Tuesday recruiting tidbits

Jalen Merrick has become one of the more highly recruited offensive line prospects in the nation with only two seasons under his belt.

Highly recruited offensive lineman Jalen Merrick said he talked Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema, offensive line coach Sam Pittman and linebackers coach Randy Shannon early Monday morning.

He didn't know Sept. 1 was the day college coaches could start calling and missed a call from Pittman while sleeping. He called Pittman back at 12:33 a.m.and spoke to the coaches.

Merrick, 6-5, 310 pounds, 5.21 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of New Smyrna Beach, Fla. has more than 20 offers from schools like Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Michigan State. He said he'll officially visit the Hogs for the either the Alabama, Ole Miss or LSU game.

Star City junior defensive lineman Austin Capps said he talked to Bielema Monday night.

Junior safety Brandon Jones, 6-0, 195, 4.3 of Nacogdoches, Texas received a scholarship offer from the Hogs on Monday. He's now up to 30 offers.

He spoke to Bielema on the phone. His lead recruiter defensive backs coach Clay Jennings has previously communicated with him. He said he hopes to visit the Hogs soon.

Pine Bluff junior tight end-defensive end John Tate said he received a direct message from tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. He said Ole Miss and Auburn also reached out to him.

Cornerback Deshawn Raymond, 6-2, 182, 4.52 seconds in the 40 yard dash, of Metairie, (La.) East Jefferson said he'll officially visit Arkansas for the Alabama game on Oct. 11.

He has approximately 20 scholarship offers and lists Arkansas, LSU, TCU, Mississippi State and Georgia as his top five schools.

Bentonville junior cornerback Tyrone Mahone said Lunney messaged him on Twitter at 12:46 a.m. on Monday. He said Lunney wanted to reach out to him on the first day of legal contact.

Razorback defensive line commitment Hjalte Froholdt of Bradenton, (Fla.) IMG Academy said as of Monday, he and his brother, Lars are still on to visit for the Nicholls State game.