Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Arkansas signed five in-state football recruits in February in what was considered a down year for Division I talent in the Natural State. But much can change in a year, and it has in regard to the amount of big-time talent in the state.

As of mid-June Arkansas had offered nine in-state recruits in the Class of 2011 with six already in the fold. In addition to the ones offered by the Razorbacks, some others in the state not holding UA offers have already opted for out-of-state schools.

The six in-state commitments for Arkansas are Fayetteville quarterback Brandon Allen (6-foot-2, 205 pounds, 4.6 in the 40-yard dash) and tight end Demetrius Dean (6-3, 245, 4.7), Springdale offensive lineman Mitch Smothers (6-4, 290, 5.16), Bentonville offensive lineman Marcus Danenhauer (6-5, 315, 5.4), Malvern defensive lineman Grady Ollison (6-5, 283, 4.9) and Forrest City wide receiver Davyon McKinney (6-3, 180, 4.5).

That is six of the 10 best athletes in Arkansas in my Top 50 headed to Fayetteville.

Allen is tied for No. 2 on my list following a junior season that saw him complete 244 of 432 passes for 3,375 yards and 30 touchdowns.

Smothers is No. 4 on the list, McKinney No. 5, Ollison No. 6, Dean No. 7 and Danenhauer No. 9. Ollison is considered the top defensive recruit in the state and was named the Defensive MVP at the Bobby Petrino Camp in early June. Allen received the same honor on offense at Petrino’s camp.

The one prize in the Top 10 that seems to have gotten away from the Razorbacks is Shiloh Christian quarterback Kiehl Frazier (6-3, 212, 4.59), who I have tied with Allen for the No. 2 player in the class. Frazier, to the surprise of no one, opted to not attend Arkansas and instead will head to Auburn, where former Shiloh Christian Coach Gus Malzahn is the offensive coordinator (Malzahn was long gone from Shiloh and had already left Springdale High for a year on the Arkansas staff before Frazier enrolled at Shiloh). As a junior, Frazier completed 227 of 362 passes for 3,817 yards and 48 touchdowns. Frazier also rushed 137 times for 764 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The top prize in the state of Arkansas is Springdale Har-Ber offensive tackle Brey Cook (6-7, 315, 5.2). Cook had more than 20 scholarship offers, but as of mid-June had narrowed his decision to the Razorbacks and Oklahoma. Cook visited Arkansas on June 8 and spoke with Arkansas line coach Chris Klenakis and recruiting coordinator Tim Horton along with Head Coach Bobby Petrino. On July 6, Cook announced his decision to attend Arkansas.

Newport athlete Artez Brown (5-11, 165, 4.4) is the other athlete in the state who holds an Arkansas offer but hasn’t made a decision yet. Brown was supposed to attend Petrino’s camp but didn’t make it due to a back injury. Brown is being recruited to play in the secondary at Arkansas, but Ole Miss and others have offered as a running back.

Brown may face a hard decision. He reportedly wants to play for the Razorbacks but also prefers to play tailback, his high school position. Arkansas is expected to land Brown, but it wouldn’t be a complete shocker if he opted to head elsewhere so he can stay on offense.

Clarksville athlete Wesleigh Foster (5-11, 193, 4.4) is the other member of the Top 10 who hasn’t made a decision. Foster was named the top cornerback as well as fastest camper at Petrino’s camp and reportedly helped his chances of getting a scholarship tremendously. While Foster is an outstanding running back in high school, he appeared to be a natural at cornerback at the camp. Foster had never played a down of cornerback in his life, but took to the position quickly during his three days in Fayetteville. If Arkansas offers, Foster is a lock to accept.

Others in the state without UA offers but known to be heading out of state are Shiloh Christian defensive lineman Samuel Harvill (6-1, 270, 4.87) and Russellville offensive lineman Mitch Hall (6-5, 315, 5.4). Harvill is headed to Kansas State while Hall is bound for Ole Miss, where his brother, former Razorback Matt Hall, is now enrolled.