Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Arkansas has maintained strong ties to the state of Texas since joining the SEC, and once again the Razorbacks are in the Lone Star State recruiting.

Four Razorback recruiters are assigned to Texas, making that state one of the priority areas each season. Arkansas and Texas A&M will be in the third year of a 10-year contract to play a game each fall in Cowboys Stadium in Irving.

Arkansas currently has a commitment from one Texan, Port Arthur Memorial athlete Nathan Holmes. Holmes (6-foot-1, 165 pounds) is considered one of the fastest players in Texas. He visited Fayetteville in early April, attended a scrimmage and then committed soon after the visit. Holmes could help at wide receiver, running back or cornerback.

In Manvel, Arkansas is among the leaders for defensive end Taiwan Johnson (6-3, 235). Johnson had 61 tackles, 25 solo, seven sacks and a fumble recovery as a junior. He has 18 scholarship offers with the Razorbacks, Nebraska and Rice at the top of his list.

"My strengths are I'm a very good run-stopper and a pretty good pass-rusher, too," Johnson said. "In addition, I'm a good hitter and good at tackling. I want to take my time and weigh my decision, but I don't want to wait too long. Arkansas, in the SEC, is definitely a school I plan to visit before I make my decision."

In San Antonio, Sam Houston defensive end Javonte McGee (6-5, 262) is among the best in Texas at any position. McGee has been chosen to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Rivals.com rates McGee a 4-star recruit and the No. 127 player nationally. Arkansas, Texas, Nebraska, Texas A&M, Baylor and Colorado are among McGee's offers.

Another defensive lineman being sought by the Razorbacks is Arlington Bowie nose guard Demonte Hood (6-0, 295). In addition to Arkansas, Hood has offers to Kansas, Kansas State, San Diego State and Washington State.

"I'm going to try and visit all the schools this summer that have offered me," Hood said. "I just want to get out and see as many places as possible. I'm keeping my options open."

Plano West defensive end-outside linebacker Bryce Cottrell (6-3, 230) reports 12-13 offers including one from the Razorbacks. Among Cottrell's other offers are Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Mississippi State, Syracuse and Wake Forest.

"Arkansas is recruiting me both as a defensive end and an outside linebacker," Cottrell said. "It's in the SEC and that's the best conference in America. I plan on visiting Arkansas in July, maybe on the 16th. I don't have a top-five list yet, but Arkansas is one of my favorites, they are up there."

A couple of players at Euless Trinity holding Arkansas offers are defensive end Polo Manukainiu (6-6, 256) and linebacker Brian Nance (6-3, 225). Nance and Manukainiu were two of the key players for Euless Trinity when they beat Shiloh Christian last season in a nationally-televised game. Nance had 174 tackles, three sacks and four interceptions as a junior. Nance has 11 offers and Manukainiu eight.

At fullback, Klein Oak's E.J. Fatu (5-10, 235) has offers to Arkansas, Arizona State, Michigan, Nevada and Utah. Fatu is eyeing various schools and is known as a punishing blocker and runner.