Offensive lineman Larry Boyd has plans to visit Fayetteville and could be the next St. Louis prospect to sign with Arkansas.
The Razorbacks have two sophomores, offensive lineman Brian Wallace and defensive lineman Armon Watts, who played at St. Louis Christian Brothers.
St. Louis (Mo.) Trinity Catholic Coach Cory Patterson said having Wallace and Watts on the roster is a plus for Arkansas, as is running backs coach Reggie Mitchell.
"[Boyd] loves Arkansas," Patterson said. "He just likes the school. There's a few St. Louis guys down there playing on the line, so it just seems like it would be a good place. We were trying to find a way to get him down there so he can meet with coach."
"Larry is a hell of a ballplayer. He's one of those guys that plays well under pressure. He likes competition. He plays his best ball when he plays someone who is supposed to be a really good ballplayer. He's one of the guys that likes to dominate the man in front of him."
The 6-5, 310-pound Boyd -- who announced a top four of Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma State and Illinois on Aug. 2 -- hopes to visit the Hogs soon.
"We were going to try and get down last weekend, but they had some things going on at the school," Patterson said. "We're in the process of deciding when we're going to get down now. We're trying to get down before the season starts, but if we can't we're going get down there for one of the games."
Mitchell, who has more than 30 years of college coaching experience, has been like a mentor to Patterson, who is 35 years old.
"He's a guy I can always call and talk to," Patterson said. "He keeps me up on things and things about growing up being a good coach. I'm a young coach, so he's somebody I can call if I have questions. He's always been real to me. If he tells me he's going to do something, he's going to do it. I like guys like that. I just think coach Mitchell is a really good guy."
Patterson said Mitchell thinks well of Coach Bret Bielema.
"He loves Coach B, you can tell that when we're talking," Patterson said. "I've never met Coach B before, but he talks about Coach B like Coach B is the guy. I'm excited to meet him."
CBS Sports Network national recruiting analyst Tom Lemming rates Boyd a three-star plus prospect.
"You have to love this young man's size and potential," said Lemming, who has 38 years of experience on the national scene. "He needs to be more consistent, but the athletic ability is certainly there. Once he gets to a college weight room, watch out. He's no doubt a big-time prospect."
Razorback fans are known to be active on Twitter in trying to encourage prospects to consider the Hogs. Patterson said Boyd has noticed the passionate fans.
"He likes that type of stuff," Patterson said. "He doesn't talk a whole lot. He's not a kid that's going to give a you a long conversation, but he's crazy about Arkansas football. They have a big following."
Since arriving in Fayetteville, Bielema's reputation for good offensive line play and an ability to send guys to the NFL have attracted several top linemen to Arkansas. The addition of Kurt Anderson, who has three years' experience as the assistant offensive line coach for the Buffalo Bills, is another plus for recruiting.
"They had one of the biggest offensive lines in the game last year," Patterson said. "Larry wants an opportunity to play on Sundays, and he wants to play for someone that can help him get there."
Email Richard Davenport atrdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 08/12/2016