Highly regarded offensive tackle Toby Weathersby of Houston Westfield will be one of at least three prospects taking official visits to Arkansas this weekend.
Weathersby, 6-5, 290 pounds, 5.0 seconds in the 40-yard dash, committed to Texas in March but reopened his recruiting Dec. 15.
"He's one of those that's been blessed with God-given ability," said Matt Meekins, Westfield's interim coach. "At the same time he maximizes those abilities with his work ethic in the weight room and the offseason training."
Weathersby, who has a 405-pound bench press and a 515-pound squat, is being recruited by defensive backs coach Clay Jennings and offensive line coach Sam Pittman.
He brings the same work ethic to the classroom, Meekins said.
"He's an A student," Meekins said. "I believe he's a 3.6 GPA, so he's taking care of business in all parts of his life."
ESPN rates Weathersby as the No. 17 prospect in Texas, the No. 11 offensive tackle and the No. 144 overall prospect.
Meekins said college coaches have been impressed with Weathersby's versatility and ability to move laterally, which are beneficial for zone blocking.
"Of course, blocking down is easy for him because he's so strong," Meekins said.
Meekins said Weathersby had several impressive moments during the season, but one hit in particular stood out.
"When he hit him, it's like the guy came off of his feet and was like parallel to the ground," Meekins said. "I can't remember who it was a against, but it definitely was a sight to see. I think he was a linebacker. I think he was working to the next level.
"It almost looked like fake wrestling and that it was designed. Like there's no way that just happened."
OTHER VISITORS
Cornerback Nate Dalton of Houston Cypress Falls and linebacker Rayshad Jackson of Miami Norland also will visit this weekend.
Dalton, 6-3, 195, 4.50, has about 10 scholarship offers from schools that include Arkansas, Oklahoma, Utah and Kentucky. He already has taken official visits to Oklahoma, Kentucky and Liberty. Michigan also is showing interest, and he said he'll probably visit the Wolverines but hasn't set a date.
Arkansas defensive backs coach Clay Jennings will meet with Dalton today before he leaves for his official visit to Fayetteville.
Arkansas was the first to extend a scholarship offer to Jackson, 6-1, 205, 4.58, when former assistant coach Randy Shannon was on staff. Jackson also received a scholarship offer from Florida after Shannon joined the Gators staff. He plans to take an official visit to Gainesville on Jan. 23.
Jackson and his parents arrived Thursday in Fayetteville.
PITTMAN CONVINCING
Jalen Merrick is the latest in a growing list of highly recruited offensive linemen landed by Arkansas offensive line coach Sam Pittman.
Pittman also signed Dan Skipper and Denver Kirkland -- both of whom are starting now -- in the 2013 class, beating out schools like Ohio State, Michigan, Florida State, Tennessee, Miami and UCLA .
He followed that up by landing Frank Ragnow, Sebastian Tretola and Brian Wallace in the 2014 class. Alabama, Oklahoma, Florida, Florida State, Ohio State, Georgia and Miami were among the schools Arkansas beat out for those three.
Merrick chose the Razorbacks over Florida, Florida State, Miami, Alabama, Wisconsin and Michigan State.
Freshman center Zach Rogers, who signed an athletic financial aid agreement and is on campus, picked the Hogs over Texas, Oklahoma, UCLA and Baylor.
BACK ON THE TRAIL
Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema and his staff hit the road Thursday, the first day of the January contact period, to visit prospects at their schools and homes.
Arkansas tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. and receivers coach Michael Smith visited receiver K.J. Hill at North Little Rock High School and then made an in-home visit. Hill, who is orally committed to Arkansas, is expected to take and official visit to Alabama this weekend and one to Arkansas on Jan. 23.
Bielema made visits in California, where he had dinner with Blake Johnson, a punter from Los Alamitos, and his father, Todd. Johnson is orally committed to the Razorbacks.
Arkansas defensive backs coach Clay Jennings visited Thursday morning with Miami American cornerback Jeremiah Dinson, who is orally committed to Kentucky, and made his way to Miami Carol City to visit cornerback Rashard Fenton.
Fenton and Dinson cancelled trips to Arkansas after former Arkansas assistant Randy Shannon left to take a job with Florida. The Hogs are trying to convince both to visit.
Jennings also visited linebacker James King of Miami Washington and set up his official visit for Jan. 23.
E-mail Richard Davenport at
rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 01/16/2015