Arkansas’ recruiting efforts were somewhat limited with the coaching change but a strong finish in the state sees the Razorbacks class viewed favorably by national recruiting services.

The ability of the Razorbacks staff to persuade committed prospects to make official visits to Arkansas in a short period of time was most impressive. Also the late addition of Central Arkansas Christian’s Joe Adams helped elevate the class.

The Razorbacks class was ranked No. 23 by Scout. com and No. 37 by Rivals. com. Tom Lemming of CSTV ranks the class No. 26 in the nation, while ESPN ranked the class 18 th in the country.

Lemming applauded Arkansas’ success in keeping homegrown talent within the state.

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“Overall, it was a rousing success considering the coaching change,” Lemming said. “It’s one of the better jobs Arkansas has done in-state, in keeping everybody. If they put a fence around Arkansas, like they did this year, and go into Texas, I see them up with the elite teams. [Arkansas Coach Bobby ] Petrino really put a fence around the state and made a statement.”

Lemming, who has covered the national recruiting scene for 30 years, sees things only getting better for future Razorbacks classes.

“I think the only way they can improve, and I think they will now that the staff is intact, is to go into Texas,” Lemming said. “Once they go into Texas — like Oklahoma, like LSU and Oklahoma State and Nebraska do — I think they can have a ton of success.” Arkansas recruiting coordinator Tim Horton liked how the Razorbacks landed every prospect that Petrino met.

“Obviously we’re thrilled,” Horton said. “Especially with the way things went in-state. We’re very fortunate that it was such a strong year in the state of Arkansas. And for us to get every kid that Coach Petrino went into their home or their school is huge for us.”

The state produced a higher-than-average volume of toplevel talent this year and Horton was pleased that they’ll be Razorbacks.

“We got some big-time players,” Horton said. “The quarterback situation was obviously addressed with three really good players. You hate to individualize but you know the Joe Adamses, the De’Anthony Curtises and Dennis Johnsons and others. We’re just really pleased with how things turned out.” Rivals. com

SEC RATINGS 1. Alabama (1 ) 2. Florida (3 ) 3. Georgia (6 ) 4. LSU (11 ) 5. Auburn (20 ) 6. South Carolina (22 ) 7. Ole Miss (24 ) 8. Tennessee (36 ) 9. Arkansas (37 ) 10. Mississippi State (45 ) 11. Kentucky (57 ) 12. Vanderbilt (89 ) NATIONAL TOP 10 1. Alabama 2. Notre Dame 3. Florida 4. Miami 5. Oklahoma 6. Georgia 7. USC 8. Florida State 9. Ohio State 10. Michigan Scout. com

SEC RATINGS 1. Alabama (1 ) 2. Georgia (4 ) 3. LSU (6 ) 4. Florida (11 ) 5. Auburn (19 ) 6. Arkansas (23 ) 7. Mississippi State (33 ) 8. Ole Miss (34 ) 9. South Carolina (35 ) 10. Tennessee (36 ) 11. Kentucky (50 ) 12. Vanderbilt (73 ) NATIONAL TOP 10 1. Alabama 2. Notre Dame 3. Miami 4. Georgia 5. Florida State 6. LSU 7. Ohio State 8. Michigan 9. UCLA 10. Clemson Tom Lemming of CSTV. com

SEC RATINGS 1. Alabama (1 ) 2. Florida (3 ) 3. Georgia (6 ) 4. LSU (14 ) 5. Auburn (17 ) 6. Arkansas (26 ) 7. Tennessee * 8. Mississippi State * 9. South Carolina * 10. Ole Miss * 11. Kentucky * 12. Vanderbilt * NATIONAL TOP 10 1. Alabama 2. Notre Dame 3. Florida 4. Ohio State 5. Oklahoma 6. Georgia 7. Texas 8. Miami 9. Florida State 10. USC