Arkansas hoping to steal DE Tyree WIlson from Texas A&M

Tyree Wilson

— One of the more important recruits left on the board for the new Arkansas football coaching staff left impressed after a weekend visit.

Texas A&M defensive end pledge and New London, Texas, West Rusk star Tyree Wilson (6-6, 235, 4.67) - who committed to current Razorback defensive coordinator John Chavis when he was with the Aggies - is now giving the Razorbacks a shot.

“It was way better than I thought it was going to be,” Wilson said. “The environment, it felt more like home than I thought it was going to be.

“It is going to make it a harder decision between Texas A&M and Arkansas.”

The fans at Arkansas’ basketball game on Saturday afternoon and at the Catfish Hole Saturday night made an impression on Wilson.

“They are into their football and their Razorbacks,” Wilson said. “It’s crazy.”

Wilson had a whopping 126 tackles with 5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and 5 recoveries this season.

Chavis has had 81 players taken in the NFL during his career and Wilson made it clear that he wants to follow in the footsteps of former Texas A&M star and current Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett.

“I am real familiar with the scheme and how he was at A&M,” Wilson said. “(He wants me to) do the same, have me come off the edge and get the sack record.”

Arkansas recently hired Steve Caldwell, who has worked with Chavis for 15 years, as its new defensive end coach.

“I heard he has done some great things with defensive ends,” Wilson said.

Wilson has added offers from Texas ad Florida this month, but does not have any other visits lined up so it is down to Texas A&M - who he committed to last June - and Arkansas.

His biggest surprise was simple and the same as his mom, who also made the trip.

“The environment feeling more like home,” Wilson said. “She was shocked also.”

Wilson looks like an NBA small forward so it’s no surprise that the basketball coach is mad he stuck to football.

“Real mad,” Wilson said.