The Recruiting Guy

Hogs in lead for 2020 defensive prospect

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CHARLIE KAIJO Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Chad Morris calls directions to his players during the third quarter a football game, Friday, November 23, 2018 at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo.

Arkansas leads for one of the top defensive prospects in the nation.

Junior linebacker Martavius French said his relationship with Coach Chad Morris and assistant to the head coach SJ Tuohy has the Hogs in the lead in his recruitment.

"Coach Morris checks on me almost every other two days," French said. "Even SJ, he checks on me. They're my number one choice right now."

French (6-2, 236 pounds, 4.7 seconds in the 40-yard dash) of Memphis Whitehaven narrowed his list of schools down to Arkansas, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, LSU, Oklahoma, Florida and Purdue on Tuesday.

ESPN rates him the No. 17 outside linebacker and No. 263 overall prospect in the nation. He visited for the Alabama game and has plans to visit Fayetteville this spring.