Long before Arkansas' 17-0 victory over LSU on Saturday, recruits said they were encouraged by what they saw on the field.
A day after the Hogs' shutout of the Tigers, the response from prospects has been positive, according to E.K. Franks, Arkansas' director of recruiting.
"The phone has rang, a lot of direct messages on Twitter with kids in Louisiana, kids in Texas and kids in Mississippi," Franks said.
The Razorback signed four prospects from Louisiana in the 2014 class, and the Hogs are actively recruiting numerous senior and junior prospects in the Bayou State.
"The win will help us in all aspects in recruiting," Franks said. "It will definitely will help us in Louisiana because we've offered this year and the 2016 class has a good amount of kids."
Since the game, Franks said he's received text messages from high school coaches in Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi.
"It was really pleasant to know that people are taking notice and paying attention," Franks said. "You know if they're talking about it, the athletes are doing the same."
Arkansas hosted four recruits on official visits and about 60 prospects for unofficial visits during Saturday's game. Franks said the crowd of 70,175 impressed the prospects.
Several recruits were on the field with thousands of fans that rushed the field after the game. That made for interesting conversation with the prospects.
"That's all they talked about," Franks said.
Franks said he is expecting a big recruiting weekend for the Ole Miss game that kicks off Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and will be televised by CBS.
"Everybody is trying to get here," he said. "When you have a big win like that, like I said, the phone started ringing already from people wanting to come. I think we're going to have a big turnout for it. I'm excited and looking forward to it ."
Not in Kansas
Arkansas hosted two Kansas junior college prospects on official visits for the LSU game.
Receiver Dominique Reed, 6-3, 185 pounds, 4.36 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Coffeyville Community College, and offensive tackle Tyler Howell, 6-9, 293, of Butler Community College, said they enjoyed their weekend in Fayetteville.
"It went pretty good," said Reed, who attended Camden Fairview before heading to junior college. "It pretty much went like I thought it would go."
Reed said he was impressed by Arkansas' 17-0 victory and wished he could've suited up for the Hogs.
"I really wanted to be out there," Reed said. "It was a pretty good game. They came out to play."
Reed has scholarship offers from Arkansas, Arkansas State, Florida, North Carolina State, South Florida and others. He said the thousands of fans rushing the field after the game was one of the highlights of the trip.
"It was just crazy," Reed said.
A spring graduate, Reed had 56 receptions for 979 yards and 16 touchdowns during the regular season. He said the Arkansas coaches tell him he can help spread the field.
Offensive lineman Cameron Jefferson was Reed's player-host Friday night and receiver Scotty Thurman Jr. hosted him Saturday.
Reed said he is considering other schools for visits.
"I haven't made up my mind yet," Reed said. "I also like Florida, Louisville, probably OU [Oklahoma] and some more schools."
Howell made the first of the five official visits he intends to make at Arkansas.
"It was cool," Howell said. "I had a good time. I could definitely see myself being here. It's definitely a good school, and the team is headed in the right direction."
Offensive lineman Zach Rogers and punter Blake Johnson, both Arkansas commitments, along with Howell and Reed, were able to be in the Razorbacks locker room after the game.
"They were definitely pumped up to knock No. 17 off," Howell said. "It was good for them. Coach [Bret] Bielema told him he was proud of them and if they could do that, no telling what else they could do."
Arkansas, Ohio State, Missouri, Kansas, Arizona State, Louisville, Kentucky and North Carolina State are among the schools that have extended scholarship offers to Howell. He said he plans to official visit Ohio State on Nov. 29 and is also considering Missouri, Arizona State and others for visits.
Howell couldn't just name one part of the trip that stood out.
"All of it," Howell said. "I had a pretty good time. I liked it all."
E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 11/18/2014