The Recruiting Guy

Hogs' philosophy entices Texas O-lineman for 2018

Arkansas assistant coach Kurt Anderson speaks to reporters on Friday, July 29, 2016, in Bella Vista.

The Arkansas football program has the luxury of looking ahead to the recruiting classes of 2018 and 2019 with 19 oral commitments already secured for the Class of 2017.

In doing so, the Razorbacks -- along with 18 other schools -- have extended a scholarship offer to junior offensive tackle Colten Blanton.

Blanton, 6-8, 277 pounds, of Cypress Ranch (Texas) High School, has offers from schools such as Arkansas, Alabama, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Michigan, Georgia and Ohio State. He said he plans to visit Fayetteville before he makes his college decision in June.

"The way that they run the football and run their offense at Arkansas is a lot like how we at Cy Ranch run our offense," Blanton said of the Hogs. "The education at Arkansas is top notch as well, and the state of Arkansas is beautiful."

Blanton said he has friends who attend Arkansas who have told him good things.

"It's a good school, and you can't beat the campus," Blanton said.

Blanton has a 275-pound bench press, 355 squat and a 260 power clean. He and offensive line coach Kurt Anderson have been communicating.

"He's trying to get me up there for a visit," Blanton said. "He's a very cool guy. I like him a lot."

During the two previous seasons, Arkansas' offensive line has been the biggest in college football by average weight.

"I think it says something with how the whole program and country looks at their O-line," Blanton said.

ESPN rates Blanton as the nation's No. 11 offensive tackle and No. 132 overall prospect for the Class of 2018. His highlight video shows an aggressive lineman who likes to play until the whistle blows.

"You can play mean, and you get to hit people every play," Blanton said.

Blanton penciled in his decision date for next summer to help his teammates get noticed.

"That way coaches will still come out during spring and will look at me as well as my teammates," Blanton said. "My teammates are always there for me and are my brothers. I'd rather watch them succeed than me."

Few teams in the nation focus on the offensive line as much as Arkansas. The offensive line was featured on the Hogs' 2015 media guide and flies first class on road trips.

"It says a lot about what the team and coaches think about the guys who don't get the most credit on game day from the fans and media," Blanton said.

School of emphasis

Arkansas is working to get prospects for the 2017, 2018 and 2019 classes out of Detroit Cass Technical High School in Michigan.

Senior safety Jaylen Kelly-Powell visited Fayetteville with his cousin and cornerback Ambry Thomas of Detroit Martin Luther King High School for Arkansas' three-day camp in June. It appears Kelly-Powell will make a return trip for an official visit.

The Hogs have offered junior cornerback Kalon Gervin from the school and have strong interest in sophomore cornerback Xavier Goldsmith.

Goldsmith, 5-8, 150, 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has eight early offers from schools such as Toledo, Cincinnati, Temple and Kent State. He said Kelly-Powell bragged on Arkansas.

"He said it was great, he loved the coaches, and the facilities were great," Goldsmith said. "It's a great school. He loved how the practice field was set up."

He and Gervin are looking to visit Arkansas after the season.

"We will probably be doing a lot more traveling together after the season," Goldsmith said. "[Kalon] does love Arkansas."

Goldsmith, who played the last three games on the varsity level last season, likes the idea of playing in the SEC.

"The SEC is really competitive, and the competition is really high, so it would be a honor," he said.

He's also heard good things about defensive backs coach Paul Rhodes.

"We just started building a relationship, but I hear from Jaylen that he's a great coach," Goldsmith said.

Goldsmith emphasized he is willing to leave Michigan to play college football.

"Sometimes a change of scenery is good," he said. "I'm never one to be constrained by geographical area. Everywhere has its advantages. I just have to look at it and see if it fits me."

Email Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports on 08/09/2016