THE RECRUITING GUY

Arkansas gives Florida center full-staff treatment

— Arkansas’ lack of size inside is something Coach Mike Anderson hopes to address in the spring signing period, and Florida center Bradley Hayes is one the Razorbacks hope to add to next year’s roster.

Hayes, 6-11, 250 pounds, of Jacksonville (Fla.) Sandalwood reports eight scholarship offers, including offers from Arkansas, Memphis,Texas A&M and Georgetown. Anderson, associate hard coach Melvin Watkins and assistant coach T.J. Cleveland made an in home visit with Hayes and his parents Saturday afternoon.

“It went real well,” said Hayes, who reports receiving his offer from the Hogs on Saturday. “I liked how Coach presented himself. He was real professional. He wasn’t too professional; he still had that friendly side to him. It looks like if I was to go there, he and I would probably click.I like the way he handles himself.”

Hayes, who averaged about 15 points, 12 rebounds and 5 block shots during his senior season, said his parents enjoyed seeing Watkins and Cleveland with Anderson.

“They were pretty impressed that whole coaching staff actually came down,” Hayes said. “Usually it’s just the head coach by himself or the head coach and assistant coach. He brought his whole staff with him and showed he was really interested. They really liked that.”

Arkansas let Hayes know the Hogs are void of someone with his size and he could see a lot of playing time next season if he works hard.

“They said they don’t have anybody like me,” Hayes said. “That’s what they kept saying. They said there’s a lot of guys on the team that are similar but nobody like me on the team.”

Hayes also got to see Anderson’s 1994 national championship ring when he was assistant coach for the Razorbacks.

“He actually showed me his ring,” Hayes said. “That was something to see. I’ve never seen one in person before.”

Hayes, who has set up an official visit to Connecticut for May 4, said he’s considering taking one to Fayetteville.

TENPENNY TURNS UP

North Little Rock running back Altee Tenpenny, who orally committed to Alabama in January while on a trip to Tuscaloosa, visited Arkansas on Friday when the Hogs scrimmaged.

“It was business as usual even though they didn’t have a head coach,” said Tenpenny, who visited Arkansas on March 3. “If you didn’t know about the situation,you couldn’t tell because the coaches were coaching as hard as they could and the players were working real hard. It looked like a normal day.”

Tenpenny, 5-11, 190, 4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has been invited to all three of the major high school All-American games, the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in Phoenix, the U.S. Army All American Bowl in San Antonio and the UnderArmour All American game in St. Petersburg, Fla.

He was able to spend time with his lead recruiter, running backs coach and recruiting coordinator Tim Horton.

“I have the utmost respect for Coach Horton,” Tenpenny said. “He tells me how it is and doesn’t sugarcoat anything He’s a great coach and a great person.”

Tenpenny, who plans to visit Alabama and Oklahoma State, said he’s firm in his pledge to the Crimson Tide.

“I’m a firm believer in standing behind your word,” Tenpenny said. “As of now, I’ve given Alabama my word I would go there. That’s what I’m sticking to right now.”

MORGAN STILL INTERESTED

Texas tight end Christian Morgan has been high on the Hogs since visiting Arkansas on Feb. 11 and March 27. Despite the recent firing of Bobby Perino as the head coach of the Razorbacks, he’s still very much interested.

Morgan, 6-6, 245, 4.75, of Plano Prestonwood Christian Academy, reports 14 scholarship offers, including offers from Arkansas, Baylor, Missouri, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Miami. He admires how Athletic Director Jeff Long has handled things and knows he’ll make the right decision in hiring a new head coach.

“After seeing how Jeff Long handled everything,” said Morgan, who’s being recruited by offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Paul Petrino, “I really think he knows what he’s doing and has the interest of everybody at heart.”

Morgan, who has cited his relationship with Paul Petrino as one of the reasons for his interest in the Hogs,would like to see Long promote one of the current assistant coaches, possibly Petrino.

“I think it would be awesome,” said Morgan of Petrino being promoted.“The way he handled the press the other day and all of the pressure, I think he’s really handled that in a first class way.”

E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports, Pages 17 on 04/17/2012