The Recruiting Guy

Top offensive line target likes what he sees at UA

Sam Pittman, Arkansas' offensive line coach, communicates with coaches in the press box on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013 during the game against Louisiana-Lafayette at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.
Sam Pittman, Arkansas' offensive line coach, communicates with coaches in the press box on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013 during the game against Louisiana-Lafayette at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

One of the nation's top football prospects in the 2017 class participated in Arkansas' Advance Camp on Saturday.

Jackson (Tenn.) University School offensive lineman Trey Smith, 6-4, 285 pounds, has scholarship offers from 14 schools, including Arkansas, Alabama, Florida State, Miami, Southern Cal and Tennessee.

He cited several reasons for his high level of interest in the Hogs.

"This is the first time I've been here, but it's great, amazing," said Smith, who is rated a four-star prospect by national recruiting analyst Tom Lemming of CBS Sports Network. "Top-notch facilities. The coaches are honest with you. That's exactly want you want from a program. You want coaches that are honest with you."

Smith had kind words to say about Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema and offensive line coach Sam Pittman.

"They're all great, classy guys," he said.

Bielema has had 10 offensive linemen drafted into the NFL, while Pittman has coached 16 linemen who were. Smith said that helps the Hogs' chances.

"Absolutely, because NFL guys are produced from a college obviously tells you they can take you to a whole new level in your game," Smith said. "So that's definitely going to be taken into consideration."

Smith, who has a 3.66 grade-point average, has been busy visiting schools.

"I've visited every college that's offered me except for Miami and Florida State, Syracuse and Stanford, North Carolina and USC," Smith said. "I've basically been all over the country ripping and running."

STAYING IN TOUCH

One of the premier prospects in the nation, running back Devin White of Springhill (La.) North Webster, shared his approval of Arkansas' coaches and fans recently on Twitter.

"I just tweeted because that's how I felt at the moment," White said. "I felt like it was a lot of love from the coaching staff."

White, 6-1, 260, 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash, is one of the more physically gifted prospects in the 2016 class and has scholarship offers from more than 30 schools, including Arkansas, LSU, Alabama, Ohio State and Notre Dame.

He explained why he has such respect for Razorbacks fans.

"Arkansas is similar to Louisiana people, one big family," White said. "Even if you know the person or not, you still show them the utmost respect."

ESPN rates White the No. 3 athlete and No. 93 prospect in the nation. He rushed 270 times for 2,287 yards and 30 touchdowns and had 93 tackles as a junior.

White said Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema and his lead recruiter, receivers coach Michael Smith, direct message him often on Twitter.

"They keep up with me," White said. "They just talk to me to see what's going on. It's isn't always about football. They DM me almost every day, so it's a good thing when you have coaches being there for you and trying to see what's going on with you."

He visited Arkansas for the 30-0 victory over Ole Miss last year and again earlier this spring. He and his cousin, Arkansas receiver Jared Cornelius, are discussing his next trip to Fayetteville.

" I'm going to come up there," White said. "I haven't decided when."

WELCOME WORKS

Arkansas Coach Jimmy Dykes went out west for his first women's basketball commitment for the 2016 class.

Forward Tamia Braggs, 6-2, of Tacoma (Wash.) Lincoln, made an official visit to Fayetteville on June 7-9.

Braggs said Dykes and assistant Christy Smith made her feel wanted by sending handwritten letters and watching her during spring and summer basketball.

"They made me feel welcomed, and I felt like I was at home," Braggs said. "That was my biggest things in choosing a school. Will this team benefit me like my team at home? Will I feel at home? Will they treat me like family?"

Braggs averaged 16.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.1 blocked shots per game for her high school. She picked the Razorbacks over scholarship offers from LSU, New Mexico, TCU, Idaho and others.

Arkansas' nearly completed practice and academic facilities were big hits with her.

"That really caught my eye, because not a lot of schools have that stuff," Bragg said. "So that was nice to see all the stuff being built."

KOUASSI DECISION

Willy Kouassi will his announce a decision and sign with his new school at 11 a.m. Central Thursday.

Kouassi, a 6-10 1/2, 233-pound center, was granted a release from Kennesaw State in Georgia and has a year of eligibility left.

He has visited Arkansas, North Texas and Western Kentucky. He cancelled a trip to Brigham Young this past weekend.

REPORT: ETLING TO LSU

Rick Semmler of WTHI-TV in Terre Haute, Ind., reported Monday afternoon on Twitter that former Purdue quarterback Danny Etling would transfer to LSU.

Etling took official visits to Arkansas and LSU last week.

LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and Etling are both graduates of South Vigo High School in Terre Haute, Ind.

E-mail Richard Davenport at

rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports on 06/23/2015

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