Arkansas defensive end recruit Allen Cater committed to Indiana in June, but Friday he withdrew his pledge.
Cater, 6-5, 240 pounds, 4.8 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Kennesaw (Ga.) Mount Paran Christian, has recently seen his stock and number of scholarship offers rise. He made an unofficial visit to Fayetteville for the Mississippi State game Nov. 21 and received a scholarship offer from the Hogs.
In addition to the Razorbacks, Illinois, North Carolina, Wake Forest and Minnesota have also recently extend offers and he now has a total of 23. South Carolina is showing strong interest.
He said he's in no hurry to announce a decision.
"Right now, I don't plan on committing soon. The reason why is ... I just decommitted and I want to make sure I do the process right," Cater said. "As far as what schools are on my list, they're all pretty equal. I do like Arkansas."
He officially visited Arkansas on Dec. 4-6 and Indiana on Dec. 10-12. He also has plans to take his other three allotted trips.
"I'll visit North Carolina the first or second weekend in January, and then there's a visit set up with Wake Forest," Cater said.
Cater also plays basketball and competes in the 100 and 200 meters and runs a leg on the 400 rely. National recruiting analyst Tom Lemming of CBS Sports Network rates him as a three-star plus prospect.
"He has length and plays with good leverage while having a great burst," said Lemming, who's going into his 37th year on the national recruiting scene. "He's one of the more underrated players in the Atlanta area. I visited Atlanta last month, and Allen's name came up more than once."
Cater said he recently talked to Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema, as well as lead recruiter and defensive line coach Rory Segrest.
"They pretty much wanted to know how serious I was about Arkansas and, of course, about being a Hog," Cater said. "They pretty much wanted to know what else they need to do to make me realize that."
He was quick to point out what stood out about Arkansas.
"The fans, by far," Cater said. "The fans and then the facilities."
His parents, Allen Sr. and Mary, accompanied him on his unofficial and official visits to Fayetteville.
"I definitely could see myself playing for the Razorbacks and being coached by them and seeing myself being successful. It's a just a matter of going through the process," Cater said.
Cater said he and his parents often discuss recruiting. They have encouraged him to take the process slowly.
"Pretty much to have fun through the process and don't have a narrow mind, keep your mind open," Cater said. "At least look at other schools to see maybe what they have. At the end of the day, whatever I choose they'll be happy and support me."
His experiences have taught him things about the recruiting process, he said.
"Pretty much how much that it's a business," Cater said. "Some doors will close and, all of a sudden, they'll open back up. You just have to look at it from a business mind and not personal.
"I'm more of a pass rush D-end than I guess the normal strong side type defensive end and a lot of pass rush scholarships were already filled. Then you have guys leaving, a guy is hurt and doors open up."
Cater said his relationship with Segrest is strong.
"I can pretty much call him anytime I want to talk about anything," he said. "He definitely wants me to be a Hog. That's the first thing he said when I decommitted. Coach Segrest is definitely a cool person."
Arkansas has been consistent in its pursuit of Cater.
"I would say they're recruiting me hard, maybe slightly more than others," Cater said.
Not so 'dead'
The NCAA football recruiting dead period that started Dec. 14 and lasts until Jan. 13, doesn't mean recruiting has come to a halt.
The dead period forbids college coaches from having face-to-face contact with prospects and their parents on or off campus. Coaches can still talk to prospects and their parents on the phone while also communicating through mail, e-mail or social media.
Recruits can call a coach anytime during the period.
E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 12/22/2015