FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas hasn’t yet addressed its need for a running back in the 2019 recruiting class, but the Razorbacks are off to a very good start for one of the nation’s elite in the Class of 2020.
Mesquite (Texas) Poteet four-star junior running back Seth McGowan has owned his offer from the Hogs since January, and he’s spent the last few months developing a closer relationship with Arkansas running backs coach Jeff Traylor and his area recruiter, wide receivers coach Justin Stepp. McGowan, 6-0, 210, has blown up since the beginning of the year, adding new offers from the likes of Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and several others, but his interest in learning more about the Hogs hasn’t changed.
“I’ve been talking to them and trying to keep up with Coach Traylor and Coach Stepp,” McGowan said. “That was my initial introduction to Arkansas football and their program. To be honest, I don’t know much about the program yet, as a whole. But I know they’ve got a power run game. I’ve seen Arkansas run the ball with a lot of guys who have come through there. Actually, when I began watching Arkansas football I paid a lot of attention to Alex Collins, in particular, when he was playing up there.
“I also know the staff they have up there, they have a really tight knit group of people. They’re family-oriented. I actually received word from a previous Poteet recruit, Malik Jefferson, who played for Texas and plays for the Bengals now. He told me about the kind of program (Arkansas) had. He intrigued me and kind of introduced me. And with the way Coach Traylor and Coach Stepp have been consistent with their communication, I’d say I have a pretty good interest.”
McGowan, the nation’s No. 111 overall prospect and No. 11 running back in next year’s class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, said the Razorbacks have separated themselves as a program that is showing the most amount of attention early on.
“There are a few,” McGowan said. “Georgia, I’ve been communicating with them and trying to get there for an unofficial in early August. So far, colleges that have been establishing the most communication are Oklahoma, LSU, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Stanford, Oklahoma State, and Alabama.”
McGowan’s emergence as a national recruit happened relatively quickly, but the attention isn’t going to his head. In a world full of look-at-me tweets and commitment videos, McGowan takes a more mature approach and remains humble.
“I’ve never really taken that perspective that I’m a ‘big-time’ recruit,” McGowan said. “Personally, I try to look at myself from the inside out. I’m worried about myself as a player and as a person.
“I’m aware there have been millions of other athletes that have gone through the same process I’m going through right now. I just want a level of assurance that this isn’t a peak for me, that this isn’t the highlight of my football career. This is just my initial step, just the beginning. I’m just keeping my head down and being diligent throughout my recruiting process. I just want to make sure I pick a program that makes sure I’m looking from the inside out.”
Arkansas hasn’t yet received its first commitment for the 2020 class.
The Razorbacks currently hold nine commitments for the 2019 cycle and could add more to that list when they host a big “Woo Pig” recruiting cookout on Friday, July 27.