Arkansas' recruiting efforts, led by defensive line coach Rory Segrest, has helped increase highly regarded linebacker Thomas Johnston's interest in the Razorbacks.
"They're probably recruiting me the hardest out of everybody right now," Johnston said. "I plan on taking a visit at the beginning of the summer."
Johnston, 6-2, 220, 4.78 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Spanish Fort (Ala.) High School has scholarship offers from schools like Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Oregon, Iowa, LSU, Louisville and North Carolina State among others.
"I've grown in my interest in Arkansas since the last couple of months with the way they've been recruiting me," Johnston said. "I just want to clear things up on my visit and everything and see how I like it in person."
The Razorbacks have included Johnston's parents in the recruiting process.
"They send me written letters, they even send letters to my parents and talk about me and how much they want me," Johnston said.
Segrest's desire to land Johnston has been backed by words to others in the local area.
"I've heard from other coaches from other teams around here that he's talking big about me and telling them he wants me bad," Johnston said.
Johnston, rated by ESPN as the No. 16 inside linebacker in the nation, is playmaking machine for the Toros. He recorded 143 tackles, 3 sacks, 18 tackles for loss and 2 forced fumbles as a sophomore and 147 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 12 pass breakups, 3 interceptions and a fumble recovery as a junior.
Brendt Bedsole, an assistant coach at the school, worked with Segrest while on the staff at Samford.
"Coach Bedsole has told me all the time that he's big fan of him," Johnston said. "They're really good family friends and he loves him to death."
Johnston may be accompanied by a former Razorback when he travels to Fayetteville for a visit. His father is good friends with Dean Peavey, who played defensive back for Arkansas from 1990-1994.
"He's wanting us to get up there pretty soon," Johnston said. "I think he's going to take the visit with us."
Oregon is one of several other schools Johnston is planning to visit this summer.
"My grandparents said they may fly me out to Oregon because my grandmother's sister is out there," he said. "I want to go to N.C. State, Duke, Clemson. They've been recruiting me hard."
Lineman shows interest
Offensive lineman Stephan Zabie is short on experience on the gridiron, but isn't short on scholarship offers despite playing just one season.
Zabie, 6-6, 295 pounds of Austin (Texas) Westlake has offers from Arkansas, Texas A&M, Florida, Southern Cal, Oklahoma, Oregon and Missouri among others.
"The process has been new to me," Zabie said. "It's like an everyday new thing, just learning. I'm not rushing on a commitment or anything. I'm being patient and staying focused with what's going on with the football team."
As a freshman, he attended Elkton (Md.) Eastern Christian Academy and played football, but didn't see any action. He and his family moved to Dallas during the second semester.
After moving to Austin his sophomore year, he was forced to sit out a season because of transfer rules. His athleticism and quick feet slowly got the attention of college coaches.
"My first few games weren't great games, but I learned and saw the physicality you have to have especially to play my position on the O-line," Zabie said.
Zabie talked with Arkansas offensive line coach Kurt Anderson and learned of the Razorbacks offer May 5.
"I have a great interest in them," Zabie said. "I feel like they want to build something great over there, especially on the O-line and from what I'm hearing from the coach. I definitely want to look into it. It's not too far away from home and they're in the SEC. That's where I want to play. I want to play in the SEC."
He doesn't have a time frame for his college decision.
Email Richard Davenport at
rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 05/13/2016