Arkansas will get a chance to host highly regarded junior-college offensive lineman Branton Autry, a Florida commitment, for an official visit.
"My interest in Arkansas is still high," Autry said. "I really like the program and really like the coaching staff and I plan on visiting them very soon."
Autry, 6-4, 330 pounds of Coffeyville Community College in Kansas played at Mobile Blount High School in Alabama before attending junior college. He said he plans to graduate in December and will have three years to play two.
Autry's lead recruiter, offensive line coach Sam Pittman, has had 16 linemen drafted into the NFL.
"It's no secret that he's one of the best O-line coaches in America," said Autry, who's being recruited to play guard. "So I know he has what it takes to help me to the next level."
He pledged to the Gators on May 27 without seeing the campus. He later visited Gainesville June 15.
"I just like the program," Autry said. "I like the coaches. I felt like it was home when I went down there. It's close to my house and my grandparents can see me play."
Autry's freshman season at Coffeyville culminated in him receiving the Pete Peltzer Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award that's voted on by the Red Ravens coaches for the highest graded offensive lineman for the season. He also was named first team All-Jayhawk Community College Conference.
He said he was hoping to visit Fayetteville this month.
"I was going to try and come during fall camp, but I don't have a day off," Autry said.
Autry said he plans official visits to Baylor, Ole Miss and Florida, along with Arkansas.
"I don't know about my other one," he said. "I really haven't thought about it."
Autry said he will weigh his options before making a final decision.
"I'll make my decision in December," Autry said.
One thing that didn't go unnoticed by Autry is the cover of Arkansas media guide, with the five starting offensive linemen poised for action.
"It tells you they have the best O-line in the conference," Autry said.
SHOOTING GUARD AIMS FOR VISIT
Junior-college shooting guard Jaylen Barford is planning to make an official visit to Arkansas during the Sept. 18-20 weekend.
He was on the Hogs' radar while playing for Jackson South Side High School in Tennessee before enrolling at Motlow Community College in McMinnville, Tenn.
"I have a high interest in Arkansas," Barford said. "They've been recruiting me since high school and we have a good relationship and I like the coaching staff."
Barford, 6-3, 205 pounds, averaged 20.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 5.1 assists a game this past season while shooting 52.5 percent from the field and 32.7 percent from beyond the three-point line. He was named an honorable mention All-American and first-team All-Tennessee Community College Athletic
He has more than 20 scholarship offers from schools like Arkansas,
His unofficial visit to Xaiver in June is the only trip he's made so far. He hasn't set other dates for official visits.
"I don't know yet, I haven't sat down with my family and talked about it yet," Barford said.
Barford said he likes Arkansas' uptempo and aggressive approach to basketball.
"They play up and down," he said. "They like to run the whole game and play hard and that's the style I like to play."
Barford said likes assistant coach T.J. Cleveland's honest approach in the recruiting process.
"I talk to coach Cleveland a lot and sometimes coach (Mike) Anderson," Barford said.
Barford might not sign during the early signing period that runs Nov. 11-18, but said: "I at least want to commit during the early signing period."
TWO PONDER OFFICIAL
Ole Miss running back commitment D'Vaughn Pennamon, 5-11, 200, 4.46 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Manvel, Texas, said he will officially visit Arkansas. He made an unofficial visit to Fayetteville June 12.
He has more than 25 scholarship offers from schools like Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Florida, Georgia, Houston, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Nebraska and Kansas. He also plans official visits to Ole Miss, UCLA and Florida.
Highly recruited offensive lineman Marcus Tatum, 6-6, 255, of Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland said he's talking to Hogs' offensive line coach Sam Pittman and plans to make an official visit to Arkansas.
He has more than 20 offers from schools like Alabama, Florida, Miami, Auburn, Ole Miss and Nebraska.
E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 08/11/2015