National recruiting analyst Tom Lemming rated Arkansas' 2016 class 18th in the nation and believes the classes will only get better as the Razorbacks improve in the victory column.
Prospects in the 2016 class have watched Arkansas go 4-8, 3-9, 7-6 and 8-5 during their four years in high school. While recruits have noticed the progress Coach Bret Bielema and his staff have made, a breakout season with 10 to 11 victories will bump recruiting to another level.
"It's already starting to take a different level," Lemming said. "They're in the SEC and a high-profile team, but if they can beat Alabama or one of the super teams in a big game, recruiting will take off."
Bielema is the only coach since Frank Broyles that's shown the ability to consistently beat out elite programs for recruits. He's done it each of his four classes. Arkansas bested programs like Ohio State, Florida State, Miami, Michigan and others in Bielema's first recruiting class.
Arkansas beat schools like Alabama, UCLA, Ohio State, Georgia, Florida State, Miami and LSU in 2014 and secured signatures from prospects with offers from Michigan, Ohio State, Alabama, Florida State, Notre Dame, Florida, Georgia, Texas and others in 2015.
Bielema also is the first coach since Broyles that's been able to go into the backyard of major schools and sign recruits they coveted. The list includes Oklahoma, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Texas and Louisiana. He's also done that in all four of his recruiting classes.
This year's class is an example. Arkansas beat out Texas and Texas A&M for running back Devwah Whaley of Beaumont (Texas) Central and LSU for defensive lineman Briston Guidry of Metairie (La.) Rummel.
The 2015 class saw the Razorbacks beat out Florida for linebacker-defensive end Derrick Graham of Wauchula, Fla., and topped Florida State, Florida and Miami for offensive lineman Jalen Merrick of New Smyrna Beach, Fla. Texas offered offensive lineman Zach Rogers of Carrollton (Texas) Hebron, but Arkansas signed him. Tight end Austin Cantrell of Roland, Okla., turned down Oklahoma to sign with Arkansas.
Lemming said 17- to 18-year-olds have short-term memory when it comes to recruiting.
"Kids have what I call a five-month memory," Lemming said. "No matter what you do, you have to get hot that year to get the kids to come after you because that's all they know is right now."
Georgia LB 'big deal'
Arkansas plans to use signee Dee Walker as an outside linebacker and his high school coach thinks the Razorbacks got a steal.
Walker, 6-3, 210, 4.50 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Moultrie (Ga.) Colquitt County, signed with Arkansas over scholarship offers from Iowa, Kentucky, Louisville, Nebraska, Colorado and others.
Colquitt County Coach Rush Propst said Walker is a unique talent.
"I've seen explosive players before this kid, but he has some length to him," Propst said. "He has the ability to play inside or outside."
Walker, who recorded 96 tackles, 9 for loss, 5 sacks and 8 hurries, 2 pass breakups and a forced fumble, has the frame to easily add 20 pounds without losing speed or quickness.
National recruiting analyst Tom Lemming rates Walker a 3-star prospect. while helping Colquitt County to the Class 6A state title.
"He is what an offensive coordinator fears the most," Propst said. "He's athletic enough, he's explosive enough, he's long enough ... he covers space well. He can run with people very well, he can rush the passer. He has great instincts."
Propst said Walker can defend against spread or power offensives.
"I really think he can be a great football player in the SEC," said Propst, who led Colquitt County to two consecutive Class 6A state titles and a 30-0 record."
Walker also can be used as a rush end in passing situations.
"He can also put his hand in the ground and speed rush from a wide five, he can do all of that," Walker said. "He's a big deal for Arkansas."
Email Richard Davenport at
rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 02/05/2016