Tight end Blake Whiteley of Arizona Western Community College left Fayetteville early this morning to go Texas for a visit. He really likes how Arkansas uses the tight end. He sees the tight end being very involved in offense. He wants to plan in an offense that allows him to catch passes and put his hand on the ground.
Whiteley, 6-5, 240, 4.7 wasn't getting the looks he wanted in Canada and believed Arizona Western could help him get exposure. He had limited catches this season in an offense that didn't utilized his position. He said he caught 70 passes during his senior year in high school.
Very impressed with Coach Bret Bielema and the amount of tight ends he's sent to the NFL. He said he has a strong relationship with tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. Would like to make a decision sooner rather than later. Has four years to play three. He's also visited Virginia and Purdue.
Offensive lineman Sebastian Tretola, 6-4 ½ , 315 pounds, 4.9 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Iowa Western Community College called Arkansas' facilities crazy and nuts. He received a tour of the facilities from center Travis Swanson. He liked Fayetteville and the U of A and said the two have that old college feel. Very big fan of that.
He again called offensive line coach Sam Pittman hilarious. He said Pittman had him rolling the moment he touched down. The players told Tretola that Pittman doesn't change once a player signs. He noted that's not always the case in recruiting.
Tretola is a big fan of Bielema and what he's done with O-linemen. Really admired how Wisconsin played when he was in Madison. Will decide from Arkansas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, South Florida and TCU. Will go back home and talk things over with his family and plans to announce this coming week.
Receiver Frank Iheanacho gave credit to running backs coach Joel Thomas for convincing him to take an official visit to Arkansas. As reported in Friday's updates, he had an excellent visit and said the trip helped the Hogs in possibility landing him.
3:49 update
Receiver Cody Hollister said he talked to Bielema and will go home and talk things over with his brother Jacob, who's a tight end at Arizona Western and his family before making a decision. His brother also has offers from Wyoming and Troy. They're very close.
That said I do believe he'll eventually be a Hog but no guarantees until it comes from him.
There were strong indications he would pull the trigger last night.
More in Sunday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
10:00 update
It's very early after the reports of defensive line coach Charlie Partridge being the next head man at FAU, but Coppell, Texas defensive end Solomon Thomas said in a text message "I need to know who my position coach is and his coaching style is before I go to a school."
Defensive line commitment Armon Watts is aware of Partridge leaving. He obviously wants to know who will replace him.
10:50 update
Tweeted this a few minutes ago, @ArRecruitingGuy Very reliable source- Arkansas defensive line coach Charlie Partridge has not accepted the FAU offer that's on the table at this point.
Doesn't mean the two parties won't come to an agreement but at this point it's not a done deal.