Arkansas offensive line commitment Kellen Diesch said he is planning to see his future school several times this season.
"I'm going to take my official [visit] after the season, but I'm going to make it up for a few games in Fayetteville and I'm going to the Arkansas-A&M game," Diesch said.
When Diesch committed to the Hogs on June 14, he picked the Razorbacks over more than 30 scholarship offers from schools like Texas, Texas A&M, Alabama, Michigan, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Miami.
He visited Fayetteville for the Northern Illinois game last fall, again on March 7 and then for the Red-White spring game in April.
"I just felt at home when I went to Fayetteville," Diesch said. "I feel like I fit in there and I really like the type of offense they run. I just like everything about it."
Diesch, 6-7, 275 pounds, 4.87 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Trophy Club (Texas) Byron Nelson High School, will be playing on the offensive line for the first time this season after previously being at defensive end.
"The transition is going smoothly," Diesch said. "I have a great coach that's teaching me a lot of things. Our offense is fairly simple, and it's come along really great."
Diesch, who is considered one of the nation's more athletic offensive linemen, is rated a four-star prospect by recruiting analyst Tom Lemming of CBS Sports Network.
"The key word here is potential," said Lemming, who sees Diesch weighing more than 300 pounds in college."He has the length, the long arms, the quick feet and the quick hands the college scouts love to see."
Razorbacks fans were alarmed when Diesch made an unofficial visit to Texas A&M on July 23, but he said he remains solid in his commitment to Arkansas.
"I just wanted to check it out one last time," Diesch said about the visit.
Diesch said he is looking forward to his final season of high school, as well as his future.
"I'm really excited about my senior year, but I'm also excited to get up to Arkansas to start practicing," Diesch said.
Wants to be a Hog
Cornerback Kevin Richardson II of Jacksonville recently received a scholarship from Coach Bret Bielema after starting his career as a walk-on.
Benton linebacker Ben Brasuell might have a chance to do the same in the future.
He visited the Hogs for Saturday's scrimmage and was able to talk to Bielema, tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. and linebackers coach Vernon Hargreaves.
The option of walking on was discussed, with limited scholarships to offer in the 2016 class.
"They thought I was one of the best at my position," Brasuell said of in-state prospects.
Brasuell, 6-2, 217 pounds, might have a chance to be a part of the 105-member squad that reports for fall practice next year.
"They said possibly, just depends on the numbers and how the numbers could work out and how many guys they sign," Brasuell said. "They said they're not going to guarantee anything until later on in the season, and they'll keep in contact with me because they never know what will happen."
Brasuel helped his cause after attending Arkansas' Advanced Camp on June 6 and impressing the coaches. He and Lunney went over his camp times in the 40-yard dash.
"He said my first one was a 4.69 or a 4.68, and the second one was like a 4.70," said Brasuell, who is also drawing strong interest from Army.
He also has attended camps at Missouri, Ole Miss and TCU.
Brasuell, who has a 305-pound bench press and 420-pound squat, had about 73 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions and 6 recovered fumbles, including 2 returned for touchdowns, as a junior. He said he would embrace the opportunity to be a Hog.
"That would be a dream come true," Brasuell said. "I would absolutely like that, being a Razorback all my life. It would be one of the biggest points of my life if I became a part of the team."
E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 08/18/2015