The Recruiting Guy

Texas receiver likes what he's heard about Hogs

Receiver Tyrie Cleveland, who has more than 40 offers, plans to visit Arkansas.

Highly sought receiver Tyrie Cleveland plans to visit Arkansas in June because of his relationship with defensive backs coach Clay Jennings.

"He's a very cool guy," Cleveland said. "He and I can talk about anything. We have a good connection going. He's very funny and outgoing, and he really wants me to be at Arkansas."

Cleveland, who attends Houston (Texas) Westfield High School, has scholarship offers from more than 40 schools, including Arkansas, LSU, Alabama, Florida, Baylor and Texas A&M. He was committed to Texas A&M but reopened his recruitment April 15.

He had 53 receptions for 1,109 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior. Arkansas missed out on his teammate Toby Weathersby, an offensive lineman who signed with LSU in February, but the future Tiger gave the Hogs a thumbs-up after an official visit in January.

"He told me about all the good things going on," said Cleveland, who has a 3.0 grade-point average and is considering business as a major. "He said the coaching staff is awesome and the fan base up there is crazy. He talked to me about Arkansas a few times."

Weathersby's comments are part of the reason Cleveland decided to make a trip to Fayetteville.

"Oh yeah, that helps a lot," Cleveland said.

Cleveland, 6-3, 190 pounds, 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash, is also a track and field standout and has recorded top times of 10.50 seconds in the 100 meters and 21.9 seconds in the 200. He said he's considered trying to be a dual-sport athlete in college.

"If a school lets me run track in college, I'll run," he said.

ESPN rates him the No. 13 wide receiver and No. 89 prospect in the nation. He will participate in The Opening, a combine in Beaverton, Ore., that features the top 162 football prospects in the nation.

"I'm looking at playing time and somewhere I can feel comfortable, so I can feel like I'm at home," Cleveland said of what he wants from a college. "Someplace I can go and they'll have my back and I'll be taken care of."

PLANNING A RETURN

Linebacker Erroll Thompson of Florence, Ala., has been planning to make a return to Fayetteville since visiting Oct. 11 for Arkansas' game against Alabama.

"I have a feel for how it is up there seeing the fans, the coaches and some of the players and the style of play and the facilities," said Thompson, who is considering a summer visit. "That was a A-plus in my book because I've already been up there."

Thompson, 6-2, 255, 4.72, has scholarship offers from more than 10 schools that include Alabama, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Kentucky, Michigan and Louisville.

Some have speculated that Thompson is a lock to sign with Alabama.

"A lot of players get caught up in the hype of being an Alabama recruit and being from Alabama," said Thompson, who had 70 tackles, including 29 for loss, 7 sacks and 1 forced fumble for the Class 6A Falcons. "Don't worry about that with me. Wherever I fit in is wherever I fit in."

Thompson credited his relationship with Arkansas defensive line coach Rory Segrest, his lead recruiter, for his interest in the Razorbacks.

" He's a real hands-on guy and he's going to be there for you and do the best he can for you," Thompson said. "He's a family guy, and he just wants the best out of you. He's going to push you to your limit."

Thompson said Arkansas is recruiting him as an inside linebacker but also likes his ability to get to the quarterback.

"Come down and rush the pass on third down," Thompson said. "On first and second down, play in the box a little bit."

Thompson said he also plans to visit Michigan, Mississippi State, Alabama, Tennessee and Louisville.

HOGS DROP

Defensive end Caleb Roddy of Denham Springs, La., said shortly after visiting Arkansas on April 7 that the Razorbacks were the team to beat for his services.

He's added several other scholarship offers since that visit, and he said Wednesday that Arkansas was no longer his top choice.

"I still have Arkansas high on my list, but they're not No. 1 anymore," said Roddy, who still plans to take an official visit to the Razorbacks. "I haven't made my new list yet."

Roddy, 6-5, 241, 4.9, had at least 15 scholarship offers from schools that include Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Tennessee and Arizona State when he named Arkansas as his leader.

He said offers from Auburn, Oregon, Texas, Texas A&M, Missouri and an expected offer from LSU have caused him to re-evaluate his recruiting.

When asked if Arkansas could do anything to move back into the top spot, he said he didn't think so before adding that he could possibly change his mind when he returns for a visit.

Roddy said his lead recruiter, receivers coach Michael Smith, and the Arkansas staff have made it known that he is a major priority by showing up at the school during the spring evaluation period.

"They stay in touch with me on Twitter," Roddy said. "The way they describe me in their scheme sounds great. I'd be a play-maker. They could really use me."

Hogs get pledge from linebacker

Louisiana linebacker De’jon Harris became Arkansas’ sixth oral commitment for the 2016 class Thursday evening when he told linebackers coach Vernon Hargreaves he was ready to be a Razorback.

Harris, from Marrero, La., and his mother attended the Red-White spring game April 25 and that helped him make his decision.

“I felt great how the coaching staff really wanted me,” said Harris, who plays for Marrero John Ehret High School. “My mom really loved it. It’s easy for her to get there.”

Harris, 6-1, 230 pounds, 4.70 seconds in the 40-yard dash, chose Arkansas over scholarship offers from Arizona State, Oregon, Memphis, Southern Miss, Tulane and others.

He and Hargreaves talked Wednesday and discussed several Florida linebackers the Hogs were recruiting.

“He told me he liked three or four linebackers out there, but he liked me better than them,” Harris said. “I really wanted to get it done, so I got it done.”

Harris had 82 tackles, 15 for loss, 3 forced fumbles, 2 recovered fumbles and 5 pass breakups as a junior.

He said Arkansas receivers coach Michael Smith scored big points by staying on him after he suffered a torn right knee meniscus during his sophomore season.

“Every day Coach Smitty direct messaged me on Twitter,” Harris said. “He said, ‘Bro, let’s get this thing done. It’s going to be the best thing to happen to you.’ ”

Oral commitments are nonbinding.

E-mail Richard Davenport at

rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports on 05/22/2015