Arkansas got into the recruiting race for running back Kyle Porter about a month ago after offering him a scholarship, anda visit could happen in the coming months.
"It caught me off guard, but for a running back they could be a good fit," Porter said of Arkansas.
Porter, 5-11, 194 pounds, 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Katy, Texas, is rated as the No. 18 running back and No. 171 overall prospect in the nation by ESPN. He rushed 147 times for 1,006 yards and 17 touchdowns and had 34 receptions for 276 yards and 5 touchdowns as a junior.
"They run the ball a lot and throw to the running back," Porter said of the Hogs.
Porter also has scholarship offers from Texas, Tennessee, Baylor, TCU, Illinois, California and others. While Arkansas has been dubbed "Running Back U" by ESPN, Porter said that will not be a factor in his choice.
"I can't let that necessarily impact any of my decisions," Porter said, "because that was the success of those running backs and has nothing to do with my success because I haven't done anything."
As a sophomore, Porter had 1,877 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns on 255 carries and was named the co-newcomer of the year for District 19-5A. He also has recorded a time of 10.60 seconds in the 100 meters.
Arkansas defensive backs coach Clay Jennings and running backs coach Jemal Singleton are recruiting Porter.
"I'm going to try to visit [Arkansas] in the summer," Porter said.
Porter said he doesn't have a firm time frame for his college decision, but hopes to decide before the start of his senior season. He'll rely on his faith is sorting out schools.
"All the schools that recruit have what it takes to be the place for me, that's why the decision is tough," Porter said. "So I'm just praying on it."
Rummel pipeline
Arkansas receivers coach Michael Smith signed sophomores linebacker Dwayne Eugene and cornerback Henre Toliver of Metairie (La.) Rummel in 2014. On Saturday, he secured the commitment of highly regarded defensive lineman Briston Guidry from the same school.
The Hogs hope to add cornerback Kristian Fulton to the haul in the future. He plans to accompany Guidry for Arkansas' spring game April 25.
"I just want to get a feel for the coaches and just see what it's like up there because it would be far away from home," Fulton said. "How do I feel up there? Do I feel comfortable? Does it feel like I'm at home?"
Fulton, 6-0, 170, has approximately 22 scholarship offers, including ones from Arkansas, LSU, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Notre Dame and Louisville. He said having Eugene, Toliver and Guidry in Fayetteville gives him a comfort level.
"With them being up there, it makes me feel more positive [toward Arkansas]," Fulton said. "I would have people I know up there."
ESPN rates Fulton as the No. 7 cornerback and No. 67 overall prospect in the nation. He has been selected to participate in the prestigious summer event The Opening that features the nation's top 162 prospects at Nike Headquarters in Beaverton, Ore., in early July.
Eugene and Toliver have talked up the Razorbacks and Coach Bret Bielema to Fulton.
"They just said it was a great place to be," Fulton said. "The fans all love them up there. It's a fun time there. Coach B and the coaches are about business."
Fulton said he wasn't surprised by Guidry's commitment to the Hogs.
"I saw it coming," Fulton said. "He told me the day before he was going to do it. They've kind of been his leader the whole way."
Guidry is now in Fulton's ear.
"He's trying to get me to come up there already," Fulton said. "He's recruiting me right now. He's telling me that it would be nice to have us four up there."
Pipeline II
Metairie (La.) Rummel Coach Jay Roth said he believes Arkansas is getting an outstanding defensive linemen in Briston Guidry.
"He's a two-time all-stater already as a sophomore and a junior," Roth said. "He was a part of the state championship team in 2013.
He's an athlete. He was a heck of a basketball player when he wasn't so big. He's very athletic. He could probably play defensive end or inside."
Guidry, 6-3, 287, 4.8, picked the Hogs over about 11 scholarship offers, including ones from LSU, Alabama, Ole Miss and Texas A&M. He's rated a 4-star prospect by national recruiting analyst Tom Lemming of CBS Sports Network.
Roth said he isn't surprised Arkansas receivers coach Michael Smith has been able to lure three of his players to Fayetteville and is in the running for a fourth.
"Coach Smitty did a great job recruiting him," Roth said. "I know Michael whenever he's come through our place he's good. He can relate to the kids and he's from New Orleans."
E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 04/14/2015