FAYETTEVILLE -- There was no shortage of home-grown talent in Arkansas' 2015 signing class announced Wednesday.
The 10 in-state signees doubled the total of five in 2010, 2012 and 2014.
It was the Razorbacks' largest in-state group since 2008, when Bobby Petrino's first signing class featured 14 Arkansans, led by receivers Jarius Wright, Greg Childs and Chris Gragg from Warren, receiver Joe Adams from Little Rock, quarterback Tyler Wilson from Greenwood and running back Dennis Johnson from Texarkana.
Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema said that after signing his first class in 2013, he began taking notice of the in-state players who would be seniors this year.
"Every place we went into I'm like, 'Whoa, whoa!' " Bielema said. "It just shows that the level of football in Arkansas is exceptional."
Two of Wednesday's signees, linebacker Dre Greenlaw and tight end C.J. O'Grady, are from Fayetteville.
The other eight in-state signees are defensive linemen Jamario Bell (Junction City) and Daytrieon Dean (Fort Smith Northside), tight end Will Gragg (Dumas), offensive lineman Colton Jackson (Conway), receivers LaMichael Pettway (Nashville), Dominique Reed (Camden and Coffeyville, Kan., Community College) and Deon Stewart (Highland) and quarterback Ty Storey (Charleston).
"Any time you get a guy that can play for his state institution, it's really important," Razorbacks defensive coordinator Robb Smith said. "There's an extra heartbeat along with that."
North Little Rock receiver K.J. Hill, who signed Wednesday with Ohio State, was the only in-state player the Razorbacks offered a scholarship who signed elsewhere. Hill initially committed to Arkansas last August, then re-opened his recruiting a month ago.
"The No. 1 thing I've learned in recruiting is we only talk about the people we have," Bielema said. "I think recruiting is always going to be a 24-7 year-round process, and anybody that didn't join us that we offered a scholarship, I obviously wish them the best in the future that they have decided."
Tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr., the Razorbacks' lead in-state recruiter, said the number of SEC-caliber players in Arkansas runs in cycles.
"I don't think it's necessarily the norm, but it wouldn't surprise me if that situation came around again two or three years from now," Lunney said of having 10 in-state signees. "I think next year is another good class."
Bielema said Reed, who last season at Coffeyville caught 61 passes for 1,157 yards and 18 touchdowns, was Arkansas' top receiver target because of his speed.
"Dominique brings a guy that can stretch the field," receivers coach Michael Smith said. "He has great body control and good hands, but the speed factor is probably his biggest attribute.
"What he has to do is work hard to get himself in position to come in and contribute. He needs to take care of his academic stuff at Coffeyville.
"Once we get him here on campus, we'll force feed him and hopefully get him ready to play ball."
New offensive coordinator Dan Enos said he's watched some game tape of Storey, who was among Arkansas' early enrollees and took part in some bowl practices in late December.
"I've been impressed with him," Enos said. "He's got a strong arm and runs well. He's got good size and certainly was very productive."
Lunney said Will Gragg, Chris' younger brother, is a prototypical tight end.
"He's got the body to handle some of the in-line responsibilities, but he also has good hands and can run," Lunney said.
O'Grady combined for 86 catches for 1,630 yards and 25 touchdowns as a junior and senior.
"I don't know if there's a more experienced tight end as a receiver in the country than C.J.," Lunney said. "He's got an incredible knack for catching the ball in traffic."
Offensive line coach Sam Pittman said Jackson, listed at 6-6 and 295 pounds, has the height and athleticism to be a quality SEC lineman.
"He has as a lot of upside, but Colton has to learn to finish plays," Pittman said. "If he does that, he'll be as talented as any member of this class."
Smith attended one of Fayetteville's games last season to watch Greenlaw, who had 119 tackles as a senior and could play weakside linebacker or safety for the Razorbacks.
"The guy made plays all over the football field," Smith said. "I thought he adjusted to the ball well, fit the run very well. I thought he was a really smart and an aware football player as far as knowing what was going on around him."
Bell and Dean, who is recovering from a torn labrum in the shoulder area, are slated to play defensive end.
"Those guys really excite me, especially coming off the edge and being able to develop as a pass rusher," Smith said.
Defensive line coach Rory Segrest watched Bell play basketball.
"I'll never forget the first time I laid eyes on him he left from about the free-throw line on a dunk," Segrest said. "He's just a very impressive athlete."
Segrest said Dean could play inside depending on much weight he adds.
"Daytrieon brings a lot of versatility," Segrest said. "He's a big guy that has some good power."
Sports on 02/05/2015