THE RECRUITING GUY

Porter Gustin update

Arkansas defensive coordinator Robb Smith, linebacker-defensive end Porter Gustin and Coach Bret Bielema pose for a picture in a coach's office.

Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema and defensive coordinator Robb Smith traveled to Utah to visit with highly regarded linebacker-defensive end Porter Gustin and his parents on Thursday.

Gustin, 6-4, 238 pounds, 4.63 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Salem Hills High School has scholarship offers from approximately 35 schools, including Arkansas, Notre Dame, Southern Cal, Ohio State, Arizona State, UCLA, Oregon and Florida State. ESPN rates him the No. 8 athlete and the No. 129 overall prospect in the nation.

His father, John said Arkansas is one of five schools in contention for his son's last two official visits. Ohio State, LSU, Oregon and maybe Florida State are the others.

Gustin is scheduled to officially visit Southern Cal this weekend but he's been sick the last few days and might not make the trip. The visit will be reschduled if he's unable to go. He'll officially visit Arizona State next weekend. He visited Notre Dame earlier in the season.

Bielema and Smith watched Gustin's basketball practice for about an hour and then went into a coach's office for a 45 minute meeting with he and his parents.

John said they talked about the last few games of the season, including the LSU and Ole Miss contests along with the defensive scheme and how Porter would be used.

Bielema talked of the importance of being a well rounded person on and off the field. John said he and his wife would be comfortable if Porter decided to be a Razorback.

John praised Bielema for doing a good job of recruiting Porter and making an impact on his son after being one of the late offers.

A devot Mormon, Porter will make the decision whether to go on a mission depending on his playing time as a freshman. If he's making an impact and possibly works his way into a starting position he may focus on football.

Gustin is averaging 26 points and 12 rebounds in the first three basketball games this season. He'll play baseball and throw the javelin in the spring.

John played quarterback at Wyoming while Arkansas offensive coordinator Jim Chaney was on the Cowboys’ staff.

Much more in Sunday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.