Junior tight end Hale Hentges made his third visit to Arkansas last weekend for the Southern Miss game and he said the trip aided the Hogs in their hopes of luring him to Fayetteville.
“I would definitely say it helped to be able to see how they use tight ends on almost every play in person is really gratifying and really helps Arkansas,” said Hentges, who had 43 receptions for 427 yards and 7 touchdowns as a sophomore. “I’ve always wanted to go some place where I’m going to get used and the fact they do it down there really instills confidence in me.”
Hentges, 6-4, 225, 4.83 seconds in the 40 yard dash, of Jefferson City (Mo.) Helias has scholarship offers from Arkansas, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa, Iowa State, Nebraska, Indiana and Tennessee. Before Saturday’s trip, he had visited the Hogs in the spring and in the spring of 2012. Video highlights click here
He also visited Coach Bret Bielema twice while at Wisconsin. Bielema told Hentges his ability to block and catch the ball fits in well in the Arkansas offense.
“He has tight ends that only good at blocking and some that can only catch but he thinks I’m one of them that can do both and that’s why he’s really excited about me,” said Hentges, who’s rated te No. 1 junior prospect in Missouri by national recruiting analyst Tom Lemming. “He talked about my value and how you’re going to see Hunter Henry do some of that stuff this year and in the future.”
Also in attendance at the Southern Miss game were Arkansas’s two quarterback commitments, Rafe Peavey, a 2014 pledge and Ty Storey, a 2015 commitment. He said Storey was working on him hard to join the program.
“He was talking about they already have some good linemen and they need to start getting some receivers and I could be that piece that they need. “ Hentges said.
Hentges said he’ll likely see Peavey later this season.
“We’re going to play each other most likely in the semi-finals this year,” he said.
He may return for a another game.
“Maybe, but would have to be in November because we play a lot of Saturday games,” Hentges said.