Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Arkansas' search for a football coach continues and once that hire is made recruiting will be a top priority for the new staff.

In Arkansas, the senior class is pretty much settled as far as who will or won't get an Arkansas offer. Osceola running back Korliss Marshall, 6 feet, 190 pounds, is one who could still get an offer from the Razorbacks, Marshall has always been one of the top prospects in the state, but his academics came into question earlier. Marshall has an offer from Arkansas State he received as a sophomore. He will attend the Arkansas-Ole Miss game Saturday in Little Rock.

The new coach will immediately try to secure a verbal pledge from North Little Rock running back Altee Tenpenny, 5-11, 210, who is currently committed to Alabama. Tenpenny is a 4-star recruit according to 247Sports. He plans to take an official visit to Arkansas as well as Alabama and maybe some others.

Fayetteville 4-star quarterback Austin Allen, 6-2, 217, along with teammates and 3-star recruits, safety Alex Brignoni, 6-1, 195, and linebacker Brooks Ellis, 6-2, 215, are committed to the Razorbacks as are Pulaski Academy 4-star tight end Hunter Henry, 6-5, 235, and Forrest City 3-star defensive end Tevin Beanum, 6-4, 233. Marshall and Tenpenny added to that group would be an outstanding haul in the state for the new coach.

Arkansas has been turning out 6-10 prospects who can play in the SEC. Arkansas has made offers to two prospects for the Class of 2014 as well: Springdale Har-Ber defensive tackle Josh Frazier, 6-3, 330, and El Dorado defensive lineman Bijhon Jackson, 6-1, 300. Alabama and Arkansas State have also made offers to Frazier. Jackson and Frazier can dominate a game from their spots on the defensive line.

The Class of 2014 in Arkansas is unusually loaded on the defensive line. Har-Ber defensive end Jake Hall, 6-5, 245, teams with Frazier to give Har-Ber a nice one-two punch on the line. The two will get to try to pressure Allen on Friday night when the teams collide in Fayetteville.

In addition, Jonesboro defensive tackle Chuks Ota, 6-1 ½, 285, is considered a big-time prospect. Ota has attended a couple of Arkansas games this fall and is certainly being considered for a scholarship to Arkansas.

In 2014, another loaded position is quarterback. At least three prospects are getting interest from the major colleges. Rogers Heritage's Josh Qualls, 6-0 ½, 165, Greenwood's Jabe Burgess, 6-2, 200, and Fort Smith Southside's Isaac Jackson, 6-2, 180, are all outstanding quarterbacks.

On Friday night, Qualls passed for 290 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-22 victory over Springdale. Qualls showed outstanding mobility escaping a constant pass rush. Burgess and Jackson met Friday night with Greenwood taking a 45-21 victory over Southside. In that game, Arkansas State commitment Drew Morgan, 6-0, 175, rushed 17 times for 210 yards and six touchdowns. ASU is looking for Morgan to likely play wide receiver when he gets to Jonesboro.

In the Class of 2015, Charleston quarterback Ty Storey, 6-3, 217, is a definite, big-time prospect. Storey completed 36 of 51 passes for 466 yards and seven touchdowns Friday in a 52-34 victory over Lavaca. Storey, who has an offer from Arkansas State, is 228 of 341 for 3,240 yards and 38 touchdowns. Arkansas and many others are expressing strong interest in Storey.

At Springdale, junior running back Deandre Murray, 5-11, 170, is a college prospect. This is Murray's first year to play football in high school. Murray, who has been timed at 4.41 seconds in the 40-yard dash, will likely play slot receiver in college. Rogers-Heritage held Murray to 33 yards on 16 carries on Friday night. He entered the game with 1,207 yards and 16 touchdowns on 136 carries. Murray has been to every in-state game played by the Razorbacks this season. Arkansas and others have taken notice; Bobby Allen recruits Northwest Arkansas for the Razorbacks and has seen Murray play.

As one would expect with the added emphasis on passing in the state, some top receivers are on the horizon. Fayetteville junior wide receiver Jordan Dennis, 6-2, 178, is having a banner season. Dennis, who could also play cornerback, has performed well in Fayetteville's offense catching passes from Allen. On Friday night in an easy victory over Siloam Springs, Dennis caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from Allen and also picked off a pass on defense.