Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

While Arkansas' season certainly hasn't started off like most expected, the Razorback coaches are still recruiting.

Recruiting has been the same theme since Bobby Petrino was fired April 10 and replaced by John L. Smith on an interim basis. Arkansas' coaches are selling the idea of committing to the university and not to a particular staff or individual coach because they can't tell the prospects they will be there next season.

It has worked reasonably well, with Arkansas ranked No. 25 on 247Sports. Arkansas has 17 commitments with two prospects taking official visits to Fayetteville this weekend.

Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College linebacker Antonio Longino, 6 foot 2, 215 pounds, will arrive in Fayetteville on Friday night. On Saturday morning Frankfort (Ky.) Franklin County athlete Ryan Timmons, 5-11, 180, will arrive for his official visit. Timmons is rated a 4-star running back on 247Sports, but Arkansas plans to use him at wide receiver if he chooses the Razorbacks.

Arkansas has a trio of 4-star recruits committed. Salinas (Calif.) Hartnell College cornerback Carroll Washington, 6-0, 175, is rated a 95 with 247Sports. Washington is the No. 1 junior college cornerback prospect in the nation and the No. 7 player regardless of position.

Pulaski Academy tight end Hunter Henry, 6-6, 235, is a 4-star rated a 94. Henry chose Arkansas over the likes of Alabama, Stanford, Georgia, Vanderbilt and Oklahoma. Henry is rated the No. 112 player in the nation by 247Sports and the nation's No. 5 tight end.

Fayetteville quarterback Austin Allen, 6-2, 217, is a 4-star with a rating of 90. Allen is the younger brother of Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen and the son of cornerbacks coach Bobby Allen. Austin is the No. 17, pro-style quarterback in the nation according to 247Sports.

Arkansas' other 14 commitments are all rated 3-star recruits by 247Sports. Arkansas has a commitment from Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage quarterback Tyler Cogswell, 6-5, 221. Cogswell was at the Alabama-Arkansas game last weekend on an unofficial visit.

Arkansas hopes to sign at least two running backs. It has a commitment from Denham Springs (La.) running back Kaleb Blanchard, 6-1, 212. Blanchard is a high 3-star with 247Sports and someone who could leap to 4 stars if he plays well this season after an injury-prone junior season. Arkansas would love to add North Little Rock 4-star Altee Tenpenny, 5-11, 212, to go with Blanchard. Tenpenny is committed to Alabama, but still considering Arkansas, Oklahoma State and maybe some others.

At wide receiver, the Razorbacks have verbal pledges from Amite (La.) athlete Jervenski Johnson, 6-4, 186, and Frisco (Texas) Centennial's Lamar Jordan, 5-10 ½, 180. Johnson also plays safety at Amite and Jordan is his team's quarterback. The Razorbacks hope to sign one or two more here, including possibly a junior college receiver.

In addition to Henry at tight end, Patterson (La.) standout Deondre Skinner, 6-4, 225, is committed to the Razorbacks. LSU made an offer to Skinner a couple of months ago and remains in play for him. Skinner was at Arkansas' game with Alabama on Saturday.

On the offensive line, an area of need this season, Arkansas has two commitments and both are from Navarro (Texas) College. Arkansas has guard Mitchell Bell, 6-4, 330, and tackle Zach Fondal, 6-5, 290. Arkansas is trying to add three more offensive linemen to this list.