Houston Nutt’s decision Monday to resign as Arkansas’ football coach left the Razorbacks ’ 19 oral commitments pondering their decisions.

Cornerback Junior Okpara of Sugarland (Texas ) Dulles didn’t understand the decision.

“I don’t know why they did it, because he had as good of a season as they thought they would,” said Okpara, who orally committed to Arkansas in July. “Stuff happens. That’s just college football. They didn’t do too bad. They went 8-4 and they beat the No. 1 team in the nation. That was a real big win.

“ I don’t know why they didn’t re-sign him and give him an extension.”

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Arkansas recruiting coordinator / safeties coach Chris Vaughn has been Okpara’s primary recruiter. Okpara said Vaughn leaving would hurt, but he is keeping a wait-and-see attitude.

“Head coach is one thing, but it’s my own recruiting coordinator that I know the most,” Okpara said. “It wouldn’t be a good thing at all if Coach Vaughn ended up leaving. I may open up my recruitment again, but I have to wait and see with what happens to the staff.”

Camden Fairview quarterback Jim Youngblood said he wasn’t shocked by the news.

“At first I didn’t know what to think,” Youngblood said. “The way things were going lately, some people kind of expected it. I guess it wasn’t that big of a surprise. I think whatever is going to make Coach Nutt happy, that’s what he needs to do. Whatever he does, I wish him the best of luck.”

Youngblood said he will honor his commitment.

“We’re just waiting to see what happens,” said Youngblood, who orally committed to the Razorbacks in February. “There’s nothing that’s going to change my decision or change how I feel for the Razorbacks. Whoever the new coach is, I’m going to welcome him and try to get to know them.”

Camden Fairview running back De’Anthony Curtis heard about Nutt’s resignation from Youngblood shortly before 4 p. m. Monday.

“We were coming to the field house and Jim told me about it,” said Curtis, 5-10, 209, 4. 41. “It won’t affect my decision. I committed to the school. I’m going to be a Hog.”

Curtis, who committed to Arkansas in July, said he thought Nutt would return next season after the victory against LSU.

“I thought he was good because of the big win this weekend,” he said.

Camden Fairview defensive lineman Lavunce Askew said he regretted hearing about Nutt’s departure.

“He’s been at Arkansas for a very long time,” said Askew, who orally committed to the Hogs late July. “I’ll love them [Arkansas ] and like them like always. I’m sorry he’s leaving.”

Askew said Nutt’s leaving wouldn’t affect his commitment but indicated he might waver if defensive line coach Tracy Rocker isn’t retained.

Linebacker Jelani Smith of Abbeville, La., took Nutt’s departure in stride and said he’s still a solid commitment.

“I haven’t had a change of heart or a change of mind,” said Smith, who committed to Arkansas in June. “I just hope the coach that comes in welcomes [me ] like Nutt did. He made me feel welcomed.”

Offensive lineman Josh Tatum of Marbury, Ala., learned of the news early Monday afternoon from Coach Kyle Glover.

“He and I talked, and he asked ‘What are you going to do ?’ and I said I think they made a mistake because he’s a great coach and he has a lot of enthusiasm and I loved him to death. They’re not going to find another coach like him, I don’t think.”

Tatum wasn’t sure of his plans. He said Nutt was the primary reason he considered Arkansas.

“The only reason I ever put Arkansas in the picture was because of that man,” Tatum said. “Him and Coach [Mike ] Markuson was the only reasons I put Arkansas No. 1 on my list.”

Running back Devin Thomas of San Antonio orally committed in late July and wasn’t pleased about Nutt’s resignation.

“I’ll just have to see which part of the coaching staff is staying and which coach is going to replace him and what the coach’s [ offensive ] scheme is,” Thomas said. “I’m not planning to de-commit anytime soon. I’m going to wait and see how it all plays out.”

Thomas said his commitment was tied in to the coaching staff and the school.

“I committed to both, really,” said Thomas, who chose Arkansas over Texas A&M, Stanford, Missouri and Purdue. “I made my decision on Arkansas, and the coaching staff was a big factor.”

Warren wide receiver Chris Gragg said Nutt’s leaving was a jolt but he hopes to find out more from the remaining coaches.

“I never really talked to Coach Nutt a lot,” said Gragg, who orally committed to the Razorbacks in July. “Coach [David ] Lee was the one recruiting me. I’m supposed to talk with him. I talked to Coach Tim Horton today and he said they’ll be coming down here, and I heard Coach Lee might be coming to sit down and talk with us face to face about the situation.”

Warren wide receiver Jarius Wright had no comment when contacted Monday.

Russellville offensive lineman Matt Hall said he was sorry to see Nutt leave.

“He’s obviously a great coach, but you understand the reasons why he left because they talked about his family,” said Hall, who orally committed to Arkansas in September 2006. “He’s right when he said he feels like he has to do it. He feels like it’s not best for Arkansas for him being the coach any more, so he has to step down.”

Hall said Nutt’s decision doesn’t affect his plans. He said he is still committed to the Razorbacks.

“My commitment is 100 percent like it’s always been,” he said. “I’m Arkansas Razorback at heart. This is where I was born and raised. I couldn’t sign anywhere else but my home state.”