Arkansas, which has 18 oral commitments and five signees already on the books, is waiting for a handful of prospects to make their decisions known on National Signing Day on Wednesday.
The Hogs were one of the finalists for Tucson, (Ariz.) Sabino offensive lineman Andrew Mike, who chose Vanderbilt on Monday. He picked the Commodores over the Hogs, Penn State and Florida. Mike, who wants to enroll in a pre-med program, made an unofficial visit to Nashville last June and came away impressed with Vanderbilt’s academics.
Another plus for the Commodores was that new Coach Derek Mason, a Phoenix native, reportedly recruited Mike while he was the defensive coordinator at Stanford.
Coppell, Texas, defensive end Solomon Thomas, a 4-star prospect by national recruiting analyst Tom Lemming of CBS Sports Network, will announce his college decision on ESPNU at 7 am on Wednesday. He’s down to Arkansas, Stanford and UCLA.
Thomas and his parents made an official visit to Fayetteville on Jan. 24
Linebacker Kenny Young of River Ridge (La.) Curtis will also reveal his decision on ESPNU between 9 and 10 amon Wednesday. He officially visited Arkansas, LSU, Texas A&M, UCLA and Oklahoma State.
Receiver Jojo Robinson of Miami Northwestern will announce his decision at his school’s signing ceremony on Wednesday. He made official visits to Arkansas, TCU and South Florida.
The Hogs are also waiting to know cornerback Lamont Simmons’ college plans. The Jacksonville (Fla.) Raines product has officially visited Arkansas, Penn State, Southern Cal, Auburn and Rutgers.
Miami commitment and defensive end Demetrius Jackson of Miami Booker T. Washington said in a text message that he’ll sign with the Hurricanes on Wednesday. He officially visited Arkansas on Jan. 24.
Jackson (Miss.) Callaway defensive lineman Breeland Speaks, a Mississippi commitment, made an official visit to Arkansas over the weekend along with his parents and brother. He’s expected to sign with the Rebels on Wednesday.
CROSS READY TO GO
Before the start of his senior season, his first to play since the ninth grade, Fordyce athlete Gary Cross hadn’t given much thought about playing major college football. That’s all changed now after an impressive season and Arkansas being interested in his talents.
Cross, 6-2, 190 pounds earned his way on the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All Arkansas team with game-changing type plays on offense and defense. He recorded 27 receptions for 604 yards and 9 touchdowns as a receiver.
He officially visited the Hogs over the weekend and hopes to return after a two year stint in junior college where he plans to redshirt the first year, play the second and have three years of eligibility at Arkansas.
He was able to look around the inside of Reynolds Razorback Stadium during the trip.
“I really liked that,” Cross said. “It made me think that I really could be here one day playing for them. I really like Arkansas. I really want to play for them.”
At safety, he had 52 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 6 pass breakups, 3 recovered fumbles and 4 forced fumbles. He suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury late in the season.
“They hope to play me at safety or wide receiver,” said Cross of Arkansas. “I will redshirt my first year at junior college to let my knee heal.”
E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Arkansas recruiting list
2014 COMMITMENTS
POS., NAME HT. WT. 40 SCHOOL 1
DE Anthony Brown 6-3 /2 235 NA Miami Killian
WR Jared Cornelius * 6-1 190 4.48 Shreveport Evangel
RB Juan Day 6-2 210 4.5 North Little Rock
WR Kendrick Edwards 6-6 200 4.6 Miami Norland
LB Dwayne Eugene 6-2 220 4.5 Metairie (La.) Rummel
CB Cornelius Floyd 6-1 175 4.48 Miami Gulliver Prep
LB Khalia Hackett 6-2 208 4.63 S. Paulding (Ga.)
DE Jake Hall 6-5 230 NA Springdale Har-Ber
K Cole Hedlund 5-10 170 NA Argyle, Texas
DL Bijhon Jackson 6-2 325 5.1 El Dorado
TE Jack Kraus 6-5 240 4.9 Bentonville
ATH Josh Liddell 6-1 198 4.43 Pine Bluff Dollarway
CB Chris Murphy * 5-10 180 4.4 Marietta (Ga.) Lassiter
QB Rafe Peavey * 6-2 208 4.5 Bolivar, Mo.
OL Jovan Pruitt 6-6 295 5.1 Dallas Bishop Dunne
OL Frank Ragnow 6-6 291 5.0 Victoria (Minn.) Chanhassen
DB Santos Ramirez 6-2 180 4.55 Shreveport (La.) Evangel
LB Randy Ramsey 6-3 210 4.57 Fort Lauderdale Dillard
CB Henre Toliver 6-1 180 4.56 Metairie (La.) Rummel
OL Brian Wallace 6-6 304 5.2 St. Louis Christ. Brothers
DL Armon Watts 6-5 270 5.1 St. Louis Christ. Brothers
- has signed an Institutional Financial Aid Agreement and enrolled
JUNIOR-COLLEGE SIGNEES
POS., NAME HT. WT. 40 SCHOOL
WR Cody Hollister 6-4 205 4.5 Arizona Western CC 1
OL Sebastian Tretola 6-4 /2 315 4.9 Iowa Western CC
2015 COMMITMENTS
POS., NAME HT. WT. 40 SCHOOL
DE-TE Jamario Bell 6-6 230 4.7 Junction City
DE Hjalte Froholdt 6-5 275 NA Denmark
OL Colton Jackson 6-6 291 NA Conway
OL Zach Rogers 6-3 295 5.09 Carrollton (Texas) Hebron
QB Ty Storey 6-3 217 4.92 Charleston
Sports, Pages 22 on 02/04/2014