Utah linebacker Porter Gustin was featured in Sunday’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette about his interest in Arkansas and his conversations with Coach Bret Bielema.
Here’s more of what Gustin said about the Hogs and a possible visit to Fayetteville.
“He just asks how things are going,” Gustin said. “How's recruiting going? The times when he said he would like to get me out there and how things are going with that and see if I can make there at some point. I like him a lot, he seems like a great coach.It would be nice to meet him in person.”
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.
He’s officially visited Notre Dame and is considering the Hogs for an official visit.
“I’ve only taken one official and I really haven't planned any others,” Gustin said, “Time will tell I guess.”
Bielema visited his school on Monday and spent several hours visiting with school officials.
Gustin, whose father John played quarterback at Wyoming while Arkansas offensive coordinator Jim Chaney was on the Cowboys’ staff, is fond of the SEC and said conference affiliation is a plus for the Razorbacks.
“Oh yeah, definitely the SEC most people say it's the best football,” Gustin said. “Great environments, so actually I've never been to an SEC game, but I've heard it's great.”
Gustin has amassed impressive statistics on offense and defense while leading the Skyhawks to a 10-1 record.
He came into Friday's game having completed 160 of 272 passes for 2,310 yards and 22 touchdowns at quarterback while rushing 73 times for 767 yards and 7 touchdowns.
At linebacker, Gustin has recorded 124 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, 9 quarterback hurries, 2 interceptions, 2 pass breakups and 1 recovered fumble.
Gustin was one of about the top 162 prospects in the nation that competed at The Opening, the elite summer event host at Nike Headquarters in Oregon during the summer. He was easily one of the most impressive physical specimens at the competition.
A workout junkie, Gustin works out during the season.
“It’s tough during the season, but I have a few guys that everyday after practice that go work out a few hours with me,” Gustin said. “So I try and workout every single day except for Fridays and usually I’m too sore on Saturdays but other than that it’s a couple hours everyday in the weight room just to keep up with things.”
He like many other prospects liked seeing Arkansas offensive lineman Sebastian Tretola complete the touchdown pass against Alabama-Birmingham.
“That was quite the pass though, I watched it over and over again,” Gustin said. “That was really cool.”
He appreciates that Bielema would allow a player to attempt such a play.
“Definitely, that showed a lot,” Gustin said. “You don’t see a college program doing that a lot or ever at all. I’ve never seen that before so to show that definitely. That was really cool.”
Gustin, who has about a 3.4 grade point average, has talked to Bielema about possibility majoring in business.
“I was thinking about business, but I’m not too sure,” he said. “If I were to chose right now, I would go into business.”
He was recently nominated for the Dick Butkus Award that honors athletic achievement and service to the community while honoring the nation’s best high school, college and professional linebackers.
“I’ve watched how he played, it’s way back in the day, but still that guys is crazy,” Gustin said. “Just a great player.”