The Recruiting Guy

Hogs coaches impress Texas offensive lineman

Arkansas offensive line coach Sam Pittman on the sideline during the Razorbacks' Aug. 31, 2013 game against Louisiana-Lafayette at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.
Arkansas offensive line coach Sam Pittman on the sideline during the Razorbacks' Aug. 31, 2013 game against Louisiana-Lafayette at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Highly touted offensive lineman Chris Owens of Arlington (Texas) Lamar has been communicating with Arkansas offensive line coach Sam Pittman and has a good amount of interest in the Hogs.

"It's definitely up there, especially with Coach Pittman," said Owens, who took part Sunday in the Nike Football The Opening Regional at Arlington High School. "I like him."

Owens, 6-3, 312 pounds, 5.34 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has 27 scholarship offers from schools that include Arkansas, Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Michigan.

He said it's hard to describe his feelings toward Pittman.

"He's a unique coach ... man he's just different," Owens said. "I don't know, he's just different. I can't really describe it."

Owens also holds Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema in high regard.

"Just the conversations we've had, he just seems like a good person," Owens said.

The fact Bielema has had 10 offensive lineman drafted by NFL teams and Pittman has coached 16 players who have been drafted has made an impression as well.

"Yes it does, and then seeing that they had the biggest O-line last year and how much rushing yards they had," Owens said. "It's definitely something to consider."

The personable and engaging Owens has a 3.5 grade-point average, and he plans to talk football long after his playing career is over.

"I want to be like a broadcaster," Owen said. "ESPN-type stuff."

He said his desire for a television career was inspired by the late ESPN broadcaster Stuart Scott.

"I looked up to him a lot and just seeing how much fun they have," Owens said. "If God has a plan for me to not to play in the NFL, I want to stay around football as much as I can."

DIVINITY IMPRESSED

Arkansas has offered scholarships to three prospects at Marrero (La.) John Ehret High School, and highly recruited junior linebacker Michael Divinity is one of them.

Divinity, 6-2, 215 pounds, 4.7, isn't short on offers, and Arkansas, LSU, Texas A&M, Florida and Florida State are among the schools pursuing him. He said he's very interested in Arkansas because of his relationship with receivers coach Michael Smith.

"We have a great relationship," Divinity said. "He's trying to get me up there. I'm going to take an unofficial visit up there. I don't know when, but I'm really going to take a visit to Arkansas."

The Hogs also have offered athlete Caron Baham and linebacker De'jon Harris. Both are likely to visit Fayetteville with Divinity.

Divinity said he likes Smith's recruiting style.

"He's great, laid-back," he said. "He doesn't sugarcoat anything."

ESPN rates Divinity as the No. 6 outside linebacker and the No. 95 prospect in the nation, and Arkansas linebackers coach Vernon Hargreaves is a big fan of Divinity's talent.

"The linebacker coach watched my film and loved it ," Divinity said. "After that, Coach and I talked for awhile and after that we text on Twitter from time to time."

Arkansas' defense finished the year ranked among the top 10 nationally, which also caught Divinity's attention. He also likes the fact that Fayetteville is within driving distance.

"Arkansas isn't that far from home," he said. "My family can come watch me."

Divinity said he wants to have the chance to start as a freshman, and he is impressed with how Bielema helped develop Houston Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt while Watt was at Wisconsin.

"That's light to my eyes right there," he said. "He made a big name for himself. Can't really say nothing. J.J. Watt, the best in the business."

Divinity has a 3.75 grade-point average and said he is interested in majoring in engineering or architecture. He said architecture is a natural area of study for him.

"I always loved to draw and I just love building things, houses and different types of things," Divinity said. "I'm been saying it since I was little, so I might as well chase the dream."

E-mail Richard Davenport

at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports on 03/20/2015

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