Arkansas associate head coach Melvin Watkins played college basketball at North Carolina-Charlotte, and the time he spent there is helping in the recruitment of Jalen Hudson.
Hudson, 6-5, 190 pounds, is a combination guard from Akron (Ohio) St. Vincent-St. Mary who stock has risen significantly during the summer. Hudson has scholarship offers from approximately 25 schools, including Arkansas. His father, Jerry, attended college with Watkins.
“Coach Watkins is actually a fraternity brother of my dad,” Hudson said. “I think he would have my best interest at heart, especially knowing my dad so well.”
Hudson, who averaged 16 points and about 6 rebounds and 5 assists a game this past season, plans to take an official visit to Arkansas but will entertain the Razorbacks coaches first with an in-home visit next month.
“They want to come down and sit down in our house,” Hudson said. “Sometime in September they should be coming into Ohio to sit down and with me and my dad and have a conversation about my recruiting.”
Player development is important to Hudson, and he believes Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson and his staff can help him.
“A lot of their players have gone on to the league and they are really good at developing their players,” Hudson said. “Not only are they good at developing players, they’re good at developing the team. You can look at their past and they’ve done a lot of winning.I like that part.”
Hudson, who played for Team Loaded in North Carolina during the summer, said he is looking for a style of play that will allow him to show his ability and versatility. Hudson said Arkansas is one of the schools affording him that chance.
“I want to go to a place that plays fairly fast, gets up and down the floor quick,” said Hudson, who has a 3.5 grade point average. “I want to play at a place where I not only can play [point guard] but I can play [shooting guard] as well because I consider myself being a combo guard.”
UA IN TIGHT END’S TOP 3
Arkansas is one of three schools at the top of tight end Ravian Pierce’s list, along with Florida and Alabama.
“Right now they’re in the top three,” said Pierce, who is from Plantation, Florida. “Nobody is at one. Those are my three favorites.”
Pierce, 6-4, 230 pounds, 4.53 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has scholarship offers from approximately 27 schools, including Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Ohio State and Ole Miss.
The Razorbacks have several things working in their favor, including how they use the tight end and defensive line coach Charlie Partridge, the team’s lead recruiter on Pierce who is a graduate of Plantation High School.
“Coach Partridge use to go to my high school,” said Pierce, who plans to set up an official visit to Arkansas. “On top of that, I like the way they use their tight end.”
Other advantages for the Razorbacks include Pierce being close friends with freshman running back Alex Collins and that his uncle and aunt, Bennie and Paris Broyles, live in Little Rock. He said his aunt and uncle speak highly of Arkansas.
“They say it’s a nice school and I should check it out,” Pierce said.
Pierce, who plans to run the 200 meters and the 400-meter relay next spring, said Partridge likes how physical he is and his quickness. He said Patridge also likes how he blocks for teammates and the fact that he isn’t selfish.
“He said I was one of the top recruits in general,” Pierce said.
A school’s depth chart and academic program also will play roles in his decision. Pierce said he would like to go into architecture.
“I want a good vibe and connection with the coaches and the team,” he said. “I want to check out every school possible in order to see where I want to go.”
E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports, Pages 25 on 08/11/2013