Razorbacks use spring to help with 2020 recruiting push

Arkansas coach Chad Morris is shown during the Razorbacks' spring game Saturday, April 6, 2019, in Fayetteville.

— Arkansas coaches have been busy prepping their 2019 squad for Saturday's Red-White game, but they have also used the spring to gather four 2020 commitments and get a lot of prospects on campus.

They had some 50-plus prospects on Saturday, including Texas A&M graduate-transfer quarterback Nick Starkel, five official visitors a a bevy of high school and junior college standouts in the 2020-22 classes.

The latest commitment came after the Red-White game from Austin (Texas) Westlake wide receiver Mason Mangrum (5-11, 171 pounds).

“We ain't got enough time to talk about recruiting right now because I could talk about it all day long, but I think we're definitely on track,” Arkansas coach Chad Morris said. “I'm excited about where the 2020 class is going. We've got a lot of work to do.”

The Razorbacks’ three other 2020 pledges are Jonesboro defensive end Jashaud Stewart (6-2, 224); Alpharetta, Ga.. Denmark wide receiver Ze’Vian Capers (6-4, 200); and New Orleans Edna Karr cornerback Jamie “Greedy” Vance (5-11, 170), who is on his official visit this weekend.

The Razorbacks’ official four official visitors this weekend are the Lufkin, Texas, duo of wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk (6-2, 185) and safety Jerrin Thompson (6-0, 172); Carthage, Texas, athlete Kelvontay Dixon (6-0, 173); and Carrollton (Texas) Hebron safety Darius Snow (6-2, 215), the son of former Michigan State star and NBA player Eric Snow.

“Our recruits, we’ve got a lot of recruits on campus,” Morris said. “To see the environment today, see our fans (10,064 fans) and just join all the activities on campus...it was a special day.”

Morris noted his staff will be able to get out on the road recruiting beginning April 15.

“We've got a lot of work ahead of us, a lot of long hours and lot of video to be watched, practices to be seen and coaches needed to be talked to,” Morris said. “That 2020 class definitely is a huge priority.”

Twelve of the 2019 signees were able to go through spring practice as early enrollees.

Players like junior college offensive linemen Myron Cunningham and Chibueze Nwanna, wide receivers Trey Knox (3 catches, 57 yards with a 45-yard touchdown) and Shamar Nash, and defensive backs Devin Bush (55-yard interception for a touchdown) and Greg Brooks were praised for their play in Saturday’s Red-White game.

Ben Hicks, a graduate-transfer quarterback from SMU, is battling for the starting nod this season with Starkel, who has two years of eligibility remaining. Hicks led Arkansas' first offense on Saturday while going 8-of-18 for 100 yards and a touchdown.

“I felt like I did what I was suppose to do, come in and help the growth and the maturity of this offense, use my knowledge and experience to help these guys,” Hicks said. “You saw all of our quarterbacks just continue to get better throughout the spring, all of us.

“I have been really happy to see that and I think the guys have taken pride in getting better and gaining knowledge of this offense, so I have been really proud of how the rest of the quarterbacks have performed and how they have prepared to."

The Razorbacks can still add a couple of more transfers if they choose to do so. Morris is thinking of adding linebacker and secondary depth.