LITTLE ROCK — A running back from Missouri who likes Arkansas’ offense and became aware of the Razorbacks when Ronnie Wingo Jr. signed in the 2009 recruiting class, plans a visit to Fayetteville on Saturday.
Chase Abbington, 6-4, 210 pounds, 4.47 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of St. Peters Fort Zumwalt South High School has the size, speed and power Coach Bobby Petrino likes in a back. Wingo signed with the Hogs out of St. Louis University High School, a St. Louis area school like Fort Zumwalt South.
“I have family there, so they’re one of the top schools I’m looking at and would like to go to,” Abbington said.
Abbington, who had 213 carries for 1,459 yards and 27 touchdowns as a junior, reports scholarship offers from Arkansas and UCLA and interest from Illinois and Michigan State. He said he’s been in communication with offensive coordinator Paul Petrino.
Abbington said he will be accompanied by his mother, uncle and aunt on the trip and that a good visit could yield a commitment from him.
“It depends on how it works out for me and my family,” Abbington said. “It’s not too far. My mom wants me to stay close. Arkansas is one of the schools. My family is always watching them. I would probably go [to Arkansas] most likely.”
ARIZONA QB OFFERED
Arizona junior quarterback Tyler Bruggman, 6-2, 190, 4.8, of Phoenix Brophy Prep was notified he had a scholarship offer from Arkansas while speaking on the phone with offensive line coach Chris Klenakis and offensive coordinator Paul Petrino.
“I’ve been following the Arkansas offense during the season,” said Bruggman, who completed 156 of 259 passes for 2,497 yards, 37 touchdowns while throwing 2 interceptions as a junior. “Last season as well. To get an offer from them, I’m very excited.”
Bruggman, who also has offers from Arizona State, Arizona, Purdue and Colorado State, likes the explosiveness of the Hogs’ offense.
“I know they like to spread the ball around and get the ball to their athletes in space,” Bruggman said. “That’s what I like to do. I’m looking forward to learning more about their program and the school in the upcoming months.”
Bruggman said he hoped to attend an Arkansas camp last summer but wasn’t able to do so. He plans to make a trip to Fayetteville during his spring break, which is the week after Easter in April.
“Coach Klenakis and Coach Paul Petrino said they’ll be in spring ball and that would be a good time to visit,” Bruggman said. “Looks like I’ll be able to put that together and I’m excited to experience everything at Arkansas.”
‘A COOL PLACE’
Texas junior tight end/defensive end Christian Morgan will arrive in Fayetteville on Friday for a two-day unofficial visit.
Morgan, 6-6, 245, 4.75, of Plano Prestonwood Christian Academy, was recently offered a scholarship by Arkansas to go along with offers from Baylor and Tulsa. He’s also drawing interest from Texas A&M, LSU, Oregon, Texas, Oklahoma and others.
“I see Arkansas as kind of a cool place and kind of a cool option,” said Morgan, who attended Arkansas’ game against Troy on Sept. 17. “It’s relatively close to home. My family can drive over there and see me play. The one time I visited I just loved it. The thing that stood out to me was the people.”
Morgan said he’s called and talked to offensive coordinator Paul Petrino while also communicating with him on Facebook.
“He’s real cool guy,” Morgan said. “He seemed real passionate. He’s real easy to talk to. Some of the guys are real awkward. He seems like he can connect with the younger guys like myself. At the end, he was like, ‘We’re excited. We want you to be excited to be a Razorback.’ Nothing but positive things to say so he seemed really cool.”
MEMPHIS WALK-ON
Tennessee offensive lineman Ben Benton has decided to walk-on at Arkansas in hopes of earning a scholarship, turning down scholarship offers from Memphis and Central Arkansas.
Benton, 6-5 1/2, 280, 5.1, of Memphis University High School, cited having family in Arkansas and living in thestate as primary reasons for his decision to be a Hog.
“I’ve been a Razorback fan my whole life and have an opportunity to earn a scholarship the next couple of years. I really couldn’t pass that up,” said Benton, who visited Fayetteville on Jan. 27-28. “SEC football, anybody that passes that up needs to think that over.”
Benton, whose father is from Helena, has grandparents living in Heber Springs.
“I think it’s the right decision for me in the end,” Benton said. “I’m going to be coached by the best coaches in America, and it’s really, really going to help me and I think the whole experience is what I’m looking for.”
E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports, Pages 19 on 02/07/2012