Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Petrino's First Class

Below is the list of First Class players that Petrino will bring in as new Razorbacks for next year.





Per Rivals.com - Hawgsports:

Joe Adams DB 6-0 167 4.4 5.9 Little Rock, AR
Lavunce Askew DT 6-3 280 4.83 5.6 Camden, AR
Khiry Battle DB 5-11 203 4.55 5.5 Dacula, GA
Greg Childs WR 6-5 200 4.5 5.6 Warren, AR
Brian Christopher DE 6-4 240 4.84 5.3 Camden, AR
De'Anthony Curtis RB 5-10 209 4.41 5.9 Camden, AR
Alfred Davis DT 6-2 295 - 5.1 College Park, GA
Austin Eoff OL 6-5 308 5.32 5.4 Fort Smith, AR
Elton Ford LB 5-11 205 4.57 5.2 Lithonia, GA
Albert Gary RB 5-10 177 - 5.3 Citra, FL
Chris Gragg WR 6-3 195 4.6 5.4 Warren, AR
Matt Hall OL 6-10 320 5.62 5.8 Russellville, AR
Dennis Johnson RB 5-8 180 4.4 5.5 Texarkana, AR
Basmine Jones ATH 6-0 195 4.51 5.4 Warren, AR
Jerico Nelson ATH 5-10 186 4.45 5.8 Destrehan, LA
Anthony Oden OL 6-8 295 4.87 5.2 Indianapolis, IN
Chris Raggett DB 5-11 172 - 4.9 Beaumont, TX
Jelani Smith LB 6-1 207 4.56 5.5 Abbeville, LA
Zach Stadther DT 6-2 275 4.9 5.5 North Little Rock, AR
Tramain Thomas ATH 6-2 175 4.5 5.5 Winnie, TX
Cruz Williams WR 6-4 206 4.49 5.7 Little Rock, AR
Tyler Wilson QB 6-3 182 4.75 5.8 Greenwood, AR
Jarius Wright WR 5-11 180 4.4 5.8 Warren, AR
Tenarius Wright LB 6-2 219 4.71 5.5 Memphis, TN
Jim Youngblood QB 6-2 217 4.57 5.6 Camden, AR

Willie Robinson to Coach the Defense

At today's press conference to announce the recruits Letters of Intent, Coach Petrino announced his new defensive coordinator. His name is Willie Robinson and he brings to Arkansas a rich history of coaching talent and a proven record at the college and professional level.

Robinson has coached at the professional level for the Saints, 49ers, Seahawks,and Rams. He also spent time coaching at the college level at Miami, Oregon State, Fresno State, and San Hose State.

Robinson is a native of Fort Carson, Colo. He attended Redwood High in Visalia, Calif., played two seasons (1975-76) at the College of the Sequoias (Calif.) before transferring to Fresno State from 1977-78 to finish his career as a defensive back. He earned first-team all-Pacific Coast Conference honors as a junior and second-team honors as a senior before graduating with a degree in physical education.

Robinson has two daughters, Brittany and Mallory, and currently lives in St. Louis.

Petrino's Fence

Coach Petrino did a marvelous job retaining the top talent in Arkansas for this years recruiting class. He signed every player in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette's top 10 and pulled in other top talent in the state to fill his class.

The fence that Houston Nutt talked about, but never fully built, is now up and sturdy. Hog fans can and surely will rejoice with this years recruiting class.

Go Hogs Go!

Joe Hogs Joe!

Today is national signing day, and Arkansas got a pleasant surprise this morning as Rivals 4 Star WR/DB Joe Adams of Little Rock CAC flipped his commitment from Southern Cal to Arkansas.

This change of heart can be attributed to the hard work of many on the coaching staff, most notably recruiting coordinator Tim Horton who never stopped working on Joe and selling the Razorback program.

Petrino successfully held the Arkansas wall in tact signing all of the top players in Arkansas. This is quiet an accomplishment for the new ball coach.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Albert Gary


Below is a link to a video of Albert Gary. If he indeed signs with Arkansas and qualifies, he will likely be the biggest steal for the Razorbacks in this years class. This guy brings the wood and has speed wheels too.


Bringing Defensive Backs

Arkansas is quickly filling up their final slots for the 2008 recruiting class, and their primary focus beyond current commitments is players for the defensive backfield.

Petrino got a commitment from Chris Raggett (pictured), a 5'11" 175 lbs. 4.5 40 DB. Raggett is from Beaumont, TX. He chose Arkansas over Baylor and Texas A&M.

In addition to Raggett, it also appears that Albert Gary, a 5'10" 177 lbs. 4.45 40 ATH, will sign with Arkansas on Wednesday barring some last minute change of heart. Gary is from Citra, FL

Camden Trio to Sign at 10 am Wednesday

According to Rivals.com, all 3 prospects (RB De'Anthony Curtis, QB Jim Youngblood, and DL Lavunce Askew) from Camden Fairview will sign with Arkansas tomorrow morning in their school gymnasium at 10 am.

Razorback fans can let loose a sigh of release with this news and new reports coming across the wires that say Matt Hall - a 4 Star OL from Russellville - will also sign with Arkansas.

Monday, February 4, 2008

I am a Razorback


Tonight De'Anthony Curtis solidified his commitment to Arkansas by dismissing rumors that he may go to Oklahoma State or Ole Miss.

Curtis said that he's a household name in the state and wants to try and play as a freshman for his home state team.

This brings a big sigh of relief to many Razorback fans and Coach Petrino as many were beginning to wonder what De'Anthony's intentions truly were.

Curtis is a Rivals 4 Star RB and is rated in the Rivals 100 as the 6th best RB in the nation.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Petrino Flips Another

The Razorbacks pulled in another commitment tonight when Rivals 3 Star Athlete Tramain Thomas of Winnie, TX pulled the trigger.

After visiting Arkansas this weekend, Tramain flipped his commitment to Arkansas from Arizona.

Tramain is 6'2" 180 lbs and runs a 4.5 40. He will likely play as a safety or corner.

Petrino Flips Four Star


Coach Petrino received very good news this morning from Rivals 4 Star RB/DB, Jerico Nelson, when he committed to Coach Petrino during a one-on-one meeting with the head coach at the Broyles Complex. Nelson is a Louisianan and was previously committed to Purdue. He will likely play early for the hogs as a defensive back - a position currently lacking depth and talent.

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Defensive Coordinator?

Rumor has it...Kevin Steele

This would be a HUGE hire!

Former head coach at Baylor and current defensive coordinator for Alabama.

Final Countdown


Who will fill the final 5 positions for the Razorbacks? No one knows for sure...

With less than 4 days to national signing day, Coach Petrino can only continue to work his tail off and hope for the best. Things still look positive for the coach, but much of it is still uncertain.

This weekend, he is hosting the following recruits - according to Rivals.com:

Zach Stadther DL North Little Rock
Matt Hall OL Russellville
DeShawn Scroggins, ATh Nashville
Ferbia Allen, TE-DE Dollarway
EJ Epperson, TE Humboldt (Tenn.)
Marcel Dareus DL Huffman (Ala.)
Demerius Dareus DL Huffman (Ala)
Dominic Maldonado OL Eureka (Mo.)
Johnny Thomas RB-DB Texas City (Texas)
Chris Raggett DB Beaumont Ozen (Texas)
Josh Hill CB Klein Forrest (Texas)
Albert Gary CB North Marion (FLa.) (UA wants badly)
Jerico Nelson Ath Destrehan (La.)
Anthony Power, TE Myrtle Beach (SC)
Ronald Holiday QB-ath Atlanta Douglass (Ga.)
Mike Williams CB Beaumont Westbrook (Texas)