The Recruiting Guy

Another Mississippi OL 'very interested' in UA

Offensive tackle D'Marcus Hayes received an offer from the Hogs.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College offensive lineman D'Marcus Hayes is the latest prospect to be offered a scholarship by Arkansas.

Hayes, 6-6, 315 pounds, received the offer from the Razorbacks on Monday after talking to receivers coach Michael Smith. Florida also offered the same day to go along with offers from Auburn, Louisville, Mississippi State, South Florida, Iowa State and others.

He said he's "very interested" in large part because of what he's heard from Arkansas tight end signee Grayson Gunter, who was teammates with Hayes at Madison (Miss.) Central.

"He's been telling me it would be fun to team up again and it would be a good look for the both of us to continue our football careers together at Arkansas and playing in the SEC," Hayes said.

Hayes, who has a 340-pound bench press, said Smith talked highly of offensive line coach Kurt Anderson.

"He talked about how he thought Arkansas had one of the best offensive line coaches in the nation," Hayes said. "They're definitely in consideration."

Arkansas has also offered Mississippi Gulf Coast CC receivers Jonathan Nance, 6-1, 181, 4.44 40-yard dash, Brandon Martin, 6-4, 220, 4.37, and defensive end Isaiah Buggs, 6-5, 280.

All four plan to visit Fayetteville and Hayes might visit with his teammates or with his parents during the summer.

Gunter thinks highly of his former teammate and his future school.

"I think D'Marcus has the chance to be an elite offensive linemen at the college level," Gunter said. "I've been telling him that there is no better place in the country for an offensive linemen than Arkansas."

Hayes admits having a comfort level with the Razorbacks because of Gunter.

Although outgoing and personable, Hayes said he's not one to venture out much.

"It depends on my surroundings," Hayes said. "Mostly while I'm here I've usually kept to myself and stay in my room unless I'm with my teammates. That's about the only time you'll see me out somewhere else."

When he visits Fayetteville or other schools, he's looking for a home feeling, checking out the city and area near the school.

Hayes plans to major in sports administration and wants to eventually work with the Mississippi High School Activities Association.

"I want to come back to Mississippi and try and work with the kids," Hayes said.

Forward enjoys visit

Junior forward Jared Ridder returned to Fayetteville for the second time in about three weeks for an unofficial visit April 28.

He made a quick visit to check out the Hogs' new practice facility April 10 after competing in a Northwest Arkansas basketball tournament.

Ridder, 6-7, 195 pounds, of Springfield (Mo.) Kickapoo didn't have a scholarship offer from the Hogs on his first trip, but received one from Coach Mike Anderson during an in-home visit April 18.

He was able to get a more in-depth visit, touring the campus and the new Jerry and Gene Jones Family Student-Athlete Success Center with assistant Matt Zimmer.

"He just took me around the whole campus and showed me some key spots like the Jones center and got to talk to the academic people there," Ridder said.

Ridder also has offers from Oklahoma State, DePaul, Stetson, Missouri State, Lehigh and others. His parents liked what they experienced on his second visit.

"They thought it felt like a home atmosphere there," Ridder said. "They just really liked everything at Arkansas."

Ridder, who plans to announce his decision at the end of the summer, said the Hogs are one of his main schools of interest.

Email Richard Davenport at

rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports on 05/06/2016