FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas offensive tackle Anthony Oden has re-enrolled in classes for the spring semester, Razorbacks coach Bobby Petrino confirmed Tuesday through a UA spokesperson.
Oden was forced to withdraw from classes in the fall because of complications from mononucleosis, Petrino said last month. Oden (6-foot-8, 328 pounds) was a back-up last season, but he is expected to compete for a starting spot next season with a pair of starting tackles departing because of graduation.
As a freshman, Oden started one game in 2009 at Alabama and played in six others that season, but did not play as a sophomore. Prior to his bout with mono, Oden was suspended for the season-opener in September.
In addition to Oden, five members of Arkansas’ 2011 football signing class are enrolled for the spring semester at the school, which began today.
Offensive tackle Brey Cook, wide receivers Quinta Funderburk and Marquel Wade, defensive tackle Robert Thomas and linebacker Tyler Gilbert are on campus and will go through spring practices with the Razorbacks.
Wade, who signed with Arkansas last February and went through one week of practice in the summer, spent the fall at Milford Academy in New York because of an academic issue. Thomas, who originally signed with the Razorbacks in February of 2009, has spent the last two seasons at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas.
Gilbert comes to Arkansas by way of of North Carolina Tech Prep after playing high school football at John Curtis Christian just outside New Orleans, while Cook and Funderburk were two of the most recruited players in their states during their senior years.
Cook, who is rated a five-star offensive tackle by Scout.com, played his prep football at Springdale Har-Ber, while Funderburk – rated a four-star receiver by Scout – played at Oscar F. Smith in Chesapeake, Va. Both graduated high school at midterm in December.
Jason Peacock, a junior college offensive lineman from Glendora Citrus College, is expected to enroll at the UA on Feb. 11 after completing course work at his current school. He is also expected to go through spring drills with the Razorbacks.
Offensive lineman Austin Beck, who is awaiting clearance by the NCAA, might enroll later this week. Beck, a Cowata, Okla., native, also graduated high school at the midterm.
Arkansas' recruiting class is expected to finish in the top 10 nationally, according to Scout. National Signing Day for football is Feb. 2.