Star City defensive lineman Austin Capps told Coach Bret Bielema he wanted to be a Razorback during a visit on Saturday and Monday morning he went public with his oral commitment.
Capps, 6-3, 312, 5.1 seconds in the 40-yard dash, chose the Hogs over scholarship offers from Ole Miss, Louisville and Mississippi State while drawing interest from Alabama, Auburn, LSU and others.
He said he let Bielema know of his intentions during a 1-on-1 meeting.
"We were in his office talking and it just happened," Capps said. "Every time I was there I just felt like I was home."
Capps received his scholarship offer from Arkansas after a dominating performance at a three-day camp just a few weeks after completing the ninth grade.
Capps was named an Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Super Sophomore after recording 103 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 recovered fumble and 1 blocked punt. ESPN rates him a 4-star recruit, the No. 18 defensive tackle and nation's No. 208 prospect.
Star City Coach Jett Ferneaux said people are awed by the combination of Capps' size and mobility.
"To watch him move, to watch him do his pro-agility and watch him run his 40, steal a base in baseball, he can really move for a big guy," Ferneaux said. "That's the thing that's said about him on film is how he runs down the line of scrimmage. Especially when he's playing D-tackle and making plays on the sideline."
Capps had 76 tackles, including 14 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 1 recovered fumble this past season. The Arkansas coaching staff helped win him over.
"The coaches really let you know they want you and care about you and your best interest," said Capps, who visited with his mother, Thea, and younger sister, Mary, before committing.
Capps said Bielema was thrilled with his pledge.
"He stood up and gave me a hug and said 'Yes' and even said that I made his day," Capps said.
Capps, one of eight junior prospects to visit on Saturday, said he was impressed by defensive line coach Rory Segrest, as was Hope defensive end McTelvin Agim.
"After I spent the day with him, he seemed like a coach I wanted to play for," said Capps, who has a 390-pound bench press, 585 squat and 365 power clean. "And even told me and Sosa (Agim) that we could call him anytime during the season if we needed help and send a video he'd watch it and tell us what is wrong with our technique and I was like 'wow' no one else has said they're do that."
Capps represents Arkansas' second commitment for the 2016 class. Oral commitments are nonbinding.
Sports on 03/10/2015