RECRUITING : Arkansas’ coaching staff unable to relax in summer

OTIS KIRK

Posted on Sunday, June 22, 2008

URL: http://www.wholehogsports.com/adg/229381/

Bobby Petrino and his staff will try to get some time away from football as summer vacations begin, but they can’t get completely away from it.

One thing that has complicated vacation plans for college coaches is the trend of athletes committing early. While it might seem like an athlete committing early would simplify things, it actually complicates them even more.

A lot of athletes now like to spend the summer taking unofficial visits to campuses and then make a decision.

Most have multiple scholarship offers, so they make unofficial visits instead of attending summer camps. They come to visit the campus at all times of the summer.

Arkansas has five oral commitments, following the recent decision by West Helena Central cornerback Darius Winston, 6-0, 180, 4. 37 seconds in the 40-yard dash, to withdraw the oral pledge he made to Arkansas the day after national signing day.

Winston is now looking at Michigan, Clemson, Arkansas and others, and he plans to be at Arkansas’ Seniors Camp on July 19.

Winston’s teammate Turell Williams, 6-2, 205, 4. 52, remains a firm commitment to Arkansas. Williams, a running back, committed to Ole Miss before switching to Arkansas.

Harrison tight end Austin Tate, 6-5, 220, 4. 7, recently committed to Arkansas as well.

Tate caught 42 passes for 708 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. He joins a long list of players who were lightly recruited before coming to Arkansas from Harrison.

Fayetteville offensive lineman Colby Berna, 6-4, 280, 5. 1, is Arkansas’ highest-rated commitment.

Berna is rated a four-star recruit by Rivals. com and has drawn interest since making his oral commitment, but he has told all the others he’s a firm commitment to Arkansas.

Petrino and his staff have reached into Texas to secure oral pledges from Frisco Wakeland quarterback Will Secord, 6-2, 204, 4. 66, and Caddo Mills defensive end Ryan Calender, 6-8, 220, 4. 8.

Calender had 85 tackles and 20 sacks while playing both ways. He played quarterback and tight end on offense, as well as end and outside linebacker on defense.

Secord completed 147 of 248 passes for 2, 019 yards and 23 touchdowns with only 5 interceptions as a junior, and he rushed for 83 yards and 5 touchdowns on 61 attempts.

In addition to Winston, Arkansas has in-state offers out to Dollarway athlete Jesse Grandy, 5-11, 154, 4. 44, Pulaski Academy wide receiver Neal Barlow, 6-7, 200, 4. 6, and Hoxie defensive lineman Derek Johnson, 6-4, 280, 5. 0.

Grandy is keeping his options open, Barlow has five scholarship offers with a sixth from North Carolina reportedly near, and Johnson has cast his lot with Texas.

Arkansas is continuing to evaluate other in-state recruits. Other than North Little Rock defensive end Anthony Rogers, 6-4, 230, 4. 9, who has committed to Mississippi State, it doesn’t appear the Razorbacks are close to offering any prospect.

Of course, that could change at the Seniors Camp or if someone emerges during their senior year. Center Jonathan Luigs wasn’t offered until late in his senior year but has turned into one of the top centers in the nation.

Arkansas appears to be doing well in Oklahoma with Garrick McGee, in Florida with Paul Petrino and Reggie Johnson, and in Georgia with Lorenzo Ward. Arkansas has Mike Summers, Bobby Allen and Kirk Botkin in Texas, and they are making their presence known.

Arkansas also has a chance to do well in Louisiana with Allen and Willy Robinson.

Tim Horton is considered one of the top recruiters in the SEC and has Arkansas as well as St. Louis, where three top prospects are very interested in the UA.

Rockwall (Texas ) Heath linebacker Austin Moss, 6-3, 208, 4. 67, visited Arkansas again this past week and will likely make a decision this summer.

Norcross (Ga. ) running back D. J. Adams, 5-10, 190, 4. 48, has already visited Arkansas this summer and plans to make a decision in July.

LSU and Florida recently offered Adams, who also has Arkansas, Notre Dame, Rutgers and others high on his list.