Hog coaches make most of limited time with Tenpenny

Track practice and an award ceremony limited the time Arkansas offensive coordinator Jim Chaney and running backs coach Joel Thomas were able to spend with North Little Rock running back Altee Tenpenny on Wednesday.

Chaney and Thomas arrived at the school about 1:15 in the afternoon and had about 30 minutes with Tenpenny before track practice. Because he attended the Landers award ceremony at KATV Channel Seven, Tenpenny had to rush home and get ready.

"That was about the only time I really was able to talk to them," said Tenpenny, who's making his official visit to Arkansas this weekend. "Because when they came to my house, I was at track practice."

Tenpenny, 5-11, 218, 4.32 seconds in the 40 yard dash, was named to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All Arkansas team after rushing 203 times for 1,385 yards and 20 touchdowns this past season.

The short time with Thomas made Tenpenny feel good about his potential coach.

"I could see myself being coached by him," Tenpenny said. "Because he's a cool coach, the type of character he has and the way he approaches things and how he keeps it real. He's the type of coach I would like coaching me."

Chaney let him know he's looking forward to having him on-campus.

"He can't wait until I come to Fayetteville this weekend," Tenpenny said. "So he can have more time to speak to me. I was mainly talking to coach Thomas."

Thomas let Tenpenny know he likes his running backs to be a close knit group.

"He said he expect him and his players to get along like a family." Tenpenny said.

Tenpenny's parents entertained Chaney and Thomas for about an hour at their home.

"They said they seemed cool," Tenpenny said. "They can't wait to get down there this weekend to see what the other coaches are all about."

Over the weekend, Tenpenny and his parents visited Alabama.

"It was great," Tenpenny said. "My parents enjoyed themselves."

A former Razorback recruit hosted him on his visit to Tuscaloosa.

"The player host I had was Denzel Devall showed me a good time," Tenpenny said. "It was cool and real nice being down there."