As reported in Sunday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the hiring of Sam Pittman as the Hogs' offensive line coach by Coach Bret Bielema has two teammates looking to make official visits to Arkansas. >
Linebacker Colton Goeas, 6-2, 248, 4.76 seconds in the 40 yard dash and Reeve Koehler, 6-3, 315, 5.2 seconds in the 40 yard, of Honolulu, Hawaii, St. Louis high school were being recruited by Pittman while he was the offensive line coach at Tennessee.
"Reeve and I have a really close relationship with each other and with coach Pitt too," Goeas said. "He recruited both of us. He's a real good coach, a real good guy."
Koehler was offered a scholarship to Arkansas last week when he talked to Pittman. He has officially visited Tennessee, Kansas and Hawaii. He plans to make an official visit to Arkansas while Oregon and California are competing for Koehler's last official visit.
Like Goeas, Koehler had high praise for Pittman and called him one of his favorite coaches in college football. He wants a college with a friendly atmosphere.
"At Tennessee and Kansas, the people around there were nice like home," Koehler said. "That to me is a big factor because I'll be living around them and the people that are around the program and in the school. And how the school treats their athletes."
Both are rated 4-star prospects by national recruiting analyst Tom Lemming of CBS Sports Network. >
Goeas committed to the Volunteers in July but reopened his recruiting over the weekend because of the uncertainty after the firing of Derek Dooley as coach along with Pittman going to Arkansas. When contacted by Pittman and asked to make an official visit, Goeas is ready with his answer.
"Most definitely, right away." he said.
His father, Leo Goeas played nine years in the NFL for the St. Louis and Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens and San Diego Chargers. He said it's huge advantage to having a father with such great football knowledge.
"He knows the path to get to the NFL," said Goeas, who also plans to officially visit Tennessee, Kansas and with hopes of visiting UCLA. "He does all he can to help me out in sports and show me the right steps to take."
Koehler is looking to major in journalism once in college and eventually go back to Hawaii.
"Write for the newspaper or stay close to sports." he said.
Playing in the SEC is a big draw for Koehler.
"I want to play against people who challenge me and who make me a better man." Koehler said. >
Goeas, who has a 3.7 grade point average, is considering going to Law school or going into medicine.
"I want in the future, way down in the future to become a surgeon, a heart surgeon," said Goeas, who has a 485 bench press. "That's a long term goal. "