While Arkansas’ football program is trying to take another step forward at Auburn on Saturday, one of its future quarterbacks will actually be in Fayetteville for his first look at his college destination.
San Antonio (Texas) Cornerstone Christian Academy quarterback Lucas Coley (6-2, 205), one of numerous Razorback 2021 pledges hoping to enroll early, and his mom, Deborah, are visiting Arkansas this weekend.
“I am looking forward to checking out everything,” Coley said. “I love the coaches and believe in what they are doing to get things turned around and do it quickly.”
Coley has felt the love from Arkansas fans via social media and will likely see it in person this weekend from fans as he takes in Fayetteville.
“The Arkansas fan base is insane on Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok, you name it,” Coley said. “It is crazy the amount of love and support the Arkansas players and coaches get.”
Coley is likely to run into Arkansas Super Fan Canaan Sandy and his mom Ginger.
The pair were planning to see Coley play in Dallas last Friday, but his game was canceled when the opponent backed out due to covid-19 issues.
They settled for a face-timing session with Sandy via phone instead.
“Canaan and his mom are a huge part of the Arkansas fan base,” Coley said. “I didn’t know he was actually in the ESPN Hall of Fame. Having fans that back you like that, it just gives you even more of a reason to go out there and ball out on Saturday.”
Coley is one of 10 Razorback commitments who have expressed interest in enrolling in January and getting a jump on their freshman years with the Razorbacks.
Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman believes last Saturday’s 21-14 win over No. 16 Mississippi State is resonating with recruits.
“I think it’s huge for our team,” Pittman said. “I think it’s huge for the season. Obviously, I think recruits will look at that and say, ‘Hey, I kind of wanted to go to Arkansas.’ Well, now we’ve kind of given them a reason to come on.”
Coley, who skipped a grade along the way, echoes that sentiment.
“I think we are all so excited about the future at Arkansas and all looking forward to getting there as soon as we can and getting to work,” Coley said. “You can just feel that this is the start of something really special.”
Pittman is sure of one thing.
“We’ll find out how well it helps us in the recruiting,” Pittman said “…It certainly didn’t hurt us. I can tell you that.”
Some of the other Arkansas offensive pledges considering enrolling early are Wynne offensive lineman Terry Wells (6-5, 306), a pair of Texas prep wide receivers in Ketron Jackson (6-2, 186) of Royse City and Jaedon Wilson (6-3, 173) of Desoto, Oklahoma City John Marshall wide receiver Bryce Stephens (6-1, 165), Oklahoma City Carl Albert tailback Javion Hunt (6-0, 205) and receiver Raheim “Rocket” Sanders (6-2, 212) of Rockledge, Fla.
Razorback 2021 defensive commits who are considering being early enrollees are Jonesboro linebacker Marco Avant (6-3, 212), Kansas City, Mo., Lincoln Prep linebacker-safety Jermaine Hamilton-Jordan (6-1, 195) and Crisp County, Ga., Cordale linebacker Christopher Paul (6-1, 235).
“I feel like with enrolling early we will get a head start on all the other freshman walking in,” Avant said. “We’ll get more time to learn the play book and get accustomed with the lifestyle In general.”