RECRUITING: Twenty commitments not the end for Razorbacks

— Arkansas has been stuck on 20 oral commitments for a while now, but that could be changing in the coming days or weeks.

Arkansas is still looking for at least 2 defensive ends and maybe an interior defensive lineman, 2 or 3 linebackers, 1 or 2 cornerbacks and maybe a safety. Finding a tight end or 2 is a must as well as probably adding an offensive lineman. In addition, Arkansas would sign another wide receiver if he is a standout.

Arkansas had its 20 commitments lined up before the season started, its fastest start as far as securing early commitments.The group is broken down evenly with 10 from inside the state and 10 from out of the state.

Arkansas' commitment list includes 2 quarterbacks, 3 running backs, 5 wide receivers(counting Warren's Basmine Jones, who could play any number of positions) and 3 offensive linemen. The Razorbacks also have oral commitments from 2 defensive linemen, 1 linebacker and 4 in the secondary.

One wide receiver still on Arkansas' radar is Central Arkansas Christian's Joe Adams, 6-1, 178 pounds, 4.47 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Adams has orally committed to Southern California but did attend theKentucky game in Fayetteville and was slated to be at Arkansas' game Saturday night in Little Rock. New Arkansas assistant Tim Horton came in late, but has worked hard to make up any lost time with Adams. Adams could also play cornerback as well as help in the return game. Arkansas offensive line coach Mike Markuson has been recruiting Humboldt, Tenn., tight end E.J. Epperson, 6-4, 225, 4.5, from the start. He plans to make a decision shortly after his season ends.

Other tight ends on Arkansas' radar are Bowling Green (Ky.) High School's Ryan Wallace, 6-4, 217, 4.8, and Roswell (Ga.) Blessed Trinity's Ben Kopacka, 6-4 1 /2, 224, 4.7.

Two junior college defensive ends have Arkansas very high on their lists. One is Blinn (Texas) College's EmmanuelStephens, 6-3, 235, 4.5, who had 19 tackles and 4.5 sacks before Saturday's game. Stephens said this week Arkansas is his clear leader over Texas Tech, Kansas State and others, and look for him to orally commit as soon as his season is over if not before. Stephens is expected to enroll at Arkansas in January and go through spring drills.

Independence (Kan.) Community College's David Bedford, 6-5, 241, 4.7, is a second defensive who has Arkansas very high on his list of possible schools. Bedford is trying to graduate at midterm and join his fouryear school in January. Bedford is tied for third in the Jayhawk Conference with nine sacks in six games and is also third in tackles for loss with 12. Bedford is also third in conference with three forced fumbles.

A new name to Arkansas' listcould be LaVergne, Tenn., defensive end Collins Ukwu, 6-5, 217, 4.7. Ukwu had 87 tackles and nine sacks as a junior, but flew under the radar early on. Ukwu is now getting attention from Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech, Louisville, South Carolina, Memphis and others in addition to Arkansas' Markuson, who reportedly calls him on a regular basis.

Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College safety Melvin Williams, 6-0, 205, 4.55, is currently favoring Arkansas, Ole Miss and Clemson. Williams is from the same school as Randy Kelly, who started for parts of three seasons after coming to Arkansas. Coffeyville insiders say Williams is better than Kelly, and the Razorbacks are once again interested

At linebacker, one of the nation's best is in the Jayhawk Conference at Garden City (Kan.) Community College inJ.R. Bryant, 6-3, 228, 4.5. Bryant is looking hard at Arkansas, Kansas State, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Georgia and Auburn.

Arkansas might also be moving very close to gaining an oral pledge from Memphis Whitehaven linebacker Tenarius Wright, 6-2 1 /2, 225, 4.6. Wright attended the Kentucky game in Fayetteville and was scheduled to be at Arkansas' game Saturday night in Little Rock. Wright said he talked to Arkansas Coach Houston Nutt this week and liked what Nutt had to say. Horton is the lead recruiter on Wright. Tennessee, Memphis, Ole Miss and Mississippi State are also on Wright.

Arkansas is on many other recruits as well, and if the victories add up on the field this fall, then Feb. 6 could be a very pleasant day in Fayetteville.

Sports, Pages 38 on 10/07/2007

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