FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas will open its season Saturday as the Bobby Petrino Era begins in Fayetteville.

But Petrino has already made his mark in recruiting, signing what was widely acknowledged as a top-25 class in February despite a late start.

It’s very unusual for a new coach to sign an outstanding class in his first effort, but Petrino appears to have accomplished that. In addition, Petrino and his staff are well on their way to what appears to be another good class for 2009.

The Razorbacks have 11 oral commitments and could be on the verge of adding to that total, possibly at wide receiver, where Arkansas does not yet have any commitments.

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Texarkana (Texas ) Texas High’s Cobi Hamilton, 6-3, 190 pounds, 4. 54 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has Arkansas at the top of his list followed by Missouri and Kansas. Hamilton is from the same high school as sophomore quarterback Ryan Mallett, who is urging Hamilton to join him in Fayetteville. Mallett is sitting out this season after transferring from Michigan but will have three years of eligibility remaining. Hamilton caught 29 passes for 726 yards and 7 touchdowns as a junior.

“I have talked to [assistant ] Coach [Bobby ] Allen a couple of times recently,” Hamilton said. “I talk to Ryan three or four times a week. Arkansas keeps telling me they want me as a big receiver.”

Lafayette (La. ) Carencro wide receiver Ricky Johnson, 6-2, 190, 4. 43, is down to Arkansas and Georgia Tech and said he hopes to be in attendance when the Razorbacks host Western Illinois on Saturday. Johnson said he hopes to make a decision shortly after the Labor Day weekend.

Independence (Kan. ) Community College wide receiver Andre Simmons, 6-3, 200, 4. 42, said this week Arkansas is high on his list. Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma State, Colorado and South Florida are among the others showing interest in Simmons, but only Kansas State has made an offer. Simmons caught 57 passes for 890 yards and 7 touchdowns during his first season of junior college.

“I want to go somewhere I can fit in and get to next level,” Simmons said. “Location isn’t important. Arkansas is opening up its offense this year and I like that. Arkansas is one of my favorites.”

Havana (Fla. ) East Gadsden athlete Lance Ray, 6-2, 183, 4. 41, can play more than one position, but Arkansas offensive coordinator Paul Petrino wants him to play wide receiver. Florida is at the top of Ray’s list, but Razorbacks and dozens of others who have offered will be in the mix if Florida doesn’t show interest.

Pine Bluff Dollarway athlete Jesse Grandy, 5-11, 172, 4. 44, will likely play wide receiver in college though some feel he would be a talented cornerback. Arkansas, Tulsa, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Louisiana Tech are in the hunt for him at this time.

Arkansas has a commitment from Frisco (Texas ) Wakeland quarterback Will Secord, 6-2, 206, 4. 66, the only quarterback the Hogs are currently recruiting. Arkansas has six quarterbacks on campus, though starter Casey Dick is a senior.

At tailback, Helena-West Helena Central’s Turell Williams, 6-2, 206, 4. 52, has committed, and it’s likely Arkansas will sign at least one more tailback in this class.

Fort Bend (Texas ) Willowridge’s Knile Davis, 6-1, 209, 4. 48, rushed for 359 yards and 2 touchdowns on 48 carries as a junior and fits the Petrino model of tailbacks with good speed and size. Davis is considering Arkansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma.

Other tailbacks considering Arkansas are St. Louis University’s Ronnie Wingo, 6-3, 212, 4. 4, and Tyler (Texas ) Chapel Hill’s Matthew Tucker, 6-1, 210, 4. 45. Wingo has his decision down to Arkansas, Missouri, Alabama, Illinois and Oklahoma. Tucker is favoring TCU and Arkansas.

Harrison tight end Austin Tate, 6-6, 230, 4. 75, is one of the state’s best-kept secrets. Tate caught 42 passes for 708 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, but still didn’t get the publicity he deserved before he committed to Arkansas.

Arkansas has four oral commitments from offensive linemen. It’s not certain at this time if Arkansas will look to add to that total.

(Next week: a preview of Arkansas’ recruiting on defense )