The only problem with signing an excellent recruiting class one season is that it can have somewhat of a chilling affect the next year, particularly when a class is heavy at a particular position.

Last November, the Razorbacks signed guards Rotnei Clarke (6-1, 180 ) of Claremore, Okla., and Courtney Fortson (5-11, 175 ) of Mobile, Ala., to help shore up the point guard spot as well as an issue with outside shooting that has been a sore spot with the Razorbacks dating back to Nolan Richardson's last season.

The Hogs need both of the guards and if they are as gifted as they have been touted to be, both should see playing time for the Hogs who lost a host of seniors from last year's squad.

However, by adding those two young men to established guards Stefan Welsh and Patrick Beverley, who have two more seasons left to play, the Razorbacks have a log jam of sorts at guards.

That situation, no doubt, played a role in Fayetteville High guard Fred Gulley's decision to make an oral commitment to Oklahoma State a few weeks ago.

While it would have been great to see the hometown product wear a Razorbacks uniform, one can't argue with his decision. OSU and Arkansas have comparable programs at this juncture, and Gulley's avenue to quick playing has fewer obstacles in Stillwater than in his own hometown.

A similar situation brought Quinn Grovey to Arkansas where he quarterbacked Ken Hatfield's Razorbacks to two Southwest Conference championships.

Grovey, a native of Edmond, Okla., grew up wanting to be an Oklahoma Sooner, but if he had gone to Norman, he could have spent two-thirds of his career playing behind Jamelle Holloway, one of the most gifted option magicians ever.

Gulley's early commitment to the Cowboys also takes some of the onus off Razorbacks coach John Pelphrey. Like all Razorbacks coaches, Pelphrey is expected by fans to not only recruit but gain the signatures of the state's top Division I athletes.

However, as Gulley obviously noticed, the Razorbacks have greater needs elsewhere in their upcoming recruiting class than point or combo guard. If all goes well with Clarke and Fortson, the Razorbacks need big men and maybe a gifted 6-6, 6-7 swing player more than another smallish guard, no matter how talented he may be.

Now, if Gulley somehow changes his mind before November's early signing period and decides he wants to be a Hog, Pelphrey would probably find a place for him if he has a scholarship available, but fans shouldn't hold much hope of that happening.

While I have no doubt Gulley could be a fine player for the Razorbacks if that were his choice, one of the worst things for a program is to be forced into recruiting player just for perception's sake.

Remember Jason Jennings. The 7-footer from Bald Knob wasn't a good fit for Nolan Richardson's Razorbacks program and Richard- son knew it, but if he had not recruited and signed the 7-footer fans would have had a fit.

But in hindsight, it would have been better for Jennings, who wound up transferring to Arkansas State, and Arkansas if they had both looked in another direction from the beginning.

Sometimes a young man's best opportunity to continue his athletic career is out of state. And sometimes, it's the best thing for the Razorbacks, too.

Terry J. Wood is the sports editor of the Northwest Arkansas Times.