Lufkin High School in Texas has the potential to be a pipeline for the University of Arkansas over the next two years with senior defensive tackle Carl Williams being a current Razorback commitment.
Williams, 6-4, 324 pounds, pledged to the Hogs on July 3 over scholarship offers from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Minnesota, Houston and others.
The Razorbacks have also extended offers to two highly regarded junior prospects at Lufkin in safety Jerrin Thompson and receiver Ja'Lynn Polk. Williams has urged his teammates to take a hard look at the Hogs.
"The atmosphere up there is amazing," Williams said.
Associate head coach and running backs coach Jeff Traylor has strong east Texas ties, which includes winning three state championships as the coach at Gilmer from 2000-14. Offensive analyst GJ Kinne also has ties to the area.
"They'll make you feel at home," Williams said.
Arkansas hasn't slacked off from staying in touch with Williams since his commitment, with Coach Chad Morris and Traylor reaching out.
"The communication is very good," Williams said. "I was on the phone with Coach Morris and coach Traylor the other night. We talked for a little bit. They're always keeping in touch and I'm always keeping in touch."
Williams, who has a 360-pound bench press, 655-pound squat and a 640-pound dead lift, said two of his fellow commitments -- Mataio Soli, a defensive end, and receiver T.Q. Jackson -- lead the future Razorbacks in a group chat on a regular basis.
"We contact each other a lot," Williams said. "We talk to each other a lot, all of the commitments, about how we can make a big, big improvement when we get there. We're going to work hard."
Thompson, 6-0, 182 pounds, recorded 105 tackles -- 5 for loss -- 4 interceptions, 7 pass breakups, 4 forced fumbles and 2 recovered fumbles as a sophomore. He's a head-hunter type at his position.
"I just like hitting," Thompson said. "It's part of the game. I just love football. I just go tackle. You can't be soft playing football."
He has scholarship offers from Arkansas, Baylor, SMU, Oklahoma, Penn State, Virginia Tech South Florida, Vanderbilt and others. The Hogs were his first offer and he'll never forget that.
"That kind of means a lot to me," Thompson said. "I appreciate they did that."
Thompson plans to visit Fayetteville at some point.
"Carl said it was great when he was on his visit," Thompson said.
Polk, 6-2, 185, 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash, received an offer from the Hogs on July 18 to go along with one from Illinois and a recent one from Southern Miss. Knowing Williams will be in Fayetteville makes the Hogs very attractive.
"Most definitely," Polk said. "I like what he tells me."
Speed isn't an issue with Polk, who has a best of 22.3 seconds in the 200 meters while also running legs on the 4x100 meter and the 4x200 relays. He's looking to make his way to Arkansas.
"I know most definitely when I get a chance," Polk said. "I'm going to make my way down there."
Polk, who recorded 40 receptions for 667 yards and 6 touchdowns as a sophomore, said Traylor and Arkansas coaches make him highly interested in the Hogs.
"I love the coaches, the way they show love," Polk said. "Always checking up on me and making sure I'm OK."
He likes his team to look to him to make the big plays.
"I'm the type receiver that when my time comes, you can count on me ...," Polk said.
Email Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 10/07/2018