Defensive lineman Collin Clay, who recently received an offer from Arkansas, knows he's a priority for the Razorbacks because five coaches from the staff are communicating with him.
Arkansas coach Chad Morris and assistants Barry Lunney Jr., John Chavis, John Scott Jr. and Mark Smith are talking to the talented junior.
“Just being able to interact with them daily and have great conversations and crack jokes with each other, I think highly about every single one of them,” Clay said.
Clay (6-5, 235 pounds) of Putnam City High School in Oklahoma City also has offers from Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma State, Iowa State and others. He and his father visited Arkansas last spring and called the trip the best at the time. He had previously visited Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.
"It was a blessing receiving that offer," said Clay of Arkansas. "I'm building a relationship with the coaching staff more and more everyday. I am very interested in Arkansas."
He attended the Razorbacks' game against TCU in September.
“The atmosphere was crazy,” Clay said.
Clay recorded 40 tackles, a quarterback hurry and two pass deflections as a sophomore. As a junior he had 56 tackles, 3 sacks and 2 pass breakups as a junior. He also spoke of other schools recruiting him.
“Florida is pushing hard, Iowa State, Georgia, and I’m still keeping in touch with Oklahoma, TCU, and Texas,” Clay said.
He plans to make a return trip to Fayetteville in the near future.
“I believe sometime during the spring, but it will be soon,” he said.