Arkansas Business

Arkansas has nine commitments as the month of June winds down and has a chance to see that number increase in July.

Arkansas will hold its prospect camp July 21 and it almost always yields commitments for the Razorbacks. In addition, some prospects that have visited in recent weeks and for a Junior Day during the spring could also pull the trigger soon.

At this time, Arkansas seems only set at one position in the Class of 2013. They have gained two commitments at quarterback after failing to sign one last year. Fayetteville 4-star Austin Allen, 6-foot-2, 217 pounds, and Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage 3-star Tyler Cogswell, 6-5, 221, said yes to Arkansas early in the process and are now recruiting for the Razorbacks.

Cogswell took his second unofficial visit to Arkansas in early June shortly after he had announced his commitment. Cogswell happened to be in Fayetteville at the same time as a pair of standouts from Missouri. Kansas City Rockhurst offensive tackle Zach Hannon, 6-5, 298, and Lees Summit defensive end Jamone Boyd, 6-4, 245, have Arkansas very high on their lists. Cogswell, Hannon and Boyd ended up eating dinner together at the Catfish Hole that Friday night before they left the next day. Arkansas hopes it's just a matter of time before Hannon and Boyd join Cogswell on the commitment list.

“Jamone and I want to go to the same school,” Hannon said. “We had a great visit to Arkansas and we will likely announce our commitment at the same time to the same school.”

Hannon said he almost committed to Nebraska recently while on an unofficial visit there, but said he couldn't do it because he likes Arkansas. Hannon and Boyd would be welcomed additions to Arkansas' class since the program currently don't have any linemen committed.

Arkansas may have the biggest steal in the country right now with the early commitment of Denham Springs (La.) 3-star running back Kaleb Blanchard, 6-1, 205. Blanchard burst onto the recruiting scene as a sophomore when he rushed for more than 1,700 yards, but then was hampered by a shoulder injury and hamstring issues as a junior. His recruiting fell off some with many schools wanting to wait and see how he performs this season. Arkansas saw all it needed to see the past two years, offered him and he accepted almost on the spot.

“Arkansas just has to keep him now,” said a recruiting source close to the situation. “He is completely healthy now and could have a bunch of recruiters trying to get in on him at some point during the season.”

Arkansas also is hoping to flip North Little Rock 4-star Altee Tenpenny, 5-11, 200, from Alabama before the Feb. 6 National Signing Day. Tenpenny remains committed to Alabama, but also has maintained he plans to continue to take some visits as well leaving the door at least slightly ajar for schools such as Arkansas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and others. Tenpenny, like Blanchard, suffered an injury last year. Tenpenny's ankle injury forced him to miss the entire season, but he too is healthy now and should have a banner senior season.

Arkansas has a commitment from Patterson (La.) 3-star tight end-wide receiver Deondre Skinner, 6-4, 225. Skinner has good hands and jumped on an Arkansas the same day it was extended. Like Blanchard, Skinner had said that Arkansas was his dream school and if it offered he would take it.

Arkansas remains in the hunt for Pulaski Academy 4-star tight end Hunter Henry, 6-6, 245. Henry would be a perfect fit for what Arkansas does on offense and could fall right into the same company as D.J. Williams, who is now with the Green Bay Packers, and current tight end Chris Gragg, who should be a high draft pick next year. Williams won the Mackey Award and Gragg will certainly contend for that honor which goes to the nation's top tight end. Coming out of high school, Henry is much more advanced in his game than either Williams or Gragg at the same stage of their careers.

Arkansas has signed a lot of receivers in recent years, but has plans to sign three or four more this year. Amite (La.) 3-star Jervenski Johnson, 6-5, 190, became the third recruit from Louisiana to commit to Arkansas. Johnson attended the football camp at Arkansas in June and was offered a scholarship a day later after he had returned home. He thought about it for a day or two and then accepted the offer. His cousin is Arkansas quarterback Brandon Mitchell.