Junior college defensive lineman Phil Hoskins was hoping to make an unofficial visit for the Arkansas-Texas State game on Saturday, but had to postpone until later in the season.
Hoskins, a Kentucky commitment, recorded 25 tackles, 4 sacks and 8 tackles for loss as a freshman at Highland (Kan.) Community College. He's redshirting this season after having shoulder surgery and will have three years to play three at the next level.
"I've always liked Arkansas," said Hoskins, who attended Whitmer High School in Toledo, Ohio. "They were recruiting me out of high school. I kind of started liking their program since my junior year and ever since then kept an eye out for them and then when they finally started talking to me this year, it was nice."
Hoskins, 6-5, 280 pounds, has approximately 15 scholarship offers, including schools like Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Colorado and Houston.
Hoskins said he'll probably make an unofficial and an official visit to Fayetteville.
"I'm excited because they were my favorite team other than Ohio State," he said. "I just liked the way they played, I liked the school, I liked the stadium and the uniforms."
Hoskins said two of his teammates, punter Ethan Thomas and and offensive lineman Tariq Parkins, hope to accompany Hoskins on a trip to Fayetteville.
Coach Bret Bielema and defensive line coach Rory Segrest, in particular, have been in contact with Hoskins.
"Basically all the coaches, I guess you can say," Hoskins said. "That means a lot honestly."
MUNSON MASHES
Arkansas safety commitment Derrick Munson had a strong junior season, and he's started off his senior season much the same.
Munson, who played safety as a sophomore, played linebacker as a junior and was named Defensive Player of the Year on The New Orleans Advocate's All -Metro Team for larger schools after recording a team-high 158 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 6 sacks and 2 interceptions.
Munson, 6-0, 195, 4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash, plays for Metairie (La.) Rummel High School and has 31 tackles, 3 interceptions at linebacker while returning 3 punts for 23 yards for the 2-0 Raiders going into Saturday's game against Wayne County of Waynesboro, Miss.
"He's picked up where he's left off," Rummel Coach Jay Roth said. "I'm not saying he's reckless, but he just plays so physical. He's got a presence on the field. Everybody knows he's out there. Whether it's returning kicks, returning punts or playing defense."
Munson averaged 12.1 tackles in 13 games for Rummel, Louisiana's Division I state runner-ups. Should Rummel make it back to the state championship game and Munson continues on his current pace, he would have 201.5 tackles at the end of the season.
Roth said there's several factors for Munson's ability to make plays.
"That's instinctive, that's intensity," Roth said. "He understands the game. He's very coachable. He just has that presence out there."
The Hogs already have three former Rummel players on the roster: junior cornerback Henre Toliver, junior linebacker Dwayne Eugene and freshman defensive lineman Briston Guidry.
Roth said opponents are aware of Munson's location on the field because of his physical style.
"Everybody has their head on a swivel," Roth said. "He's like Briston Guidry covering kicks for us. Of course, he was 270 pounds running down field. Derrick isn't that big, but everybody knows not to get into his way, and he plays defense like that. He plays defense like he's covering kicks every play."
E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 09/16/2016