Arkansas will host the new year's first group of visitors this weekend with highly regarded cornerback Nate Dalton being one of them.
Dalton, 6-3, 195 pounds, 4.50 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Houston Cypress Falls, has approximately 10 scholarship offers, including ones from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Utah, Kentucky, SMU, Washington State and New Mexico.
"I'm trying to get a feel from a visit that I've never got before with the team, the coaching staff and overall with the people," Dalton said of his Arkansas visit. "And also get a good vibe in seeing myself going there and fitting in with the campus and also getting to the next level. That's my biggest concern."
Dalton, who has officially visited Oklahoma, Kentucky and Liberty, is being recruited by Arkansas defensive backs coach Clay Jennings. He said Jennings is wanting him to be a shutdown cornerback.
Dalton's uncle, Ron Mulkey, accompanied him, on his previous official visits. Mulkey, his aunt Jordan and cousin Shaletha will also make the trip to Fayetteville. Dalton came away impressed with the Razorbacks' 31-7 victory over Texas in the Texas Bowl.
"Oh man, impressive," he said. "That's all I can say. Shutdown. I'm not a big-time Texas fan. I have a lot of guys at my school that are Longhorn fans, and that pretty much pushed me away from that side. Overall, it [Arkansas] played great."
Dalton said he didn't text his friends about the Razorbacks' victory until after the Christmas break and comforted them at school.
"I said, 'What about the game?' " Dalton said. "They were like, 'Get away from us.' "
Dalton was impressed with the work of first-year defensive coordinator Robb Smith and his staff, who helped turn the Hogs into the nation's 10th-ranked defense after they ranked 73rd a year ago.
"When I saw them lose by one point [to Alabama], I knew they had to be a terrific team," Dalton said. "Anytime you keep up with Alabama ..."
Dalton said he anticipates making his college decision shortly after his Arkansas visit.
"I'm not going to commit on the visit," Dalton said. "I'm going to talk to my uncle about it. Well, I'm not sure because I really can't talk to him during the visit but at the same time it would have to take a lot of conversation ... It would take a little bit of time with me and him talking about it and making sure I'm making the right decision."
Eye on Gators
Miami Norland linebacker Rayshad Jackson will also make his way to Fayetteville for an official visit. He expects to arrive Thursday afternoon with his parents, Rayshard Jackson IV and Brenda Jackson, and leave Saturday.
The Hogs were the first to extend a scholarship offer to Jackson when former linebackers coach Randy Shannon was on staff. Shannon, who is now on the staff at Florida, extended a scholarship offer to Norland shortly after being added the Gators' staff.
Defensive coordinator Robb Smith has taken over Jackson's recruiting at Arkansas.
"We've been working on my flight to Arkansas," Jackson said. "He's very excited to get me up there and see how I like it. He said they really like me at outside linebacker."
Jackson, 6-1, 205, 4.58, is also drawing interest from Miami, Nebraska, Vanderbilt, Florida Atlantic and Florida International. Razorbacks freshman receiver Kendrick Edwards was his teammate last year.
"I want to experience the atmosphere, how it is and how people greet me," Jackson said.
Because of his previous relationship with Shannon, Jackson said the Gators have an edge for his services.
"With him going to Florida, that has a big impact on me," said Jackson, who will officially visit Florida on Jan. 23. "It's in-state and I know Coach Shannon very well and he attended the same school I attend. We have a great relationship. It kind of gives Florida an edge because of knowing the coach that's recruited me."
Jackson also said he liked what he saw in Arkansas' victory over Texas in the Texas Bowl.
"Domination by the defense," he said. "The defense just took control of the game."
Hill wavering?
Word of Jim Chaney leaving Arkansas to be the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Pittsburgh has Razorbacks receiver commitment K.J. Hill unsure about his pledge, according his stepfather Montez Peterson.
Hill said he plans to officially visit Alabama this weekend and Arkansas on Jan. 23.
Other Arkansas commitments, including tight end Austin Cantrell, offensive lineman Colton Jackson and running back Rawleigh Williams, said the departure of Chaney has no impact on their status with the Hogs.
E-mail Richard Davenport rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 01/13/2015