RECRUITING : Arkansas working to add to its stockpile of receivers

OTIS KIRK

Posted on Sunday, May 4, 2008

URL: http://www.wholehogsports.com/adg/224719/

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino was able to land several quality wide receivers in his first class this past February. Petrino and his staff appear to be in on several more talented receivers for the Class of 2009. In the state, Arkansas has made scholarship offers to Pulaski Academy’s Neal Barlow, 6-6, 200, 4. 6 seconds in the 40-yard dash, and Dollarway’s Jesse Grandy, 5-11, 154, 4. 44. Barlow is a pure receiver while Grandy is more of an athlete capable of playing numerous positions. The state has other talented receivers who might eventually gain an offer from Arkansas including Warren’s Quinn Franklin, 6-3, 180, 4. 56, Lonoke’s Clarence Harris, 6-2, 170, 4. 5, and Hot Springs

1 Lakeside’s Ben Crumpton, 5-10 / 2, 177, 4. 47, as well as others. As a junior, Barlow caught 81 passes for 1, 164 yards and 11 touchdowns. Barlow also has an offer from Tulsa’s Gus Malzahn while North Carolina and Butch Davis appear on the verge of making an offer. Barlow was in Fayetteville last weekend for Junior Day and the Red-White football game.

“I enjoyed it a whole lot,” Barlow said. “The facilities are great, the atmosphere was awesome and it was amazing how many people were there. If they have that many for a scrimmage, it will really be rocking when they have a real game.”

Barlow said the Razorbacks are his favorites, but he doesn’t plan to announce his decision in the near future.

“I’m going to decide before school starts,” Barlow said. “However, I may have it done before then. I just want to wait and see who shows interest.”

While Barlow is uncommitted, he’s very impressed with Petrino’s offense and what the future should be like at Arkansas.

“I love that offense,” Barlow said. “D. J. [Williams ] had like five catches all last year and he had that many in the first quarter on Saturday. Another thing I liked is the ball went to a lot of receivers, not just one person. It’s an offense that allows everyone to show what they can do.”

Barlow said while the Razorbacks are his favorite, he also likes North Carolina, Tulsa, Ohio State, Georgia Tech and numerous others. Barlow plans to stay busy this summer while playing hoops for the Arkansas Wings, 7-on-7 for the Bruins and then trying to work in some college camps as well.

“I will be at some camps,” Barlow said. “I have some invitations to some, but I can’t make them all because of conflicts. I haven’t picked the ones I will attend yet.”

Barlow said wide receiver Cruz Williams, who signed with Arkansas in February from Pulaski Academy, has been recruiting him to play at Arkansas as well.

The talented wide receivers being sought by the Razorbacks aren’t limited to inside the state. Arkansas has several offers out to out-of-state wide receivers as well including Rivals. com four-star prospect Terry Hawthorne, 6-1, 175, 4. 5, of East St. Louis (Ill. ).

“The recruiting is going good,” Hawthorne said. “My favorites are Illinois, Arkansas, Arizona, Missouri and Kansas State.”

Hawthorne said Arkansas has offered him a scholarship and the hiring of Petrino piqued his interest in the Razorbacks.

“I like that Arkansas’ coach has been in the NFL,” Hawthorne said. “So has several of his assistants. I feel if I went to Arkansas and did a good job they could help me maybe get to the next level. It sounds like it would be a good relationship if I went to Arkansas.”

While Rivals has placed Hawthorne in its Top 250 players in the nation, Hawthorne said he’s still working hard to improve before he gets to college.

“I feel I do pretty good in all areas, but I do need to work on getting off the line of scrimmage,” Hawthorne said. “I also am working on my cuts while running routes.”

Hawthorne said Illinois is the only school on his list he has been to so far for an unofficial visit. He plans on making a trip to Arkansas this summer to check out the campus, facilities and academics.

“I have about six or seven offers right now,” Hawthorne said. “After my season, I will probably make a decision then. I want to take some official visits before I decide, but I don’t think I will be able to take them during the season.”

Among the several outof-state receivers Arkansas is recruiting in addition to Hawthorne is his teammate Kraig Appleton, 6-3, 190, 4. 5.