FAYETTEVILLE -- Blue-chip prospects Devwah Whaley, Briston Guidry and T.J. Hammonds joined previously signed in-state jewel McTelvin Agim to highlight Arkansas' 2016 recruiting class Wednesday's national signing day.
The 20-member class was rated No. 24 by both ESPN.com and 247Sports, and No. 32 by both Scout.com and Rivals.com.
"I just really think we did a great job of assessing the needs that we had," said Bielema, who added that the Razorbacks shored up shallow spots by bringing aboard four linebackers and two safeties and adding needed depth on both lines and other spots.
The Razorbacks lost out on some prime targets in the past couple of days, including receiver Tyrie Cleveland (Florida), running back Kyle Porter (Texas) and cornerback Kristian Fulton (LSU), as well as junior college cornerback commitment Joseph Putu, who flipped to Florida on Wednesday. Arkansas got its own flip this week from defensive lineman Jonathan Marshall of Shepherd, Texas, who was formerly committed to Oklahoma State.
The class included four immediate in-state signees -- defensive end Agim of Hope, defensive lineman Austin Capps of Star City, skill athlete Hammonds of Pulaski Robinson and receiver Jordan Jones of Smackover -- one of the lightest crops of Arkansas products for the Razorbacks in history. Offensive lineman Dylan Hays of Little Rock Christian also signed with the Razorbacks and will come aboard with a scholarship at some point, Bielema said.
"I was warned when I came in how cyclical Arkansas recruiting can be," Bielema said. "One of the things we really made a strong push on here is if we think a kid, even remotely, has a chance of helping us -- we went after a lot of preferred walk-ons, made them feel really good."
The day lacked last-minute signing excitement for Arkansas, but Bielema created a minor tempest in SEC circles with a comment he made on ESPNU about the recruiting by Florida, which beat the Razorbacks in some head-to-head battles.
"Certain things come out when you least expect it," Bielema said on ESPNU. "Now you got a couple teams like Florida, kind of the new Ole Miss, they're doing some things in recruiting that just kind of shocks you a little bit, but you gotta beat everybody on every day."
The remarks, a reference to Ole Miss' huge signing class of 2013 and its recruiting success under Coach Hugh Freeze, immediately stirred up responses. Bielema opened his comments to in-state media by saying those thoughts "came across in the wrong way I guess.
"I made reference that I was paying a compliment to Florida. We've seen them kind of pop up everywhere."
Bielema said he called Florida Coach Jim McElwain and Freeze to clarify the remarks and that they were well received and "I won't compliment anybody in the future as we move forward."
McElwain addressed the flap at his signing day news conference.
"I got a kick out of it a little bit because obviously this guy doesn't know who the heck I am," McElwain said. "I sure as heck don't know who he is. I'm not sure we even ran into him on the recruiting trail. But I know what I'm all about and I know what the University of Florida is all about."
Freeze told reporters at his news conference that he took Bielema's remarks as a compliment.
Arkansas' fourth class under Bielema included four players ranked in ESPN.com's top 300, led by Agim, a four-star signee who is ranked No. 11 overall and the No. 3 defensive end.
An early enrollee, Agim has already gotten in a handful of practices with the Razorbacks during preparations for the Liberty Bowl and is set to work in spring drills on campus.
"McTelvin Agim has proven to us he can play right away," Bielema said. "Where? We don't know."
Whaley, a 6-0, 210, is No. 70 in the ESPN rankings and the No. 6 tailback.
"I've recruited a lot of good running backs and he's as gifted as any of the ones I've recruited," Bielema said.
"I've had three or four freshmen come in and be 1,000-yard rushers. There's nothing that tells me anything different about this young man."
Guidry, 6-2, 286, is the only three-time all-state player at Archbishop Rummel High in Metairie, La., and No. 143 in ESPN's national rankings.
Hammonds, a 5-11, 195-pounder from Pulaski Robinson, will start his Arkansas career in the backfield, but he is also expected to train as a slot receiver and a return specialist.
"Just a really fun, engaging kid that I think can bring a lot to the table," Bielema said of Hammonds.
Bielema said Capps, who received his Arkansas offer as a sophomore, could probably play on either side of the ball and might not be ready for game action in 2016.
Jones, the first commitment of the class, camped at Arkansas as a sophomore and has posted a sub 4.4 time in the 40-yard dash.
"We made an offer, and as the rest of the SEC came in, he stood strong to everybody and I think he's going to be a very, very gifted athlete here who will compete right away for us," Bielema said.
The Razorbacks signed 10 offensive players, with Hays making 11, and 10 defensive players. Bielema said he could add as many as three more players to round out the class.
Sports on 02/04/2016