Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema believes hosting small groups of prospects allows for more time with each recruit. Offensive lineman Sam Tecklenburg, who visited the Hogs on Saturday along with about 13 other recruits, agrees.
“I like how they made an effort to talk to player individually,” Tecklenburg said. “They didn’t have that many people there.”
Tecklenburg, 6-4, 260 pounds of Plano, Texas, has scholarship offers from SMU, Tulsa, Texas Tech, Connecticut, Arkansas State, Nevada and Wake Forest while Arkansas is showing strong interest. Video highlights CLICK HERE
Offensive line coach Sam Pittman plans to visit his school during the spring evaluation period.
“They told me they would come check out a spring practice,” Tecklenburg said. “Just to get a better evaluation of me and we’ll go from there.”
Tecklenburg has recorded a 345 pound bench press and a 4.39 pro-shuttle. He felt at home during his visit.
"I liked how some of the players came up and asked where we were from and introduce themselves,” Tecklenburg said. “That was pretty cool. All of the players and coaches were friendly.”
One particular Hog, receiver Anthony Antwine, who attended Plano High School, is a proud Razorback.
“He really speaks really highly of them,” Tecklenburg said. “He was really excited when he heard that I was up there this weekend. He always promotes them very well.”
He sees Arkansas being more interested than what he originally thought.
“They seemed a little bit more interested by the time I left than I expected before I got up there,” Tecklenburg.
Arkansas’ focus on the student of student-athlete impressed Tecklenburg.
“They probably spent an hour talking about the academic side,” Tecklenburg said. “They really stressed it.”
Tecklenburg, who has visited Baylor and Tulsa, said Arkansas’ facilities are top notch.
“The facilities and equipment seems to be as nice as it gets compared to everyone else,” Tecklenburg said.
He and his father met with Bielema.
“He said I won’t play tackle unless I grow a couple more inches, which I think I will,” Tecklienburg said. “Just in case, I don’t I think he’s thinking somewhere in the interior.”
Tecklenburg said his growth plates are still open.
“I’m hoping to get another inch or two,” he said.