Arkansas' coaches spread out across the nation Sunday, the first day of the contact period, to visit prospects at schools and make in-home visits.
One of the first stops for linebackers coach Randy Shannon was to see Juwan Taylor, a highly recruited linebacker from Hallandale, Fla., who is orally committed to Georgia.
"We didn't talk football," Taylor said of his in-home visit Sunday with Shannon. "We talked about life and his experience and his college career and the opportunity that I have at Arkansas to be a good player."
Taylor, 6-2, 200 pounds, 4.70 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has scholarship offers from approximately 30 schools, including Arkansas, Georgia, LSU, Mississippi State, Clemson, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
"He said I have good people skills," Taylor said. "That's the first thing he looks at is a player's personality, and he said I fit their scheme."
Taylor said he was somewhat surprised by Shannon's two-hour visit.
"He didn't really talk much about football, he talked about academics and stuff like that," Taylor said. "It was more about the school."
Taylor is considering taking an official visit to Arkansas, and he and Shannon discussed Jan. 16 and Jan. 23 as possibilities. He said he and his parents enjoyed the time spent with Shannon.
"They loved it," he said. "He was the first coach to come here. It was big for me and my family. It was just a great moment."
He said his parents plan to accompany him if he visits Fayetteville, but he said they have one concern when it comes to Arkansas.
"They're kind of saying it's a little too far," Taylor said.
BIELEMA ENCOURAGED
Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema expressed optimism about the 2015 recruiting class and next season during a teleconference Wednesday with Arkansas media members.
"I think recruiting has been unbelievably positive," Bielema said. "I think even before this year started that I felt we were probably a recruiting class away from making the splash that we want in this conference."
The Hogs have signed four prospects to athletic financial aid agreements and they are expected to enroll in January. Those prospects are Charleston quarterback Ty Storey, Fort Smith Northside defensive lineman Daytrieon Dean, defensive lineman Hjalte Froholdt of Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy and center Zach Rogers of Carrollton (Texas) Hebron.
Arkansas commitments Will Gragg, a tight end from Dumas, and defensive end Jeremiah Ledbetter of Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College also are expected to enroll in January.
Offensive lineman Josh Allen, 6-3, 305 pounds, 5.1 seconds in the 40-yard dash, signed with North Carolina out of Jacksonville (Fla.) University Christian School in February but wasn't academically admitted. He also plans to enroll at Arkansas in January.
"I think the fact that we are going to probably add as few as five and maybe as many as nine players to our team and our roster and be able in the spring to work with them should give us a lot of benefit next fall," Bielema said.
The Hogs have 17 oral commitments and will sign a full class of 25.
"We have a certain commitment to those that we already have got," he said. "Like I said, we are going to get a huge number coming in during January, which I think for O-lineman and D-linemen is huge to try and get them in and go through spring ball."
The Hogs will be selective with their last few spots.
"When we get to about 22 or 23 commitments, then it really does get down to what is the best plus player we can get and not exactly slotted to a specific position," Bielema said.
The usual coaching changes that come at the end of the season also may afford the Hogs an opportunity to pluck prospects from other schools.
"With some coaching changes, we have contacted some kids that were previously committed to those schools and reached out to see if they had interest, so that always is changing," Bielema said. "Maybe if there is a coordinator change, especially within in our conference, that will open the doors a lot of times."
SAFETY LIKES JENNINGS
Arkansas defensive backs coach Clay Jennings made an in-home visit Tuesday night with one of the Razorbacks' major defensive targets, safety Kahlil Haughton of Waco (Texas) Midway.
"Just a good time talking with him about what he thinks I'm capable of and what he thinks I can accomplish at Arkansas," Haughton said. "As well as making me into a better man and being a mentor for me."
Haughton, 6-2, 180 pounds, 4.44 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has scholarship offers from more than 20 schools but will decide between Arkansas, Oklahoma, Baylor and Texas Tech. His mother, Tanya Antonucci, sat in during the visit Tuesday night.
"She thinks Arkansas is doing really well and is impressed," Haughton said. "She also thinks Coach Jennings is a great, honest man."
Haughton said Jennings' visit helped the Razorback's chances of landing him.
"After talking with him, it's easier to be more comfortable around him," Haughton said.
Haughton said he expects to make his decision soon.
E-mail Richard Davenport at
rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 12/05/2014