The Recruiting Guy

Good words about Hogs piques D-lineman's interest

Arkansas defensive line coach Rory Segrest directs his players during practice Thursday, March 20, 2014, at the UA practice field in Fayetteville.

— Good reviews from a friend is helping junior defensive lineman Michael Williams’ interest level in Arkansas.

Williams, 6-2 1/2, 300, 4.95 seconds in the 40 yard dash, of Fort Worth, (Texas) All Saints Episcopal is friends with sophomore linebacker Baron Browning, who received a scholarship offer from the Hogs after participating in a summer camp last year.

“Baron has been trying to throw me Arkansas because they were one of his first offers,” said Williams, who took part in the Nike Football The Opening Regional at Arlington Lamar High School on Sunday. “So Baron tries to play recruiter. “

Browning, who’s from Kennedale, which is a suburb of Fort Worth, has been high on te Razorbacks since visiting and getting his offer from Arkansas. Williams is impressed how the Hogs are progressing under Coach Bret Bielema’s

“I like Arkansas, it’s SEC football,” Williams said. “They’re on the rise with coach Bielema. He’s had the program on a steady incline so I have a high interest in Arkansas.”

Williams has 37 scholarship offers from schools like Texas, TCU, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Baylor and others. He recorded 64 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, a sack, 3 recovered fumbles and a blocked field goal this past season.

A trip to Fayetteville is a possibility.

“It could happen, they’ve haven’t been on the list just yet,” Williams said. “They told me they were reviewing my film so they should be talking to me, so it’s probably like 50 precent.”

He said the Arkansas coaches like his ability.

“They like how physical I am and how well I can move,” Williams said.

Williams, who bench pressed 385 pounds last summer, wants to play at 290 next fall.

“I had to drop into coverage sometimes and run with some running backs sometimes,” he said. “I have to make sure I have enough speed to do that.”