THE RECRUITING GUY

Coaches survey state talent first

Arkansas assistant coaches Sam Pittman (left) and Chris Ash work with the Razorbacks during practice Saturday morning in Fayetteville.

Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema made this statement immediately after his Dec. 5 introductory news conference: “If anybody in this state can play on the championship level, we need them here at the University of Arkansas.”

Bielema is sticking to his words.

On Monday, the first day of the spring evaluation period, nine assistant coaches visited 34 high schools in the state and one out-of-state school in Operation New Era to check on 2014 prospects and underclassmen.

Because NCAA rules only allow seven coaches on the road at one time, Razorbacks defensive coordinator Chris Ash and corner-backs coach Taver Johnson visited local schools from 6:30 to 8:30 in the morning before returning to the Broyles Center, so the other coaches could spread out throughout the state.

“There’s no more important state to us than the state of Arkansas,” said Chris Hauser, Arkansas’ director of recruiting. “So, we’re going to make sure we show that in full force with our staff on the first day of spring recruiting.”

Because of NCAA rules, Hauser can’t talk about specific recruits, but it’s known Arkansas visited three schools that have players who have already committed to the Razorbacks: Bentonville (Jack Kraus); El Dorado (defensive lineman Bjihon Jackson) and North Little Rock (running back Juan Day). Arkansas also visited Springdale Har-Ber, home to highly regarded defensive lineman Josh Frazier, who is still undecided.

Har-Ber Coach Chris Wood said Arkansas coaches showed they are focused on homegrown talent who can help the Razorbacks win.

“I think that’s a big statement that you start here and then you go out nationwide,” Wood said.

“Those coaches are high-character guys. It’s good to see them around because they’ll sit down and talk ball with you and just visit. It said a lot, especially because they’re still in spring ball.”

Hauser said coaches were also looking at off-the-field qualities of each prospect.

“Check the kid’s character, class attendance, grades,” Hauser said. “See if the kid is a team player. All the questions you’re correct on before you offer a kid a scholarship. “

Other prospects who saw the Hogs visit their school were Greenwood quarterback Jabe Burgess, tight end Aaron Hamaker of Little Rock Catholic, linebacker-fullback Jarvis Cooper of West Memphis, quarterback Isaac Jackson of Fort Smith Southside, defensive lineman Chuks Ota and offensive lineman Johnny Gibson of Dumas.

The Hogs value the opinion of the high school coaches in the state.

“If they call us and recommend somebody we’re going to make sure we thoroughly evaluate them,” Hauser said. “And make sure the coaches know where we stand with the prospect.”

The Hogs also stopped by the schools of freshman defensive lineman Austin Capps of Star City and several sophomore prospects - offensive and defensive lineman Devante Lovett of Strong, quarterback Ty Storey of Charleston, tight end and defensive lineman Jamario Bell of Junction City and Pine Bluff tight end Will Gragg.

“I think they have a good understanding that the lifeblood of the program is recruiting,” Pine Bluff Coach Bobby Bolding said. “They understand it’s about Jimmies and Joes and not X’s and O’s.They’re out trying round up the best they can starting instate so that’s impressive.”

The lone out-of-state prospect to see an Arkansas coach visit his school was Texarkana, Texas, Liberty-Eylau athlete Davion Hall , who has numerous scholarship offers, including the Razorbacks.

Arkansas won’t go on the road again evaluating prospects until next Wednesday. The Evaluation period ends May 31.

FLORIDIAN TAKES LOOK

Athlete D’Cota Dixon didn’t have much interest in Arkansas until talking to graduate assistant Terrance Butler recently.

“He sent me a lot of links of video of Arkansas football, the tradition, how the campus is and academics,” Dixon said. “Basically it was like a little visit but through video. I might actually go up there this summer and get a visit in for camp or something like that. It sounds real nice.”

Dixon, 5-10, 190, 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., has approximately 13 scholarship offers, including Arkansas, West Virginia, Louisville and Illinois. His conversation with Butler lasted about an hour.

“He was just being real and telling me straight up how things will go,” Dixon said. “He wasn’t sugarcoating anything. I really enjoyed the conversation.”

Dixon, who could play running back, receiver or defensive back in college, has a 3.8 grade point average.

“He’s showing love and it sounds like they really want me and really need me,” Dixon said. “I feel like I can make an impact if I go there. He said they’ll get me ready not just for football but for life.”

E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports, Pages 21 on 04/16/2013