LITTLE ROCK — Among the 60 or so prospects attending Arkansas’ game against Tennessee were three highly recruited athletes the Hogs would love to sign.
Defensive lineman Mike Pennel and tight end Blake Jackson of Scottsdale, (Ariz.) Community College along with Florida junior-college linebacker Reggie Northrup arrived in Fayetteville on Friday and witnessed the Hogs’ 49-7 victory over Tennessee on Saturday.
Pennel, 6-6, 350, 4.98 seconds in the 40-yard dash, is probably one of the more impressive-looking linemen to visit Arkansas. The facilities, coaches, game atmosphere and fans impressed him.
“It actually exceeded my expectations,” said Pennel, who is being recruited by offensive line coach Chris Klenakis, as is Jackson. “The fans, I can’t say enough about the fans. They’re really wild and very supportive of the team. I felt a lot of love there. It’s easy to see how players can play in that atmosphere.”
Arkansas, Texas A&M, Washington State, Arizona, Arizona State and Colorado are among about 15 schools who have offered scholarships. Pennel, who reports a 405-pound bench press and a 575 squat, recorded 37 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 recovered fumbles and 1 forced fumble in 9 games this season.
“I was shocked and overwhelmed by the weight room and the equipment that was in the weight room and the way they train the players,” Pennel said. “They basically treat Arkansas like a NFL team.”
Pennel said he might cancel a planned visit to Washington State but is firm on visiting Texas A&M on Nov. 24.
He said was it was “overwhelming, shocking” to see how Arkansas strives to help the student-athlete on and off the field.
“They showed us genuine love and showed us how we can develop ourselves as young men and as athletes.” he said.
Pennel said he nearly committed to Arkansas on the visit.
“I was very, very tempted,” Pennel said. “My mother said she wanted to discuss it with me before I did. I was telling her this is the place to be.”
Jackson, 6-4, 235, 4.55 seconds in the 40-yard dash, made an unofficial visit to Arkansas during the Red-White spring game in April. Arkansas, Georgia, Miami, Missouri and Oklahoma State are among approximately 20 schools who have offered him.
“I kind of knew what to expect with all of the love I was going to get in Fayetteville,” Jackson said. “It was a really exciting game. Obviously a good win for Arkansas. It was good to see the offense work, and it was good to see the seniors go out right. “
Jackson said he liked Joe Adams’ 60-yard punt return, which was named the No. 1 play of the weekend by ESPN.
“That was a nasty play,” Jackson said. “That was spectacular.”
Jackson said he was impressed by the enthusiasm and passion of the Razorbacks fans.
“It’s just crazy, it’s crazy how loud everybody gets and how excited, how passionate everybody is about wanting the team to win,” Jackson said. “People were watching scores from other games to see if Arkansas would jump in the rankings. It just shows how much people care about the program and how successful they are.”
Jackson said he has attained a comfort level with the program after making two visits to campus and building relationships with Klenakis and offensive coordinator Garrick McGee.
“Not seeing the other two schools I have to say they’re in the lead,” Jackson said. “But I’m still going to look at those opportunities to check them out and see what those schools have to offer.”
Pennel and Jackson are looking to announce their decisions Dec. 15 and enroll at their school of choice in January.
Northrup, 6-2 1/2, 220, 4.57 seconds in the 40, of Jacksonville First Coast, has 26 scholarship offers, including Arkansas, Miami, Florida State, North Carolina, Auburn, South Carolina, and Michigan State. He’s committed to Miami but is exploring options because of the NCAA investigation into the Hurricane program.
“The facilities were top notch,” Northrup said. “The fans were unbelievable. The game atmosphere was awesome.”
Northrup had officially visited North Carolina before his trip to Arkansas. The trip to Fayetteville opened Northrup’s eyes to other possibilities.
“It did, it really did,” Northrup said. “I have my list narrowed down to Miami, Arkansas and North Carolina. This visit, I know I still have more thinking to do.”
Receivers coach Kris Cinkovich is Northrup’s lead recruiter.
“He’s a cool coach,” said Northrup, who plans to take his official visit to Miami in December. “He asked me how I liked it. I could see myself playing for Arkansas.”
E-mail Richard Davenport at
rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports, Pages 22 on 11/15/2011