BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — Arkansas appears to be making recruiting inroads in the Tulsa area this year with two football recruits already on board.

Tulsa East Central cornerback David Gordon, 6-0, 170 pounds, 4. 4 seconds in the 40-yard dash, and Broken Arrow offensive lineman Alvin Bailey, 6-4, 300, 5. 3, have told Arkansas assistant Garrick McGee they plan to sign with the Razorbacks in February.

Bailey and his teammates practiced in pads Friday for the first time this fall.

“It’s going pretty good for the first day [in pads ],” Bailey said.

Bailey made his decision Aug. 5 and said he’s relieved to have it over with so he can concentrate on his senior season.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I feel really confident,” Bailey said. “I’m excited and everything and glad to get the whole recruiting process done with.” Bailey and his family took an unofficial visit to Arkansas on Aug. 1, and he said that pretty much solidified the choice for him and removed any doubts.

“The environment over there wasn’t like the rest of them,” Bailey said. “It was different. The rest of them felt the same, but not long after I got there I knew it was the place for me.” Bailey is also complimentary of McGee and how he handled the recruiting process.

“Him and my dad have become really good friends throughout the entire process,” Bailey said. “We have talked a lot lately.” Bailey said he feels with his recruiting decision out of the way he can now concentrate on helping Broken Arrow succeed this fall.

“I think we have a chance to be really good if we keep working hard,” Bailey said. “Coach [Ron ] Lancaster has changed everything. He came in here and threw everything out and basically started over. It’s a lot harder, but it’s worth it in the end.” The Tigers are coming off a 6-5 season but should be much improved this fall. Bailey is rated the No. 38 offensive guard in the nation by Rivals. com and feels he has the potential to make an early impact at Arkansas.

“I have quick feet, I’m pretty athletic, and I’m quick off the ball,” Bailey said. “That’s a pretty good combination.” Bailey’s father, Alvin, played basketball at Arkansas and lettered for the 1979 team out of Helena-West Helena Central. Bailey said even though his father was a Razorback, he didn’t force Arkansas on him.

“He told me it was a good school and everything, but throughout the whole process he wasn’t wanting me to go there really bad or anything,” Bailey said. “He just basically told me it was my decision. When I did make the decision, he was pretty excited as well as was my whole family.” Prior to Friday’s practice in pads, the Tigers had three days of practicing in shorts.

“It was mostly just fundamentals and working on technique,” Bailey said. “We were putting in the offense and everything. It was good practices, but it’s time to get after it and everything now.” Bailey has seen the magazines picking the Razorbacks at or near the bottom of the SEC West. Bailey, like many players currently on the Razorbacks, isn’t buying all the negative forecasts for the team.

“I think they are focusing too much on who left and a new system,” Bailey said. “I don’t think it’s going to be a big deal really.” Bailey said his final decision came down to Arkansas and Oklahoma after also getting offers from Kansas, Kansas State, Michigan State, Iowa State and Nebraska.

McGee isn’t going to stop recruiting the Tulsa area just because he has landed Bailey and Gordon. McGee and Arkansas also have targeted Muskogee defensive tackle Robert Thomas, 6-1, 295, 5. 0, Jenks cornerback Gabe Lynn, 6-0, 185, 4. 47, and Tulsa Union athlete Terrell Williams, 6-3, 215, 4. 62.

Thomas is committed to Kansas State but still has Arkansas on his list. Williams and Lynn are still open.

Thomas, Lynn and Williams attended the Bobby Petrino Football Camp in June, though Lynn didn’t participate.