The Recruiting Guy

Houston lineman likes to rap with Hogs coach

Junior defensive lineman Ed Oliver and senior offensive lineman Toby Weathersby posing at Westfield High School.

HOUSTON -- If Arkansas were to put out "most wanted" posters for prospects, offensive tackle Toby Weathersby would be on one of them.

The interest in mutual because of Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema and offensive line coach Sam Pittman's ability to produce NFL-ready linemen.

"It's O-line U," said Weathersby, who plays for Houston Westfield. "Everybody talks about it so, hey, I'm an offensive lineman that likes to run the ball. Why not go there? Why not look into it?"

Weathersby, 6-5, 290 pounds, 5.0 seconds in the 40-yard dash, committed to Texas in March but reopened his recruiting Dec. 15 and plans to take an official visit to Arkansas on Jan. 16.

He is rated a four-star prospect by national recruiting analyst Tom Lemming of CBS Sports Network.

"Toby has a take-no-prisoners attitude, keeps his shoulders square and can bend his knees," Lemming said. "He sets a strong, wide base, and has the ideal length and long enough arms to become an outstanding tackle at the next level."

Weathersby, who has a 405-pound bench press and a 515-pound squat, said he was impressed that Bielema allowed offensive lineman Sebastian Tretola to throw a pass that went for a touchdown against Alabama-Birmingham.

"I could see myself throwing the ball," Weathersby said. "That opened my mind. I always wanted to play quarterback. Why not?"

Weathersby has a good relationship with Pittman and said he is impressed with Pittman's taste in rap music.

"He's really a down-to-earth dude," Weathersby said. "I feel a good connection there when I talk to him. The very first time he talked to me he asked what kind of music I listened to, and he started naming some names and I couldn't do anything but laugh. I was like, 'Dude, how do you know that?' He said, 'Yeah, I hang around those tunes.'

"He's a real cool dude."

Weathersby said Pittman startled him when he mentioned one of his favorite rappers.

"He named Meek Mill and some more rappers, and when he said Meek Mill I just lit up," Weathersby said. "I was like, 'Yeah, I listen to him.' He was like, 'I listen to Meek Mill too.' I was like. 'OK, OK.'

"That fired me up right there."

Weathersby said he's learned that Pittman has sent 16 offensive linemen to the NFL, and he's eager to be next.

"I'm waiting to make it 17 or 18," Weathersby said. "However he wants to do it."

Weathersby also plans to take official visits to LSU (Jan. 23) and Ole Miss (Jan. 30). An opportunity to play in the SEC is the main reason all of his finalists are from the same conference.

"That's the college NFL right there," he said. "That's how I look at that. The NFL looks at the SEC, and if you can play in the SEC and hang and survive, the NFL it should be cakewalk."

JUNIOR END INTERESTED

Junior defensive lineman Ed Oliver's interest in Arkansas has picked up since teammate Toby Weathersby is looking hard at Arkansas and is planning to take an official visit.

"He hasn't talked to me about it, honestly, but if he's going to take an official visit I definitely have to pay attention now," Oliver said.

Oliver, 6-2, 270 pounds, 4.65 seconds in the 40-yard dash, recorded 84 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 7 sacks and 27 quarterback hurries at defensive end this season. ESPN rates him the No. 6 defensive tackle and the nation's No. 27 overall prospect for the 2016 class.

He estimates having scholarship offers from about 20 schools, including one from Arkansas, but he believes that number will go up.

"If I show interest in a school, I'm pretty sure I can get it," Oliver said.

He is confident Arkansas will beat Texas on Monday night in the Texas Bowl.

"They're about to beat Texas in the Texas Bowl," said Oliver, who has a 360-pound bench press and a 525-pound squat. "The running game is unstoppable. I saw what they did to LSU, and I liked what I saw."

Oliver also had 6 carries for 35 yards and 3 touchdowns. Texas Tech has discussed him playing running back, but others see him more as a defensive player.

"They said if I slim down I could actually play running back," Oliver said. "If I go up in weight, I'll probably go in the middle. If I stay where I'm at I'll probably play defensive end, or if I lose some weight I'll go to linebacker or running back."

He said he plans to reveal the schools he wants to visit in the spring and summer soon.

"I'll make those decisions at the end of the break," he said. "Right now I don't know."

E-mail Richard Davenport at

rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports on 12/28/2014