The Recruiting Guy

Family atmosphere reassuring for O-line pledge

ESPN 4-star offensive lineman Luke Brown during his March 5 visit to Arkansas.

Arkansas offensive line commitment Luke Brown officially visited his future home and sensed a family atmosphere during his trip last weekend. 

"This visit has been great,” said Brown, who was one of nine official visitors. “We've had a lot of good people. Lots of meeting recruits, other people committed and just being around the staff all weekend. Great family atmosphere. It's just good to be here with a bunch of commitments.”

Brown, 6-6, 312 pounds, of Paris (Tenn.) Henry County, picked the Razorbacks over 27 other scholarship offers from schools such as Georgia, Auburn, Louisville, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Florida State, Tennessee and Mississippi State. 

He privately committed to Sam Pittman and Arkansas offensive line coach Cody Kennedy during the Razorbacks’ open football practice on April 16. Brown went public three days later. 

The trip gave him an opportunity to recruit ESPN 4-star offensive linemen Madden Sanker and Connor Stroh while also being reassured about his pledge. 

"Plenty of new things,” said Brown of his commitment. “Just being around them seeing how genuine the people are.”

ESPN rates him the No. 18 offensive tackle and No. 219 overall prospect in the nation. He also shines in the classroom with a 3.94 grade point average.

Brown could graduate in December and enroll at Arkansas in January.

Going to Pittman’s house highlighted his trip.

“Going swimming, playing some games with them and just having a good time," Brown said.

He believes playing for Pittman and Kennedy is a win-win.

"Having Coach Pittman on the staff, especially at that position, is really big because he's one of the best guys in the business for offensive linemen,” Brown said. “Just having the opportunity to play under him and someone who has learned from him most of his career, Coach Kennedy, is just a great opportunity."