National recruiting analyst Tom Lemming likes the class that Coach Bret Bielema and his staff were able to sign and said he believes it's a top 20 class.
The Hogs signed six prospects rated four-star and three recruits rated four-star plus. Lemming rates defensive end McTelvin Agim, 6-3, 268 pounds, 4.62 seconds in the 40-yard dash, running back Devwah Whaley, 6-0, 209, 4.45 of Beaumont, (Texas) Central and athlete T.J. Hammonds, 5-11, 192, 4,42 of Pulaski Robinson four-star plus prospects.
Six of the signees are rated four-star recruits, including offensive lineman Jake Heinrich, 6-4, 290, 5.3 of Urbandale, Iowa, defensive lineman Austin Capps, 6-3, 312, 5.1 of Star City, receiver Kofi Boateng, 6-1, 180, 4.6 of Arlington, Texas, Lamar and linebacker Alexy Jean-Baptiste, 6-2, 200, 4.48 of Pompano Beach, Fla., Coconut Creek.
Defensive lineman Briston Guidry, 6-3, 284, 4.90 of Metairie (La.) Rummel and linebacker Giovanni LaFrance, 6-1, 239, 4.8 of New Orleans, (La.) St. Augustine round out the four-star prospects.
Lemming has five SEC teams in his top 10 with Alabama being the top-rated class. LSU was No. 2, Ole Miss No. 6, Auburn No. 9 and Florida No. 10. The Hogs come in at No. 18 while Georgia is No. 11, Tennessee No. 15 and Texas A&M No. 19.
"They did a great job in-state and they're spreading their wings out of state and bringing impact ballplayers with guys like Whaley and Guidry and Heinrich," Lemming said. "These are guys that are really good and heavily recruited. You add Baptiste in Florida, they're big- time guys."
Agim, who had 24 sacks as a senior, signed a Financial Aid Agreement with Arkansas in December and enrolled in January. Lemming sees a bright future for him in Fayetteville.
"He's built perfectly to be a pass rusher and that's why he had such a great senior year," Lemming said. "He has arms of a 6-7 guy, great burst and great attitude. Pass rushers are really tough to find but I believe he has the ability to be an elite pass rusher."
Whaley chose the Razorbacks over Texas, Texas A&M, Alabama, Oklahoma and others. Lemming took notice early, naming Whaley to his Sophomore All American team as a defensive back.
"I think will come in and play right away," Lemming said. "With the big lineman they have at Arkansas, he plays great behind big guys because he's kind of a one cutback, power back with good vision and very good speed. Once he finds an opening, he's gone."
Heinrich brings versatility.
"He can play guard or tackle or center," Lemming said. "He's one of the more versatile offensive linemen in the Midwest."
Lemming said there are four elite defensive linemen in Louisiana, and that includes LSU signees Edwin Alexander and Rashard Lawrence along with Guidry.
"I thought he was as good as the other ones," Lemming said of Guidry. "Some of the people are praising Rashard Lawrence and he was good, but he wasn't great. I thought Guidry has as much ability as him."
Lemming said Hammonds, who will get a look at slot receiver and running back at Arkansas, could also be a kick-returner.
"He's probably the most explosive of the guys in this class," he said. "He's a muscular kid and can run."
Lemming, who has been covering the national recruiting scene of 37 years, showed Hammonds video on his weekly show The Lemming Report on CBS Sports Network.
"I just thought he was premier ballplayer," Lemming said.
Receiver Jordan Jones, 6-2, 180, 4.34 of Smackover, quarterback Cole Kelley, 6-7, 250, 4.9 of Lafayette, (La.) Teurlings Catholic, safety Deon Edwards, 6-1, 199, 4.6 of Clermont (Fla.) Lake Minneola and tight end Grayson Gunter, 6-5, 218, 4.58 Madison, (Miss.) Central are three-star recruits.
De'jon Harris, 6-1, 230 4.7 of Marrero, (La.) John Ehret is the ideal inside linebacker, Lemming said.
"I've been going to Ehret for years and that's where the tough guys are and he's a tough kid, said Lemming, who rates Harris a three-star plus recruit.
Arkansas also signed three-star outside linebacker Dee Walker, 6-3, 210, 4.50 of Moultrie (Ga.) Colquitt Count.
The Hogs signed two three-star offensive linemen, Paul Ramirez, 6-7, 295 of San Bernardino Valley College in California and Terrance Malone, 6-5, 295 of Northwest Mississippi Community College. Malone signed in December and enrolled in January.
Fullback Hayden Johnson, 6-3, 245, 4.8 Columbia, Mo., Rock Bridge and safety Micahh Smith, 6-1, 198, 4.54, of Marshall, Texas, are also rated three-star prospects.
Sports on 02/04/2016