THE RECRUITING GUY

Wednesday recruiting tidbits

Porter Gustin

Arkansas offensive line target Jalen Merrick said Coach Bret Bielema and offensive line coach Sam Pittman will do an in-home visit on Monday.

Merrick, 6-5, 310 pounds, 5.21 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., has more than 20 scholarship offers from schools that include Arkansas, Alabama, Florida State, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Michigan State.

He officially visited the Hogs over the weekend. Bielema spoke to Merrick and his parents Tuesday night.

Offensive lineman Pat Allen, 6-3, 305 pounds, 5.1 seconds in the 40-yard dash, reports Bielema and Pittman will visit him on Monday.

Pulaski Robinson junior athlete T.J, Hammonds rushed 58 times for 852 yards, 7 touchdowns, 41 receptions for 1,172 yards and 11 touchdowns. He had 4 put returns for 122 yards, 3 kickoffs returns for 98 yards, 19 solo tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 recovered fumble and a blocked field goal this season.

Bielema talked with highly regarded and former Michigan linebacker commitment Darrin Kirkland and his father Tuesday night.

Kirkland, 6-2, 231, 4.58 of Indianapolis, (Ind) Lawrence Central is rated the No. 7 inside linebacker and No. 270 overall prospect by ESPN.

Linebacker-Defensive end Porter Gustin, 6-4, 238 pounds, 4.63 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Salem Hills High School in Utah liked what he saw in Arkansas' 30-0 victory over Ole Miss.

"Arkansas' win over Ole Miss showed what they are capable of and I loved how the defense played."

The Hogs are trying to get an official visit from Gustin, who has scholarship offers from approximately 35 schools, including Arkansas, Notre Dame, Southern Cal, Ohio State, Arizona State, UCLA, Oregon and Florida State.

Conway kicker Matthew Cummins had 52 touchbacks out of 72 kickoffs, made 54 of 55 extra points and 5 of 6 field goals with a long of 38 this season. As a junior, he had 36 touchbacks out of 69 kickoffs, made 47 of 49 extra points and 9 of 12 field goals with a long of 50.

He had 32 touchbacks out of 69 kickoffs, made 50 of 51 extra points and 6 of 7 field goals with a long of 52.

He has an offer from UCA and is drawing interest from Arkansas State and Memphis.