Richard Davenport is a recruiting columnist for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Saturday recruiting updates
Published: Saturday, March 9, 2013
Athlete Davion Hall, a Baylor commitment, was surprised with his visit to Arkansas.
Arkansas is hosting about 15 or so football recruits today.
Below are some confirmed at Bud Walton watching the Hog basketball game.
2015 OL Zach Rogers- Carrollton, Texas Hebron
OL Jhamahl Bell- Warren
QB Isaac Jackson- Ft. Smith Southside
2015 OL Colton Jackson, 6-6, 270 -Conway
2015 K Matthew Cummins- Conway
WR VonEric Gonder-Warren
WR Blake Mack-Lonoke
OL Will Jones-Parkers Chapel
TE Josiah Wymer-Springdale
QB Josh Qualls-Rogers Heritage
Ath. Davion Hall - Texarkana, Texas is about to head back home. Not in Bud Walton. He arrived Thursday night and visited Friday and today.
4:29 update
OL Zach Rogers, 6-3, 295 said Coach Bret Bielema said his offer that he received from the previous staff was still there. He said he was more impressed with Bielema that he thought he would be and liked how he was so easy to talk to.
Offensive line coach Sam Pittman praised his play on film and liked his effort. Rogers said he could see himself playing for Pittman. He also had good things to say about running backs coach Joel Thomas, his lead recruiter. He said his interest in the Hogs is very, very high after meeting the coaches.
His parents also made the trip and were equally impressed with the coaches. He said he might get back for the spring game. He'll visit UCLA for a couple of days this week.
OL Johnny Gibson, 6-4, 320, 5.0 of Dumas said the highlight of his visit was meeting Bielema. He said he knows Bielema is good with linemen and he felt comfortable with the head hog. He said Pittman kept him laughing the whole day.
Gibson said the coaches were all smiles when they heard about his 3.8 GPA. He said Arkansas wants him to attend the June camp.
4:59 update
QB Isaac Jackson said Arkansas gave the most detailed and best description of what college like would be like if he attended college there. He previously visited LSU and Miss St. Meeting Bielema was a highlight of the trip and learning about the pro-style offense. He said Bielema told him he usually likes to sign one quarterback a class but will probably sign two in the 2014.
Jackson said Arkansas asked him to attend their June camp.
It's my understanding no offers were extended today.
5:37 update
LB-FB Jarvis Cooper of West Memphis said Arkansas wants him to come to the June camp and work him at FB, LB and DE. He thinks he would be best at DE. Definitely plans to attend the camp. An offer would be huge to him. Very eager for an offer.
OL Jhamahl Bell said really enjoyed meeting Pittman and looking at film. He said Pittman kept him laughing. He said strength and conditioning Ben Herbert taught him quite a bit on nutrition and what to eat and how often to eat. He experienced his first Hog call at the basketball game. He loved that and got the hang of it after couple times. Arkansas wants him to attend the June camp.
WR VonEric Gonder said he enjoyed spending time with receivers coach Michael Smith. He said he's real laid-back and is the type he would want to play for. The Hogs also want to see him at camp. The basketball game was the first one for him to attend and was the highlight of the visit. Arkansas State and Oklahoma State are others showing interest. Former Warren WR Jarius Wright was at the basketball. Gonder said seeing Wright doing well at Arkansas and in the NFL inspires him.
TE Josiah Wymer said meeting Bielema and seeing the pro-style offense were the best parts of the visit. He said he prefers to play TE but would move to the O-line if asked. He said tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. is very straight up and honest. Lunney asked him to come to s a spring practice. He said he'll attend the June camp.
5:57 update
Ath. Davion Hall said the Hog fans stood out while on his visit Friday and Saturday. He said Arkansas told him he could play at receiver his first year and would give him a shot at playing receiver and safety the following year if he can learn the play book. He said his cousin, Arkansas jumper Jarrion Lawson told him great things about Arkansas but his visit surpassed his expectations. He said he's committed to Baylor but the visit moved the Hogs up on his list and anything can happen in the future.
Hall called Bielema very, very cool.
6:14 update
TE Jack Kraus called his visit great. The academic support and the coaches relationships with one another were highlights. He said the coaches seem to like one another and get along well. He said the new football complex will be second to none.
He said the coaches didn't pressure him but explained to him how he could help recruit the 2014 class. He maintains he's in no hurry in making a decision and wants to go through the process. No plan visits at this time.
