2007 Qualifying/Non-Qualifying Freshmen - UPDATED

[Tomhog™]

      Signee          Rivals Rating Position          Size            40 Speed          Hometown           Recruited By

Q 1) DeMario Ambrose    ***      DE           6-4 240 lbs           4.8           Mobile, AL               Rocker
Q 2) Brandon Barnett     ***       RB           5-9 205 lbs          4.4           El Dorado, KS           Shibest
Q 3) Jake Bequette       ***       DE           6-5 255lbs           4.85          Little Rock, AR         D Nutt
Q 4) Freddy Burton       ***        LB          6-2 195 lbs           4.49          Morriltion, AR           Malzahn
NQ 5) Adrian Campbell     ***       DT          6-6 255 lbs           4.88          Richardson, TX        Shibest
Q 6) Joe Chaisson         ***       QB          6-2 180 lbs           4.6           Beaumont, TX          Wood  
Q 7) Grant Cook           ***       OL          6-6 305 lbs           5.1           Jonesboro, AR          D Nutt
Q 8} Kareem Crowell     ****     OL          6-4 320 lbs           5.25          Hargrave, VA           Vaughn         
Q 9) Tim Dial                 **        LB          6-3 210 lbs            4.4           Jenks, OK                Malzahn
Q 10) Nathan Dick         ***       QB          6-4 200 lbs           4.8           Allen, TX                 C. Dick
Q 11) Jerry Franklin        ***        S           6-2 210 lbs           4.5           Marion, AR               D. Nutt
NQ 12) Juwan Franklin     ***       RB          6-1 175 lbs           4.4           Dunnellon, FL           McFadden
Q 13) Grant Freeman    ****      TE          6-7 243 lbs           4.9           Paris, AR                 Markuson
Q 14) Greg Gatson         **        CB          5-11 160 lbs         4.4           Germantown, TN          Nutt
Q 15) Wade Grayson     ***       OL          6-3 260 lbs           5.1           Harrison, AR             Markuson
Q 16) Bret Harris          ***        S           5-11 196lbs          4.43         Irving, TX                Shibest 
NQ 17) Michael Harris     ***        RB          5-9 190 lbs           4.46         Tulsa, OK                Malzahn 
Q 18) Patrick Jones      **          DT         6-0 298 lbs           4.78         Lovejoy, GA             Rocker  
Q 19) Brandon Lampkin ***         DT         6-5 250 lbs          4.75          Tucker, GA              Rocker
Q 20) Walner Leandre    ***        S           6-1 215 lbs         4.45          Brenham, TX             Vaughn
Q 21) Jermaine Love     ****      LB          5-11 220 lbs        4.48          Garland, TX              Shibest
Q 22) Isaac Madison     **         DB          5-10 180 lbs        4.4            Dallas, TX                Allen
Q 23) Seth Oxner         ***        OL         6-4 285 lbs          5.19          Monticello, AR          Campell/Markuson
Q 24) Rhett Richardson   **        DS         6-2 215 lbs           -             Rockwall, TX             Shibest
Q 25) Alex Tejada         **         K           6-1 190lbs            -              Springdale, AR          Malzahn
Q 26) Crosby Tuck       ***        WR         6-1 185 lbs          4.43          Springdale, AR          Malzahn
Q 27) DJ Williams         ****       TE         6-2 240 lbs          4.68          Little Rock, AR          D Nutt

Q - Qualify
NQ - Not Qualify


1) DeMario Ambrose will likely play in 2007 out of necessity.  Should be an impact player in 2008.

2) Brandon Barnett is the no. 84 player in the Rivals 2007 top 100 Junior College Football Players.  His JUCO team had the fortune like Arkansas of have two 1,000+ yard backs for the team.  Brandon finished 2nd in yardage at 1,095 yds on 148 attempts for a 7.1 yard average.  He scored almost half the teams touchdowns (14 out of 33) and had a season high run of 95 yards.  He has 3 years to play 3.

3) Jake Bequette will likely redshirt 2007 and see a backup role in 2008.

4) Freddy Burton will be a project for Arkansas.  He's a solid tackler on the high school level, but is a little light at 185 pounds to be a LB on the SEC level.  Expect Freddy to redshirt 2007 to try and put 15 pounds on his frame.  Hopefully, it will be done in a manner that will allow him to keep his 4.49 speed.  He might see his role as a backup in 2008, but more probably, will not see the field much until 2009.

5) Adrian Campbell is a versatile lineman that can play either the DE or DT position. During his senior season, Adrian racked up 92 tackles and 7 sacks.  He's strong and athletic, just what Arkansas is needing on the defensive line.  Adrian held 16 offers from schools and chose Arkansas over the likes of Houston, Kansas, and Michigan State.  Expect Adrian to play a backup role in 2007.  He may develop into a starter by late 2007.

6) Joe Chaisson is a 6'2", 180 QB out of Beaumont, TX.  He as listed by Rivals as one of the top 2 QB's uncommited when the Hogs picked him up.  During his senior campaign, he completed 144 of 267 passes for 1,859 yards.  He threw for 15 touchdowns and 6 interceptions and rushed for 13 touchdowns.  He gained 726 yards on 146 carries for a 5 ypc average.  He is rated as the no. 24 dual-threat QB in the nation by Rivals.  Joe held offers from Tennessee, Baylor, Indiana, Iowa State, Missouri and UTEP.

7) Grant Cook plays with heart.  Should redshirt 2007 and play quite a bit in 2008.

8}  Kareem Crowell is a HUGE OL that will be one of the few to make an immediate impact at that positon.  He should play a lot of backup in 2007 and start in 2008.

9) Tim Dial is the son of ORU track coach, Jim Dial.  He's rated the #18 player in Oklahoma.  His size to speed ratio is tremendous and could be an immediate impact player next season.  Last I heard, he was up to 220 lbs and still runs a 4.4.  He might be one of the best 2* athletes we've ever recruited.  This guy gave Malzahn fits while still coaching at Springdale.  Tim Dial might be another Tony Bua for Arkansas.

10) Nathan Dick is a 6'4", 200 pound pro-style QB out of Allen, TX.  He was the other top uncommited QB in Texas by Rivals at the time of the pickup.  He will become a team mate of his brother Casey Dick like they were in high school.  As a senior, Nathan completed 261 of 402 passes for 3,622 yards.  He threw for 23 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.  Through the regular season, Dick did not throw a SINGLE interception.  He also rushed the ball 144 times for 577 yards (4.0 ypc) and 11 touchdowns.  Rice, Houston, Louisville, Tulsa and North Texas were teams in the hunt for his services.

11) Jerry Franklin is projected to play the Safety position at Arkansas.  This past season, Jerry collected 67 tackles and 7 interceptions for 3 tds.  He had an even more prolific junior year with 118 tackles and 3 interceptions.  With his height to speed ratio, he would be a good candidate to pick off many passes during his career at Arkansas.  Look for him to try to redshirt his freshman year and see plenty of field in the 2008 season.  If injuries mount, he may be needed in 2007.

12) Juwan Franklin is a 6'1", 175 pound RB from Dunnellon High School in Florida.  This season, Juwan amassed 1700 yards on 194 carries for an average of 8.8 ypc.  He also tallied 26 touchdowns.  He will be a great complement to the already talented stable of running backs.  West Virginia, Lousiville, and Kentucky were in the mix until Juwan committed to Arkansas.

13) Grant Freeman will is projected as an OT.  He played both TE and DE in high school.  As a TE his senior year he caught 12 passes for 210 yards and 4 touchdowns.  Rivals rates him as the no. 11 in the country even though he won't see the field at that position.  Arkansas was the only school Grant was interested from the beginning.  Expect Grant to redshirt in 2007.  Probably won't see him on the field until 2009.

14) Greg Gatson is son to former Razorback Greg Gatson, Sr. who also played the CB position in the 80's.  He is one of those players that has always wanted to be a Razorback.  Expect this guy to play with a passion and zeal.  His 4.4 speed will be very needful in the backfield.  At 160 pounds, expect Greg to hit the weight room hard and build up around 15-20 pounds and try to maintain his speed.  He should redshirt the 2007 season and see some backup action in 2008.

15) Wade Grayson should redshirt in 2007.  His role should increase in 2009.

16) Bret Harris is rated the no. 43 safety in the country.  He is athletic, benching 310 and squatting 465.   Without having exact numbers, Bret was averaging around 10 tackles per game his senior season.  He's a good student as well.  With a 3.2 GPA, we won't have to worry about him qualifying.  He might see some playing time in a backup role in 2007.  Bret also held offers from Arizona St, Missouri, Ok St., and TCU. 

17) Michael Harris is from the same school as Felix Jones.  His coach believes that Michael is even better.  We'll have to wait until Fall to see if true.  Michael was named National High School player early in the season and followed it up with a 400+ yard, 7 td effort.  I couldn't find his final stats for the season, but I do have him with 1773 yards in 143 carries.  That is a whopping 12.4 ypc!  He also scored 32, yes 32 touch downs.  All those scores made him the #2 scorer in the state. 

18) Patrick Jones is a 6'1" 298 pound DT that also played some in the TB position.  As a senior, Patrick tallied 105 tackles and 12 sacks.  Coach Rocker became interested when he saw Patrick play at both positions back in the 9th grade.  He led his team in tackles the past three seasons and has started since being a freshman.  PJ benches 400 pounds, not 260 that some were reporting.  His coach says he's the best defensive player in the history of the school.  Jones chose Arkansas over Mississippi State, Kentucky, Western Kentucky, and Troy.  Expect to see him on the field in 2007.

19) Bradon Lamkin is another specimen.  So many good DL, someone will likely redshirt 2007.  He will be a factor in 2008.

20) Walner Leandre is another pickup out of the state of Texas.  The class needed another safety and got a good one in Walner.  He helped lead the Blinn Junior College to a 12-0 record and the NJCAA National Championship.  He was one of four players on the team named to the JC All-American team (along with Arkansas prospect Alex Cook).  Leandre finished the season with 70 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 interceptions.  With his size to speed ratio and Junior College experience, expect him to see immediate playing time in the upcoming 2007 season.  He will have 3 years to play 2.

21) Jermaine Love is just what the Hogs need in the LB corp.  He's already a prototype LB with huge strength (benches 385 and squats 550).  As a junior, he recorded 140 tackles and 10 sacks.  As a senior he topped that with 156 tackles.  He is rated the no. 14 LB in the nation and had around 50 schollie offers from around the nation.  Expect to see him on the field early in the 2007 season.

22) Isaac Madison might move to CB and see significant playing time in 2008.  If injuries are few, he might redshirt 2007.

23) Seth Oxner has the potential to be an All-American Center for the Razorbacks.  He'll have to wait in line behind Jonathan Luigs, another outstanding Center.  He is rated the no. 4 Center in the nation and was voted Emfinger's Lineman of Year.  This Monticello native is one of the best commits in the class.  Expect Seth to redshirt in 2007 and play as a backup until 2009.

24) Rhett Richardson is the second scholarship dedicated to special teams.  He is a VERY consistent deep snapper that is VERY quick at the snap.  Speed in the snap is essential to prevent punt, FG, and PAT blocks.  He can deliver them all at better than average (college level) speeds.  He's rated the number 4 deep snapper recruit in the country.  Expect to see him often in 2007.

25) Alex Tejada is just what the Razorbacks have been sorely missing, a long-range and consistent FG kicker.  In the '05 season, Alex kicked a 55 yarder.  His long for the '06 season was 50 yards.  He was 7/17 FGs this year, not a great percentage.  But I'm told that most of his misses were from 50+.  He was 24/27 PATs for the season and holds the state record career PATs and season PATs (174 and 84 from the 2005 season, respectively).  Another luxury with Alex will be his ability to kickoff into the endzone.  His coach said he kicked touchbacks around 75% of the time.  Expect him to kick the 2007 season off!

26) Crosby Tuck is Shiloh Christian's go-to wide out.  He has racked up over 4,000 yards and 50 touchdowns in his career.  While at the 7 on 7 tournament in Hoover (which they won), the only prospect there mention more was 5* QB Willie Korn.  He was referred to have "blistered all the DB's throughout the tourney".  Crosby held offers from Troy and Central Florida, but had serious looks from Auburn, Ok St, and South Carolina.  Due to all the redshirt WR's from the '06 class, expect Crosby to spend his first year in the weight room and pratice squad, honing his skills.  I expect to see him as a backup in the 2008.

27) DJ Williams is rated the number 9 TE in the nation according to Rivals.  As a junior, he caught 51 passes for 688 yards and 8 touchdowns.  DJ chose the Hogs over Colorado, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, Ole Miss, OK State, and Vanderbilt.  One of our top recruits for the class of 2007.  Expect DJ to be another immediate impact player for 2007 at the TE or HB position.

[Razorback_Z71]

Last year at this time, we only had one commitment.  This is shaping up to be a great recruiting class!  Will update as we get more commits...

    Name                  Position          Size            40 Speed          Hometown
 
1) Brandon Barnett       RB           5-9 205 lbs          4.4            El Dorado, KS
2) Jake Bequette          DE          6-5 255lbs          4.85            Little Rock, AR
3) Grant Cook              OL          6-6 305 lbs           5.1           Jonesboro, AR
4) Tim Dial                  LB           6-3 210 lbs           4.4           Jenks, OK
5) Grant Freeman         TE          6-7 243 lbs           4.9           Paris, AR
6) Wade Grayson         OL          6-3 260 lbs            5.1           Harrison, AR
7) Seth Oxner             OL          6-4 285 lbs          5.19           Monticello, AR
8} Crosby Tuck           WR          6-1 185 lbs          4.43          Springdale, AR

Tomcat... Is there any way you can post which coach was recruiting each player?    It would be interesting to see the results produced by GM compaired to other coaches. 

thanks.

[RBLtoHOG]

Half will say recruited by GM and the other half will say "Not Sure"

[Tomhog™]

I'll certainly see what I can find...

[J.A.Y.]

Great Job Tomcat, I too am interested in who is in personal contact with each recruit and who is largely responsible.

Keep us informed.

[jabohog]

It's easier when you have instate talent that wants to come here. All but one of these eight are from Arkansas. The job of recruiting out of state talent that I keep reading about from TRG isn't shaping up as well. Seems Gus is the only coach making regular contact. The others can't seem to get out of the gym.

[J_Ville_Devils_Den]

Name                Pos   Hometown
Brandon Barnett  RB    El Dorado, KS        Shibest
Jake Bequette    DE    Little Rock, AR       D Nutt
Grant Cook        OL    Jonesboro, AR        D Nutt
Tim Dial             LB    Jenks, OK             G Malzahn
Grant Freeman   TE     Paris, AR              Markuson
Wade Grayson    OL    Harrison, AR          Markuson
Seth Oxner        OL    Monticello, AR       Not Listed
Crosby Tuck      WR    Springdale, AR       G Malzahn

* All according to Rivals

[mossfan3]

I just hope we can add Ziemba and Burns to that list.  If we get them and some LB's I will be thrilled.  A certain kicker wouldn't hurt either.

[bigred7987]

Why do only 2 of our players have any stars at all

[GrizzledHogFan]

Why do only 2 of our players have any stars at all

Rivals hasn't finished rating all of the players yet.

[Kilgor]

Not a single defensive coach on there.

[The Coletrain]

That's because there's only one defensive player on there.     But I'm sure that will change in the next month or so.  Everyone knows we need LBs and DL.  Herring will get his boys before it's over.

[Tomhog™]

It's easier when you have instate talent that wants to come here. All but one of these eight are from Arkansas. The job of recruiting out of state talent that I keep reading about from TRG isn't shaping up as well. Seems Gus is the only coach making regular contact. The others can't seem to get out of the gym.

This is something that need to be kept in perspective.  There was no recruiting war for the in-state guys, so the recruiters could be a little 'lazy' and not lose out.  The out of state players are a whole different ballgame...

[Tomhog™]

That's because there's only one defensive player on there.     But I'm sure that will change in the next month or so.  Everyone knows we need LBs and DL.  Herring will get his boys before it's over.

Actually two.  Tim Dial, LB and Jake Bequette, DE.  But your point is well taken.

[Tomhog™]

Name                Pos   Hometown
Brandon Barnett  RB    El Dorado, KS        Shibest
Jake Bequette    DE    Little Rock, AR       D Nutt
Grant Cook        OL    Jonesboro, AR        D Nutt
Tim Dial             LB    Jenks, OK             G Malzahn
Grant Freeman   TE     Paris, AR              Markuson
Wade Grayson    OL    Harrison, AR          Markuson
Seth Oxner        OL    Monticello, AR       Not Listed
Crosby Tuck      WR    Springdale, AR       G Malzahn

* All according to Rivals

Thanks for the help.  I found Seth's recruiters...

[philobeddoe]

Half will say recruited by GM and the other half will say "Not Sure"

Seems that there are other coaches involved.  Don't be a hater.

[bigred7987]

also most of those guys were hog locks from the beginning.

[J.A.Y.]

Can anybody post the new ratings that Rivals has posted for the AR guys.

[Tomhog™]

Can anybody post the new ratings that Rivals has posted for the AR guys.

Yeah, I'll get those up there too...

[J.A.Y.]

Just found it....

Seth Onxer  3 star

Wade Grayson   3 star

Crosby Tuck   3 star

Tim Dial    2 Star

Grant Freeman   4 star

Jake Bequette  3 star

Grant Cook  3 star

[The Coletrain]

That's because there's only one defensive player on there.     But I'm sure that will change in the next month or so.  Everyone knows we need LBs and DL.  Herring will get his boys before it's over.

Actually two.  Tim Dial, LB and Jake Bequette, DE.  But your point is well taken.

Forgot about Big Jake.  He was listed as a TE, too, but I know he'll more than likely end up at DE.  Particularly with us already having Cleveland, Paris, and potentially Williams.  (Although I'd love to see DJ at DE or LB.)

[Tomhog™]

Just found it....

Seth Onxer  3 star

Wade Grayson   3 star

Crosby Tuck   3 star

Tim Dial    2 Star

Grant Freeman   4 star

Jake Bequette  3 star

Grant Cook  3 star

The JUCO RB Barnett was the only one without a rating.  Thanks... +uno

[mtownhog]

does anyone know what position grant freemans gonna be playing in college? i know hes listed as a tight end but i cant see someone that big playing anything but tackle

[scorekeeper]

Tim Dial will be an outstanding player.  I cant wait to see him play.  A LB with that type of speed is what the Hogs need.  I like a defense with speed and the Hogs are going in that direction.

[Tomhog™]

does anyone know what position grant freemans gonna be playing in college? i know hes listed as a tight end but i cant see someone that big playing anything but tackle

With his size, he could play just about any position on the line.  I would think they'd keep him as a TE to add another heavy duty blocker on the line for run situations...

[J.A.Y.]

That is exactly what I have heard as well,

He supposedly has great hands. He would be a nice big target like Georgia's TE last year.

[Tomhog™]

Just think of the line we'd have with 6'7 Freeman, 6'7 Ziemba (hopefully), and 6'6 Cook coming in.  WE gonna have some size all along the line!

[bigred7987]

Not too often 7 of your 8 commitments are white hah

[GrizzledHogFan]

Not too often 7 of your 8 commitments are white hah

What does that have to do with anything?

[bigred7987]

just pointing out something you usually don't see these days.  nothing "racist" behind that so don't look into it like that

[Tomhog™]

Not too often 7 of your 8 commitments are white hah

It's probably a reflection of the positions that are filled.  If we had 8 commits that are WR's or RB's or DB's (the quicker, more agile positions), it could very well be the opposite statistic.  I don't care what color they are. When they become a Hog, all I see is the color red!

[bigred7987]

I agree Tomcat I was just pointing out something you dont see very often

[mtownhog]

Not too often 7 of your 8 commitments are white hah

It's probably a reflection of the positions that are filled.  If we had 8 commits that are WR's or RB's or DB's (the quicker, more agile positions), it could very well be the opposite statistic.  I don't care what color they are. When they become a Hog, all I see is the color red!

amen brotha

[LRCentralTiger]

Just think of the line we'd have with 6'7 Freeman, 6'7 Ziemba (hopefully), and 6'6 Cook coming in.  WE gonna have some size all along the line!

With Ziemba's dad being an ex-Auburn Tiger, is he looking very hard at AU or UA or other?  Are the Hogs in the running?

[bigred7987]

he talks with over half of our commitments, best friends with Oxner.  I'd say our chances are good

[Hogstocking]

This is most likely a irrelevant post, but since I'm starting to get sauced up, who cares.

A 5.8 RR rating on rivals is the lowest you can have as a 4 star.  If Oxner has a good season he could be a 4 star before its all said and done.  His RR rating is 5.7

Also, Last year 7 players had RR ratings above 5.5 (Salters, Gregory, Norman, Stumon, Hart, Williams and Mustain)...Our current verbals for 07, we already have 5 players with a RR rating above 5.5....(Freeman, Oxner, Bequette, Cook and Tuck).....Ziemba and Green both have RR ratings of 6.0....Not bad, consider our top two instaters last year.... Damian Williams had a 5.9 rating and of course Mitch was a 6.1


6.1 Franchise Player; considered one of the elite prospects in the country, generally among the nation's top 25 players overall; deemed to have excellent pro potential; high-major prospect

6.0-5.8 All-American Candidate; high-major prospect; considered one of the nation's top 200 prospects; deemed to have pro potential and ability to make an impact on college team

5.7-5.5 All-Region Selection; considered among the region's top prospects and among the top 500 or so prospects in the country; high-to-mid-major prospect; deemed to have pro potential and ability to make an impact on college team

5.4-5.0 Division I prospect; considered a mid-major prospect; deemed to have limited pro potential but definite Division I prospect; may be more of a role player

4.9 Sleeper; no Rivals.com expert knew much, if anything, about this player; a prospect that only a college coach really knew about

[GrizzledHogFan]

This is most likely a irrelevant post, but since I'm starting to get sauced up, who cares.

A 5.8 RR rating on rivals is the lowest you can have as a 4 star.  If Oxner has a good season he could be a 4 star before its all said and done.  His RR rating is 5.7

Also, Last year 7 players had RR ratings above 5.5 (Salters, Gregory, Norman, Stumon, Hart, Williams and Mustain)...Our current verbals for 07, we already have 5 players with a RR rating above 5.5....

Your observational skills are to be commended.

[Tomhog™]

Nice accumulation of data, Piggy.  I learn something new everyday...

[Tomhog™]

List updated.

[Hogstocking]

Thanks GMB and Tomcat.

As I said earlier, I'm not sure if these numbers are relevant, but it might be something to consider instead of just looking at a players star rating. 

Like Ziemba and Green for example.  They have the highest possible 4 star rating (6.0), while the rest of the 4 star instate kids all have a 5.8 rating (Freeman, Burns and Williams)

[The Coletrain]

I know this may sound a little bit like Rosie Perez in 'White Men Can't Jump,' but sometimes a B can really be an F.  And sometimes a D can really be an A.  But a lot of times a C is really a C. 

That's the problem with the rankings system, as a general rule it's pretty accurate.  If you sign 14 4 & 5 star players and I sign 3 you're probably going to beat me every year.  But on an individual basis the rankings can be way off.   And I think we can all give tons of specific examples - both good and bad - to back that up.

[Tomhog™]

*bump*

Since it was unstickied as quick as I've ever seen one, I'll just have to move it up from time to time...

[Tomhog™]

List updated...

[orgkeith]

Why does everyone list Freeman as running a 4.9 when he ran a 5.3 at the only camp he attended?

[Tomhog™]

Why does everyone list Freeman as running a 4.9 when he ran a 5.3 at the only camp he attended?

It was listed that way on Rivals.  If it's wrong, then my time is wrong too...

[Tomhog™]

Updated...

[Tomhog™]

updated to add DJ to the list...

[Hawgballz]

updated to add DJ to the list...

To fill in one of the ? you have in your worksheet.  Danny Nutt was the recruiter for DJ Williams.  He spoke very highly of Nutt today at his presser.

[Tomhog™]

updated to add DJ to the list...

To fill in one of the ? you have in your worksheet.  Danny Nutt was the recruiter for DJ Williams.  He spoke very highly of Nutt today at his presser.

Thanks.  I haven't had time to research it myself. Now I don't have to! 

[Deuce Pigelow]

Am I the only one who thinks we should be recuiting less TE's and more LB's and DL's??