Razorbacks add lineman from Iowa

Jake Heinrich

Arkansas landed one of its top targets when offensive lineman Jake Heinrich publicly committed to the Razorbacks on Saturday.

Heinrich, 6-4, 290 pounds of Urbandale, Iowa, chose the Razorbacks over scholarship offers from Oregon, Iowa State, Louisville, Kansas State, Illinois, California and others. He and his parents, Don and Gerri, made an unofficial visit to Fayetteville on June 6-7.

The fact that 10 offensive linemen on teams coached by Bret Bielema have been taken in the NFL Draft and offensive line coach Sam Pittman's 16 draftees was important to him.

"I'm just excited about the program because obviously coach Pittman and Coach Bielema have a great history of developing offensive linemen," said Heinrich after his visit.

National recruiting analyst Tom Lemming of CBS Sports Network rates him a 4-star prospect.

He recorded a 380-pound bench press, 575 squat last summer and recently power cleaned 335.

Strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert was also impressed.

"Really feel like he's good at developing players not only getting them stronger, but improving their mobility and obviously their performance on the field," Heinrich said. "That's his priority. He seems to do a good job at that."

Heinrich, who has been invited to play in the Semper Fidelis All-American game Jan. 4 in Carson, Calif., has a 3.8 grade point average and scored a 27 on the ACT. Spending time with Bielema was another highlight of the June visit.

"That was a good time, really enjoyed meeting him and talking to him and hanging out and not only talking about football, but life after football," Heinrich said.

He becomes Arkansas' 11th commitment for the 2016 class. Oral commitments are not binding.

Sports on 07/05/2015