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THE RECRUITING GUY : Visit assures Youngblood that Arkansas is right choice Published: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 PRINT E-MAIL While his official visit didn't reveal anything earth-shattering, Camden Fairview quarterback Jim Youngblood said it convinced him even more about his oral commitment to Arkansas. "It was great," Youngblood said. "Not that there wasn't anything that I had questions about, but it reassured me that I made the right decision. I had a great weekend and really enjoyed being up there." Youngblood, 6-3, 217 pounds, 4. 69 seconds in the 40-yard dash, said spending time with Coach Bobby Petrino and quarterback coach Garrick McGee was one of the more enjoyable things about the visit. "I really enjoyed meeting with both of them," Youngblood said. "I got to go over the daily practices and daily routines." Youngblood hung out with most of the recruits during the weekend and said he feels confident about the Razorbacks' chances of landing most of them.
"I was with them all the time except for individual meetings," Youngblood said. "I feel good about all the guys who were there. I'm not too sure about Aundre Dean; I'm not sure what he's thinking. But I feel good about Joe Adams, the Warren crew and my bunch [De'Anthony Curtis and Lavunce Askew ]." Youngblood said a dinner at Reynolds Razorback Stadium and a pep talk from Petrino were other highlights. Athletic Director Jeff Long also spoke with recruits. "We got to a do a little pregame thing where Coach Petrino gave us a speech and we got to try on our jerseys and ran out on the field with the fight song playing," Youngblood said. "That was pretty cool. That was probably the most exciting part of the weekend." ODEN SOLD ON UA Coach Bobby Petrino will get at least one oral commitment this weekend when 20 to 25 prospects make official visits to Arkansas. Offensive tackle Anthony Oden of Indianapolis Lawrence North said he will commit to Arkansas during his visit. Oden, 6-8, 295, 4. 87 seconds in the 40-yard dash, made an unofficial visit to Fayetteville for the Florida International game and said he realized the Razorbacks offered everything he needed in a school. He had been on campus previously during the Real Deal on the Hill basketball tournament. He said he made his decision last week after meeting offensive line coach Mike Summers. "I made the decision last Thursday," Oden said. "I sat down and thought about it. Coach Summers came down and met with me at my school, and I talked to him for about 45 minutes to an hour. He explained everything to me and showed me what the university could do for me and told me how he could help me out as a player and as a person." Oden is the younger brother of Greg Oden, who was taken No. 1 overall last year in the NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. Anthony Oden canceled scheduled visits to Oregon State and Indiana and said Petrino will visit him at school today. STALEY PLANS VISIT One of the top recruits in Oklahoma will take an official visit to Arkansas this weekend. Athlete Kye Staley, 6-0, 215, 4. 5, of Guthrie High School orally committed to Oklahoma State last summer but wants to check out the Hogs before making a final decision. Staley made an unofficial visit to Arkansas last spring and said he is looking forward to seeing more on this visit. "My decision will come down to Oklahoma State and Arkansas," said Staley, who played quarterback and ran for more than 1, 300 yards and threw for more than 600 yards. "I've been to Arkansas before, but I haven't seen everything so I'm looking forward to that." Staley said he met assistant coach Garrick McGee for the first time last week and liked McGee's laid-back attitude. McGee is well-known in Oklahoma, having played at Tulsa Washington before starring at quarterback for the Oklahoma Sooners. Staley said Oklahome State and Arkansas are recruiting him as a running back, and early playing time will play a vital role in his decision. Staley said he's admired the Hogs for some time and likes how the Razorbacks are the focal point of the state. "I've always liked Arkansas but never really gave them a chance," said Staley, who has more than 10 scholarship offers. "I thought I would give them a chance to see what they're talking about. " I know Coach [Houston ] Nutt is gone, but it wasn't the coach I liked. I liked the campus, and Arkansas is basically the only college. I know there's Arkansas State, but most people focus on Arkansas. It's a fun place to be." Staley isn't sure when he'll make his decision. He could wait until national signing day before choosing. E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline. com More Stories From: RICHARD DAVENPORT · THE RECRUITING GUY : Oklahoma State offers Hamilton; Arkansas favored · THE RECRUITING GUY : Defensive end could give UA’s stock boost · THE RECRUITING GUY : Hogs, fans leave favorable impression on Crawford · THE RECRUITING GUY : UA mining for West Virginia gem · THE RECRUITING GUY : Junior college linebacker impressed with Arkansas Yesterday's Most Popular 1. Pelphrey expects Monk to join team 2. Pelphrey: Early signees fill Razorbacks’ needs 3. Neck and neck : Brothers split snaps at quarterback in Tuesday practice 4. ARKANSAS AT MISSISSIPPI STATE : Brother vs. brother 5. Hogs’ signees pass eye test, coach says Today's Most E-mailed 1. LIKE IT IS : Arkansas made right choice in hiring Petrino 3. Razorbacks face Princeton clone 4. Richardson, 6 others to be inducted into College Basketball Hall of Fame 5. ARKANSAS AT MISSISSIPPI STATE : Hogs work to regain ‘physicality’ |
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