FAYETTEVILLE – In the 16 years prior to Chad Morris’s arrival, the Razorbacks hosted just two visitors from Tennessee that were rated four-stars or higher by Rivals.com. This past Sunday, the Hogs hosted a van full of Tennessee talent that included six four-star prospects.
The stellar group included five players ranked among the nation’s top 250, in Murfreesboro Oakland cornerback Woodi Washington (No. 31), Murfreesboro Blackman wide receiver Trey Knox (No. 50), Nashville Franklin Road wide receiver Lance Wilhoite (No. 55), Murfreesboro Blackman cornerback Adonis Otey (No. 167) and Nashville Montgomery Bell linebacker Jackson Hannah (No. 236).
The carpool included others that hold Arkansas scholarship offers, too, such as 2019 four-star defensive end Joseph Anderson, 2019 cornerback Gyasi Mattison, 2020 offensive lineman Chris Morris, 2020 linebacker Drew Francis, 2020 defensive end Tyrece Edwards, and 2020 offensive lineman Omari Thomas.
Every now and then a bus full of prospects will make a region-wide tour, stopping in to check out a number of schools along the way.
That wasn’t the case this weekend, though. There is legitimate interest coming from the Tennessee targets.
“Arkansas is on the climb, most definitely,” Knox said. “I think this visit shed some light and opened my eyes to what this coaching staff is trying to do here in changing the culture. They’re trying to make this program better.”
Washington, who has several other SEC offers, says the Hogs are now a strong contender to land his services.
“I haven’t really got a list of top schools yet, but they’d definitely be up there at the top of my list after this visit,” Washington said.
The visit made a huge impact on Otey, as well.
“It caught me off guard because it’s nice up here,” Otey said. “I didn’t expect it to be this nice. It’s a college town. Everybody here loves Arkansas sports and they’re all about Arkansas. I didn’t know much before coming up here, but I know a lot now and I love it.”
So, what caused the sudden momentum shift for the Razorbacks in Tennessee?
New defensive coordinator John Chavis has a lot to do with it, having spent 20 years coaching the Volunteers and establishing tons of central Tennessee connections along the way. Chavis isn’t the only draw, though.
Defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell spent 14 years under Chavis at the University of Tennessee, and new offensive coordinator Joe Craddock is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State who has several coaching buddies in the area.
Morris’s high-powered offense, which has produced several NFL wide receivers, has generated new interest, as well.
“Definitely the offense is what stood out the most,” Knox said. “Coach (Justin) Stepp and Coach Craddock were just showing me that a guy like myself can come in and flourish under this offense. They showed me the proof, from Martavis Bryant, Sammy Watkins, all the receivers that came through and ran this offense and how much they’ve succeed at the next level.”
Anderson, a very heavily recruited defensive end, said he also felt the love from Arkansas’s staff.
“The staff here at Arkansas has made me a big priority for them, and they’ve let me know how much I am wanted here,” Anderson said. “We have a really good relationship.” Fayetteville impressed Anderson enough for him to return on an official visit this fall.
“I came down here and didn’t expect it to be the way it was,” he said. “It is much better than what I thought it would be. They are really high on my list now.”