FAYETTEVILLE – The NCAA’s recruiting dead period ends on Jan. 12, and Arkansas is lining up visits from several of its top remaining targets for the signing class of 2018.
Chad Morris and the Razorbacks already have eight early signees on board and are now looking to add approximately 7-8 more on the traditional National Signing Day on Feb. 7. While several needs were addressed in the early signing period, the Hogs are still searching for more help at a number of positions.
Starting on offense, running back Deneric Prince of Manvel (Texas) told HawgSports.com he plans to visit Fayetteville in January. The 6-1, 200-pounder has been committed to Texas A&M since early June, but the Aggies have targeted other running backs since Jimbo Fisher’s arrival in December, leaving Prince no choice but to keep his options open.
Tony St. Julien of Vinton (La.) is a 6-2, 190-pound running back who is expected to visit, as well. St. Julien holds offers from Georgia, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, TCU, Tennessee and several others and is a longtime target of Morris’s staff during their time at SMU.
At wide receiver, the Razorbacks signed one in Michael Woods of Magnolia (Texas) but appear to be set on adding another one, as long as he’s considered an immediate-impact type of player. Four-star prospect Jalen Preston, Prince’s teammate at Manvel High, definitely fits the bill.
Preston, 6-3, 210, is considered the No. 8 player in Texas and the nation’s No. 89 overall prospect according to Rivals.com.
Arkansas also appears to be in line to host two other four-star wide receivers, Tommy Bush of Schertz (Texas) Clemens and Joshua Moore of Yoakum (Texas). Bush, 6-5, 185, was the second player offered by Morris when he took over in Fayetteville. Moore, 6-3, 175, is a teammate of offensive lineman Silas Robinson, who signed with the Razorbacks on December 20. Robinson said Moore would be with him when he takes his official trip to Fayetteville on Jan. 19.
Another key offensive lineman to watch is Ryan Winkel of Memphis (Tenn.) Christian Brothers. The 6-7, 285-pound offensive tackle has recent offers from the Hogs, Mississippi State and Nebraska, and is expected to visit all three later this month.
Star City’s Jax Gasaway, 6-7, 275, could get a closer look from Arkansas’s new staff now that Jones is off the board.
Defensively, the Razorbacks have an early signature from Fordyce defensive tackle Billy Ferrell, but look for them to get a visit from Texas commitment Keondre Coburn of Houston (Texas) Westfield.
Coburn, a four-star talent, chose to not sign with the Longhorns in the early signing period and told Rivals.com writers that Arkansas was in line to get one of his official visits. Arkansas defensive end commitment John Mincey of Homerville (Ga.) Clinch County didn’t sign early with the Razorbacks, either, but will be on campus for his official visit on Jan. 26.
The Hogs also expect to host defensive ends Courtre Alexander of Owasso (Okla.) and Tyree Wilson, a Texas A&M pledge from New London (Texas) West Ruck.
The Razorbacks appear to be pleased with what they’ve got at linebacker, but they’re still chasing several defensive backs. Eddie Smith is a 6-1, 180-pound cornerback from Slidell (La.) Salmen who plans to visit Fayetteville on Jan. 26. He holds offers from TCU, Tennessee, Missouri and almost 30 other programs.
At safety, Arkansas has already hosted Myles Mason of Trussville (Ala.) Hewitt, but the 6-2, 205-pounder still plans to take other visits over the next few weeks.
Brian Johnson is a third Manvel High target of the Hogs, and there’s a good chance he’ll visit with Prince and Preston. Johnson, 6-2, 185, has been committed to Texas A&M since June but went unsigned in the early signing period. Aaron Brule is a four-star safety from Metairie (La.) Rummel who is expected to visit, as well.