THE RECRUITING GUY: Website informs, intrigues out-of-state prospects

— The Internet is becoming more and more of a recruiting tool for schools across the country, including Arkansas. The Razorbacks launched thisisarkansasfootball.com on July 1, 2009, to help educate recruits about the football program and university.

Several prospects have praised the site, including Scottsdale (Ariz.) Saguaro offensive guard Cyrus Hobbi, who’s considered by several recruiting services as one of the premier recruits in the nation.

“It basically has everything you would want to know about Arkansas football,” said Hobbi, who is being recruited by offensive line coach Chris Klenakis. “It shows a lot of pictures of the facilities, the school. Coach Klenakis always tells me to get on there every time I talk to him, and I usually do after I hang up the phone. It’s really a good website; it really shows guys that can’t see it [campus] what it’s like.”

Hobbi, 6-4, 285 pounds, 4.97 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has approximately 20 scholarship offers, including Arkansas, Arizona, Arizona State, Alabama, UCLA, Michigan, LSU and Oklahoma. He said others schools have similar websites but Arkansas’ stands out.

“I haven’t seen one done so well,” Hobbi said. “They really go in-depth with everything on that website. I was definitely pretty impressed with that.”

Hobbi has visited Arizona State a couple of times and has been to California, Southern Cal and UCLA. He plans to check out Michigan in about two weeks and is hoping to eventually visit Fayetteville.

“Arkansas is a great program and in the SEC,” said Hobbi, who reports a 405-pound bench press, 550 squat and being timed in the 4.3-4.4 range for the pro-shuttle. “They put a lot of guys in the NFL, so there’s an interest level there. The thing I want to do is be able to get up there and see it for myself and see what it’s like. I don’t know if I’ll be able to this summer but maybe for an official visit.”

Klenakis’ enthusiasm has caught the attention of Hobbi.

“I like Coach K a lot,” Hobbi said. “He’s a real cool guy. He’s been out here. I’ve talked to him over the phone and through emails. He’s probably one of my favorite coaches. He’s always fiery.”

TIGHT END SHOPPING

Arkansas is hunting for a tight end who can step in and play when All-America candidate D.J. Williams’ eligibility expires after next season. One possibility is highly recruited North Carolina prospect Drew Owens, who recently named Arkansas as one of his top five schools.

Owens, 6-5, 232, 4.67 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Charlotte Ardrey Kell, has approximately 19 scholarship offers but lists Arkansas, North Carolina, North Carolina State, South Carolina and Clemson as the leaders for his services.

“I started looking at them and learned more about them,” Owens said of the Hogs. “Then I saw where they use the tight end in their offense. I think they’re a pretty good team and they’re in the SEC and they’re on their way up and they’re working pretty hard to be a better team.”

Owens, who had 14 receptions for 221 yards and 4 touchdowns as a junior, has talked to Arkansas graduate assistant Marty Biagi, who was able land North Carolina defensive end Chris Smith for the 2010 recruiting class.

“He’s talked about what they’re looking for and what they’re looking to replace in their offense and how they need a big-time tight end to fill the gaps that they have,” said Owens, who claims a 325-pound bench press and 475 squat. “He’s real personable, real easy to talk to. We’re working on a relationship now, trying to get closer to learn more about him and him learn more about me.”

Owens said he’s visited four of the five teams in his top five with the exception of the Razorbacks. He said there’s about “an 80 percent chance” he attends Arkansas’ junior/senior prospect camp July 17.

Owens, who reports a 3.2 grade-point average and is considering international business and marketing or sports medicine as possible majors, is very specific about what will decide his college destination.

“Definitely the education,” Owens said. “Their success rate after college, like what kind of weight does the degree hold. The athletics, if they’re a winning team. Do they go to bowl games? See how they use the tight end. See what type of team are they a physical team? Are they a pass-first, run-first type team? And the coaching staff and the tradition?”

E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansaso nline.com

Sports, Pages 19 on 06/22/2010

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