Being successful in recruiting an athlete usually means hours and hours of work to ensure the prospect knows he wanted.
Defensive lineman Armon Watts, who will arrive in Fayetteville about 11 this morning to visit Arkansas, said defensive coordinator Chris Ash, defensive line coach Charlie Partridge and graduate assistant Eric Mateos have been relentless in pursuing him.
“I’ve been evaluating how schools keep in touch recruiting wise,” Watts said. “I feel like they’ve done a great job of that as far as staying in contact.”
Watts, 6-5, 270, 5.1 seconds in the 40 yard dash, of St. Louis Christian Brothers College High has 14 scholarship offers from schools like Arkansas, Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana and Kentucky.
When he earned his offer from the Hogs during the July 19 Elite Prospect Camp, he was able to tour the football facilities but is looking to see more on this trip. The visit is also for his mother, Glenda Williams.
“It’s really to have my mom finally get to meet the coaches and sit down and talk to them and see how she feels.” Watts said.
His lists in no particular order, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Syracuse and Tennessee as his top schools. His teammate and offensive lineman Brian Wallace Jr. will arrive Friday afternoon for his Saturday visit. Watts said Wallace inquired about the Hogs.
“He asked me how I liked it,” Watts said. “I told him I liked it a lot he expressed to me how Arkansas was in his top five.”
Because his visit comes three weeks after his first trip to Fayetteville, one could speculate Watts might be tempted to pledge to the Hogs during the visit.
“I could see a decision soon,” he said. “I’m not the type to wait too late. I could see myself making a decision the next couple of months.”
Watts and cornerback Raymond Wingo, another major target of the Hogs, are close friends and the two have talked about the Razorbacks.
“Of course, Arkansas is high on his list,” Watts said.
Could he and Wingo ended up being teammates in Fayetteville?
“It could be a good possibility, who knows because we’re pretty close friends,” Watts said. “ I know we've talked about playing in the SEC together. Being dominant in the SEC.”
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