The Recruiting Guy

With holes in mind, Hogs entertain JUCO players

Arkansas inside linebackers coach Vernon Hargreaves watches warmups prior to a game against South Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, in Columbia, S.C.

Based off of the depth chart for the Missouri game that was released Monday, the Arkansas Razorbacks will return 10 of 11 starters on offense and 7 of 11 starters on defense next season.

The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville is set to return 69 percent of the rushing yardage, 48 percent of the passing yardage and 82 percent of the receiving yardage on offense, while defensively the Hogs will return 75 percent of their tackling.

The Razorbacks hosted five junior-college prospects over the weekend for official visits in hopes of adding immediate help to positions of need. Four of the five visitors were on the defensive side of the ball, including linebackers Davion Taylor and Will Honas.

Taylor, 6-4, 213 pounds, 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale, Miss, officially visited and committed to Colorado in June, but he formed a strong bond with outside linebackers coach Chad Walker during his weekend visit to Fayetteville.

"I liked mostly everything, the coaches, the facilities and the town ... it's easy to get around and the food is amazing," Taylor said. "The interviews with the coaches went real good, and my position coach is great. He has a lot of energy, and I love the way he coaches. He has a lot of knowledge about the game, and I believe he can make me a better person and player."

GridironRR.com rates Taylor the No. 12 middle linebacker in junior college.

He and the other visitors watched the Hogs basketball team defeat Fresno State 83-75 on Friday night.

"One thing that stood out to me was the fans and the energy they bring to the school," Taylor said. "I went to a basketball game and they was playing a non-SEC school and there were a lot of fans there, and they brought a lot of energy there. It just felt like a great place to be."

Taylor has 87 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 2 recovered fumbles, an interception and 3 pass breakups in nine games this season.

He plans to graduate in December and will have three years to play two. Taylor also plans to officially visit Ole Miss, Missouri and Vanderbilt.

Honas, 6-2, 225, 4.6 in the 40-yard dash, of Butler (Kan.) Community College has offers from Arkansas, Iowa, Ole Miss, California, Kansas State and others. Bielema believes he can be an impact player for the Hogs.

"He just talked about his experience playing and coaching and how he liked my film and thinks I can come in and make an impact if I play there," said Honas, who has three years to play two.

GridironRR.com rates Honas the No. 5 middle linebacker in the junior-college ranks. He said he likes the way he would be used as a Hog.

"The type of defense they run ... I love to blitz and make big plays and the position they want me playing will give me that opportunity," Honas said.

He recorded 84 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 interceptions and a pass breakup in 10 games this season.

"It was nice to meet all the coaches in person," Honas said. "Really enjoyed talking to Coach Bielema. The atmosphere at the game was cool. Facilities were impressive."

He's expected to graduate in December and enroll at his new school in January. He plans to take his other four official visits before making a decision.

"Iowa, Kansas State and two more I haven't decided on," Honas said.

Other visits

The Hogs also hosted safety Aaron Maddox, 6-2, 192, 4.46 in the 40-yard dash, of Pima Community College in Tucson, Ariz., and the Arizona Western College duo of offensive tackle Jahmir Johnson, 6-6, 290, and defensive tackle Noah Jefferson, 6-6, 320, for visits.

GridironRR.com rates Maddox the No. 1 safety, Johnson the No. 2 offensive lineman, and Jefferson the No. 2 defensive tackle for junior colleges.

Email Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports on 11/21/2017