Cornerback D.J. Dean was enjoying an in-home visit from Arkansas defensive coordinator Chris Ash Monday evening but even more so when it was revealed the Hogs were offering him a scholarship.
"I really didn't think he was going to offer me," Dean said. "I thought he was coming to eye ball me. He talked about the program and he said 'I want to offer you' and the biggest smile came on my face. I couldn't say nothing. I was just smiling."
Dean, 5-11 185, 4.55 seconds in the 40 yard dash, of Newton, Texas reports more than 10 scholarship offers from schools like Illinois, Utah, Tulane and Washington State. The former Utes commitment is excited about the chance to be a Hog.
"I'm ready to play some big-time football." Dean said.
He lead the Class 2A Eagles to a 13-1 record this past season while playing quarterback and on defense. He completed 49 of 97 passes for 1,062 yards and 11 touchdowns and rushed 88 times for 1,014 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Dean, who has family in Little Rock and Hope, said he fit the check list Ash mentioned.
"He said he's looking for players that love to compete," said Dean, who had 34 tackles and 4 interceptions. "That's me. Players that are going to work hard. That's me again. I'm just so excited. I can't put it all together right now."
Dean is scheduled to officially visit Fayetteville this weekend and he may pledge to the Razorbacks on his visit.
"It's high possibility that I might join the program," Dean said. "Because the SEC is the biggest conference and all the championships come out of the SEC the last seven years. The players you play against are basically NFL receivers. That's top competition and I'm a great competitor."
Senior highlights click here