Offensive lineman Joshua Allen announced his commitment to Arkansas Sept. 24 without visiting the campus. That changed over the weekend when he made an official visit.
"It was everything I expected," said Allen, who pledged to the Hogs sight unseen in large because of his relationship with offensive line coach Sam Pittman. "The people around here, the atmosphere, it's just awesome. I'm just really excited to get up here."
Allen, 6-3, 302 pounds, 5.0 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Jacksonville (Fla.) University Christian, committed to North Carolina in June of 2013 and signed with the Tar Heels in February. He was denied admittance and received a release to explore his options.
He said he plans to enroll at Arkansas in January and is looking to report to Fayetteville Jan. 8.
"I'll have time to go around, look at the campus, do orientation and stuff like that," Allen said.
Allen had scholarship offers from 23 schools, including Arkansas, North Carolina, Florida State, Georgia and Nebraska while in high school. There wasn't anything about the campus he didn't like on his visit.
"It's just something about the buildings, the professors, I really liked it," he said. "I'm very excited to get up here."
Allen, who reports a 435-pound bench press and 685 squat, called his mother, Beverly, and raved to her about Arkansas during the trip.
"She was like, 'You better bring me some pictures back.' " Allen said. "I said, 'Yes ma'am, I got you.' "
Offensive lineman Denver Kirkland hosted Allen on Friday and offensive lineman Dan Skipper hosted him on Saturday.
"They said they really liked it," said Allen, who was one of eight official visitors over the weekend. "Once I go back home, I'm going to be wanting to come back. They said it's fun. They said Coach Pittman is not a mean coach at all, he just wants the best for you and wants to give you his best. I'm pretty excited."
Allen said he spoke to Pittman about plans for him.
"He's debating offensive guard or center," Allen said. "Either or, he thinks I'll do pretty good."
TIGHT ENDS UNITE
Dumas tight end Will Gragg, an Arkansas commitment, said he is planning to sign a financial-aid agreement with Arkansas later this week and is looking forward to participating in the Hogs' on-campus bowl practices.
"Definitely," said Gragg, who wrapped up his official visit to Arkansas on Sunday. "Being able to come up here and get a couple of bowl practices in with the team and just being a part of the team."
Gragg, 6-4, 247, 4.8 seconds in the 40-yard dash, is rated the No. 6 tight end and the nation's No. 214 overall prospect by ESPN. He recorded 42 receptions for 456 yards and 2 touchdowns this season after transferring from Pine Bluff.
"They said I could get some work in and get some developmental work with the walk-ons and the redshirt people," Gragg said. "I think it will be good for me to see things and how they run practice."
The Hogs have told Gragg to come in with plans to play next fall.
"They told me that I would have the opportunity to play," Gragg said. "That was a big thing around here -- tight ends have a lot of opportunities and it is your job to capitalize on them. That's all I wanted is an opportunity to get on the field early, get in the weight room and show them that I am an elite athlete and it's not just hype."
Gragg and Arkansas receiver commitment K.J. Hill of North Little Rock exchanged text messages during the weekend.
"He was actually planning on coming up, but they had a basketball tournament," Gragg said.
Gragg has forged a friendship with Fayetteville tight end C.J. O'Grady, another Arkansas commitment, during the recruiting process. They were able to hang out during the trip.
"We are going to be business partners for the next four years," Gragg said. "He is one of the most classiest people I have ever been around, so it is good to have good vibes coming from business partners."
GATHERING AROUND HILL
Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema, offensive coordinator Jim Chaney, tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. and receivers coach Michael Smith made an in-home visit with North Little Rock receiver K.J. Hill, an Arkansas commitment Sunday night.
The coaches had dinner with the Hill and his family on the last day of the December contact period.
Hill's stepfather, Montez Peterson, said a lot of ground was covered and called it a great all around visit.
JUNIOR-COLLEGE SIGNEE
Defensive end Jeremiah Ledbetter is expected to signed his national letter of intent on Wednesday, the first day midyear junior college transfers can ink with a school.
Ledbetter, 6-4, 265 pounds, 4.72 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Hutchinson, Kan., Community College picked the Hogs over scholarship offers from Florida, Georgia, Miami and others.
He'll participate in spring practice and is expected to take over the spot of departing Trey Flowers.
E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 12/16/2014