The Recruiting Guy

334-pound Texan considers trip to Fayetteville

ESPN rates Chuck Filiaga the No. 16 offensive tackle in the nation.

ALEDO, Texas -- Arkansas offensive line coach Kurt Anderson is working hard to get a visit from offensive tackle Chuck Filiaga, who's considering a trip to Fayetteville.

"My relationship with coach Anderson and them is strong," Filiaga said. "I talk to the Arkansas coaches, I think almost every week. I really do like Arkansas, and I'm really considering them and their offensive style."

Filiaga, 6-7, 334 pounds, of Aledo, has more than 30 scholarship offers, but recently he announced in no order a top 10 of Arkansas, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, TCU, Tennessee, Texas and Southern Cal. He plans to take all five of his official visits.

Several NFL coaches have lamented Spread offenses in college football for producing offensive linemen without the proper techniques and fundamentals to play at the next level. Filiaga is aware of the Hogs' pro-style offense.

"I haven't watched a game yet, but I've seen glimpses and pieces of plays, and I can definitely see they run the same schemes as the NFL," Filiaga said. "I definitely feel like Arkansas can prepare me if I do go to Arkansas."

Filiaga has been discussing a trip to Fayetteville with Anderson, but a firm date hasn't been set.

"I've been talking to the coaches, and I've been talking to my mom as well," Filiaga said. "Next month is kind of packed. I know I went to Ole Miss [unofficial visit] this past weekend. I was going to go to Arkansas on my way back, but I was tired and my brother was tired, and it was a nine-hour drive back and my brother said, 'Let's just go straight back and we'll come back if we have to,' and I said all right.

"I definitely do want to get out to Arkansas to see the campus and see what they have to offer me, and definitely meet the coaches and experience the atmosphere and understand what they're all about."

ESPN rates Filiaga a four-star prospect, the No. 16 offensive tackle and the No. 139 overall prospect. He has bench pressed 335 pounds with a 445-pound squat.

He moved to Texas from Vista Murrieta, Calif., in June, and Aledo Coach Steve Wood couldn't be happier.

"He's such a massive human being and so powerful that if he gets his body and his hands on somebody, there's very few high school ballplayers he doesn't have his way with," Wood said. "He's got a great attitude, he wants to learn, he's hungry, he takes to coaching.

"It's always, 'Yes sir. He's always got a smile on his face, always happy. He's a fun kid to be around."

One of the bigger adjustments to life in Texas was the heat and humidity.

"Words can't even describe how hot it was my first time here," Filiaga said.

Arkansas offensive lineman Frank Ragnow described Anderson as a "combination of a weirdo, a comedian and a genius." Filiaga is a free spirit, too.

"During practice, you have to be serious sometimes, you got to know when to stop playing around," Filiaga said. "Then there's certain times when everybody is doing good, you have to lighten up the mood and just have fun."

Meet the future

Arkansas fans attending the Alcorn State game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock on Saturday will have a chance to see the five 16-under Arkansas Hawks who have made oral commitments to Arkansas' basketball program.

The commitments will conduct a workout 30 minutes after the game at the War Memorial Fitness Center located next to the stadium on the east side.

"It will give the Hog fans an opportunity to come and see what the future looks like, and the fans show them some love and show them what the Razorback Nation and spirit is all about," Arkansas Hawks founder and Coach Bill Ingram said.

Two of the Hawks -- forwards Reggie Perry, 6-10, 225 pounds, of Thomasville, Ga., and Ethan Henderson, 6-9, 190, of Little Rock Parkview -- are rated the No. 9 and No. 43 prospects in the nation by hoopseen.com for the Class of 2018. ESPN rates guard Isaiah Joe, 6-2, 160, of Fort Smith Northside, a four-star prospect.

Guard Desi Sills, 6-1, 170, of Jonesboro and point guard Justice Hill, 5-11, 160, of Little Rock Christian, are 2019 commitments who round out the Hawks' lineup.

Ingram will conduct a news conference with the five Hawks at 2:30 p.m. Friday at a yet to be determined location. The Hawks also will attend the game.

"They'll be walking around before the game visiting tailgates and saying 'Hi' to folks and taking pictures," Ingram said.

Email Richard Davenport atrdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports on 09/25/2016