LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas wrapped up what could be one of the best recruiting classes in school history Wednesday and is being recognized nationally by several recruiting services.
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The addition of highly coveted defensive lineman DeQuinta "DD" Jones of Bastrop, La., helped the class significantly. Jones, 6-4, 302 pounds, 4.92 seconds in the 40-yard dash, committed to Michigan last summer but tookofficial visits to Arkansas, Tennessee, Michigan and Auburn before signing with the Razorbacks.
The Hogs' class is ranked No. 15 by Tom Lemming of CBS College Sports and No. 15 by Rivals.com. Scout.com rates the class No. 19, while ESPN places Arkansas' class at No. 18.
"It's an outstanding class," said Lemming, who has covered national recruiting for more than 30 years. "They helped themselves at every single position. I think it's the type of class thatcould really get Arkansas to the top of the conference in a few years. It's exciting, athletic."
The Hogs signed two recruits rated among Lemming's Top 100 nationally: Helena-West Helena Central cornerback Darius Winston, a five-star recruit and the No. 41 prospect overall, and St. Louis University High School running back Ronnie Wingo, a four-star recruit and the No. 92 prospect overall.
SEC teams dominated Lemming's top 10 with LSU comingin No. 1, Alabama No. 5, South Carolina No. 7, Georgia No. 8 and Florida No. 9.
Arkansas used an aggressive approach toward recruiting and didn't back down from the top programs in the nation.
"One aspect about this group that we like is that every person that we signed had other options at other BCS schools, including many in the SEC and Big 12," said Tim Horton, Arkansas' recruiting coordinator. "We think in order to beat an opponent on the field, we mustwin our share of recruiting battles against quality opponents."
Arkansas' signees in the secondary might be one of the main reasons for the team's high ranking. Lemming rates Winston, 6-0, 175, 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash, as a five-star recruit and Tulsa East Central cornerback David Gordon, 6-0, 175, 4.4; Butler (Kan.) Community College cornerback Rudell Crim, 5-11, 190, 4.37; and College of the Sequoias safety Anthony Leon, 6-4, 230, 4.42, as four-star recruits.
Arkansas' defensive backs are ranked No. 1 in the nation while the offensive line is ranked eighth by Rivals.com.
Lemming also credited the Hogs' efforts in two bordering states for their high ranking, noting that the Razorbacks pulled seven players out of Texas.
"They've done a very good job in Texas," Lemming said. "I see that improving every year with this staff. Plus, they signed four very good players out of Oklahoma."
Sports, Pages 67 on 02/05/2009