Smith emphasizing quality over quantity in '18 class

Arkansas receivers coach Michael Smith answers questions during the Razorbacks' annual media day on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2015, at Fred W. Smith Center in Fayetteville.

— With limited scholarships for the 2018 class, Arkansas assistant coach Michael Smith has to be judicious with his recruiting.

Smith, who has done yeomen’s work for the Razorbacks in Louisiana the last few recruiting cycles, is concentrating more on quality than quantity.

“I am in a holding pattern,” Smith said. “I have got some guys that I think we could go after and if we pressed them we could probably get them to jump in, but again with the numbers where they are, not only at the wide receiver position, but with the whole recruiting class, we have got to make sure we are getting the right guys for us.”

Arkansas is likely to sign only one wide receiver in the 2018 class with only Jared Cornelius set to graduate for coach Bret Bielema.

“I told Coach B that I am going to really scrutinize the wide receivers that I am going after this year because we have got to have the right guy,” Smith said. “We only lose Jared next year so I want a guy that is going come in and be able to fit in that room like everybody I recruit.

“We might go after a guy that has a speciality, just depends on what Coach wants to do after he and I sit down and talk about it. I am going to get the right guy. I am going to get the guy that is going to come here and be a smart football player, a good person, all those cliche-ish things. That is what I want.”

The limited numbers in the 2018 class has allowed Smith and Arkansas to get a head start on a loaded 2019 class in the state and elsewhere.

The Razorbacks have offered four in-state prospects in the 2019 class with Warren wide receiver Treylon Burks (6-foot-3, 190 pounds), Jonesboro offensive lineman Darius Thomas (6-6, 290), Pulaski Academy tight end Hudson Henry (6-5, 225) and ultra-fast Bentonville West wide receiver Jadon Jackson (6-2, 170).

That compares with just three instate offers so far in the 2018 class in quarterback commit Connor Noland of Greenwood, Ashdown wide receiver LaDarius Bishop (6-0, 195) and Earle quarterback/athlete Gerry Bohanon (6-4, 220).

“As far the 2019 class is concerned, we have had a really good evaluation, same with the ’18,” Smith said. “We are going really evaluate this class hard because we don’t have those numbers so we have to get the right fit.”

Several of those prospects as well as some 2017 signees are expected to be on hand for Saturday’s Red-White game, which is scheduled to begin at noon at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

“It’s awesome because these kids get to see what the University of Arkansas and what our football program really has to offer, and we get to spend a little bit more time with them because it is not game week,” Smith said.

It helps that Arkansas is the last of the 14 SEC teams to have its spring game, which will be televised by the SEC Network.

“It has been a plus for us and I really think …with our spring game being the last spring game that we will get a lot of kids from all over the country to get here to see it,” Smith said.

The Razorbacks have hosted recruits the past four Saturdays with those prospects being able to see the construction going on to renovate the north end zone.

“Some times that get to see the plans that we have drawn up for it, but I don’t think they understand how massive our complex is going to be, which I don’t have a real good grasp on it either because until its up, it is just a big old hole,” Smith said.

“I do know this, when it is done and it is finished, it is going to be one of the most premier and unique facilities in the country.”