             ESPN  Rivals   Scout      Stats             Hometown           Status

1. SF Aaron Ross          92      3*      4*       6'8", 220         Little Rock, AR        HS
2. PF Hunter Mickelson  95       4*      4*      6'10", 195        Jonesboro, AR        HS
3. SG B.J. Young           97       5*     5*      6'3", 170          Florissant, MO        HS
4. PG Ky Madden           96      4*      4*       6'5", 170         Lepanto, AR           HS
5. PF Devonte Abron      91       3*     3*      6'7", 210          Dallas, TX              HS


football decommits
14. OLB Shaquille Roberson 45     NR       2*      6'2",200, --        Notasulga, AL      HS
10. CB Isiah Wiley            NR     3*       4*       6'0", 185, 4.4     West Monroe, LA   JC
12. S Roderick Ryles        77       3*       2*      6'1", 185, 4.5     Orlando, FL          HS   
16. DB Jared Singletary      78      3*      2*       5'10", 175         Green Cove Spgs, FL HS
11. ATH Jervohnte Riles    80     86    3*      3*       6'5", 230, 4.6     Bessemer, AL       HS
18. TE Chris Barnett          78    88      4*      4*      6'6", 245, 4.5     Hurst, TX           HS

[wholehog92]

Going to be a great recruiting year!  Thanks for your efforts Tom.

[Zen_Hog]

You can bet we will have at least 6-8 instate commitments for 2011. Petrino is handing them scholarships out like candy!

[Tomhog™]

I am surprised at how quickly Scout has rated both commits.

[newera]

Ask and I shall receive. I best reserve my space for a year. Thanks Tomhog.

[The_Iceman]

No way those two guys stay 3-stars.

If Dean is reclassified from a WR to a TE, he will no doubt be a 4-star.

Allen's rating is affected by his lack of offers, which is a shame. Once these guys commit early to Arkansas the Rivals and Scout people really dont give a dang about them anymore. He is a 4-star QB at least. He and Frazier are about equal.

[SquidBilly]

Can we get this and Hoggy Bear's offer thread stickied?

[Hawg130]

What I like most about the vast majority of the kids Arkansas offers, they are at least 6'2".  GHG

[Huds_HawgTide]

allen not getting nod cause no one offers due to the fact his dad coaches at ark...

[Brewerfan10]

allen not getting nod cause no one offers due to the fact his dad coaches at ark...

I agree. This is why I think he won't be above a 3*.

[Lake City Hog]

I thought that the star ranking was base totally on ability and not on who offered? You guys must still be trying to prop up the 2010 class by starting that who offered business, I mean after all we had so many of our own fans telling us that we were wrong on that type of thinking.

I hope and pray that Petrino continues to recruit the players that he evaluates as worthy and doesn't worry about their "star power"!

[Veritas Arkansas]

Here's to another year of madness.

[hamsam]

wonder if Allen will get the 4th star he SHOULD have. Probably not since he is committed to us...

[Tomhog™]

Word's out that former DT commit Robert Thomas has recommited to the Hogs.  He is currently attending Coffeyville CC where he redshirted last year and thus will have 3 to play 3. 

[blu]

That is great news - the dline is looking pretty salty in the future.

[pigture perfect]

If Thomas does recommit with 3 to play 3, which if any, of our new recruits would redshirt?

[Ray Piggers]

Wait, so Thomas will be playing THIS fall?

[Tomhog™]

Wait, so Thomas will be playing THIS fall?

For Coffeyville JC, yes.

[Ray Piggers]

For Coffeyville JC, yes.

Oh, ok. I get it now. He redshirted so he'll only have to play one year of juco to have 3 years here. I had a brainfart.

[Huds_HawgTide]

dude that reeks!

[gatecrasher]

So we're looking to pick up both Allen and Frazier?

I've watched both, and to me, if Frazier can adapt to getting the snap from center, he looks more impressive of the two....

[stan the man]

I believe stars has more to do with how many offers and who is offering than players ability.  Plus the fact that if they committ to Arkansas they are automatically rated lower.  Not quite fair but nevertheless what happens.

[Pig in the Pokey]

this is going to be a fun ride this recruiting season....

[Tomhog™]

Austin Beck added to the commitment list

[Tomhog™]

East St. Louis, IL WR Keante Minor added to the commitment list.

[Tomhog™]

odd that on ESPNU Brandon Allen plummeted from the 150 watch list to a low 46 grade.  Considering 40 is the unrated start point, it sure was a drop.

Austin Beck was also recently rated a 46.

Rivals has yet to rate any though Scout has 3 already rated.

[Virgil]

   Pos  Commit             ESPN  Rivals   Scout      Stats             Hometown           Status
1. WR Demetrius Dean   150W    NR        3*       6'3", 245, 4.7    Fayetteville, AR    HS 
2. QB Brandon Allen         46     NR        3*       6'2", 214, 4.7    Fayetteville, AR    HS 
3. DT Robert Thomas       NR      NR       NR       6'1", 310,         Coffeyville, KS      JC  
4. OT Austin Beck           46      NR       NR       6'8", 285,          Nowata, OK         HS
5. WR Keante Minor       150W    NR       3*       6'0", 195, 4.45   East St. Louis, IL  HS


All players listed as 6'-0 or taller.  I like! 

[Hog Fan from Camden]

Is Dean being recruited as a TE?

Never mind, I just saw this thread:  http://www.hogville.net/yabbse/index.php?topic=343857.0

[Dalt21]

odd that on ESPNU Brandon Allen plummeted from the 150 watch list to a low 46 grade.  Considering 40 is the unrated start point, it sure was a drop.

Austin Beck was also recently rated a 46.

Rivals has yet to rate any though Scout has 3 already rated.

I found out that 45 is a guy that they have received film on they just haven't evaluated yet. And a 46 is just like a 45, but a prospect that will end up being a higher rated guy, they just aren't 150 Watch List material.

[SharpTusk]

(Reserved)

[Tomhog™]

And we are back to 4 again.

[bcdrules]

Did Minor decide not to commit?

[bcdrules]

nevermind...just read RD's blog.

[Tomhog™]

Malvern DL Grady Ollison added to the commit list. 

It is looking to be a very balanced start to the class with 2 DL, 1 OL, 1 QB, and 1 WR.

[Tomhog™]

And just like that Keante added again.

[newera]

I know this may be a bit much, but could we have a "date committed" column?
I'm very excited about all these early commits.

[Lowland Hogarilla]

According to rivals and scout AR has a bunch of offers out there on the table.
I saw around 12 offers (not including committed prospects) just for DE's.

[Lowland Hogarilla]

 :razorback: Does anyone see any 2011 in state sleepers that AR may offer that arent on many peoples radar?

[Tomhog™]

2008 - Zach Stadther (worked out well)
2009 - Rickey Hughey (went JUCO)
2010 - Braylon Mitchell (not on campus yet)
2011 - ?

Every year Petrino has put out an offer to an in-state that isn't on many radars.  Though Zach was committed to another school (KSU?).  I would expect him to do it again this year.

[Dalt21]

2008 - Zach Stadther (worked out well)
2009 - Rickey Hughey (went JUCO)
2010 - Braylon Mitchell (not on campus yet)
2011 - ?

Every year Petrino has put out an offer to an in-state that isn't on many radars.  Though Zach was committed to another school (KSU?).  I would expect him to do it again this year.

Almost Tom, KU.

[PorkSoda]

What happened with Brian Christopher.  wasn't he a kid we offer late in the game?  did he ever make it to campus?

[Tomhog™]

What happened with Brian Christopher.  wasn't he a kid we offer late in the game?  did he ever make it to campus?

Yes, we offered late and he flipped to Arkansas from Texas Tech (if memory serves me).  He made it to campus, but was not making progress both on the field and in the classroom.  He left after only one year.

[Dalt21]

What happened with Brian Christopher.  wasn't he a kid we offer late in the game?  did he ever make it to campus?

Yes, was here a year, then transferred.

[Tomhog™]

Mitch Smothers added to the commitment list.

[Tomhog™]

Bentonville OL Marcus Danenhauer commitment added

[Tomhog™]

According to ESPNU:

Mitch Smothers is rated as high as our top signee from last year, Cam Feldt at 81. 

Keante Minor was given a rating of 79, which is only one point shy of the lower 150.

[booogaga]

ESPN Top 150 has been updated