FAYETTEVILLE – For the second week in a row and the third time this season, Arkansas’ loss on the field has resulted in an even bigger loss in recruiting.
Four-star linebacker Martavius French was on an official visit in Fayetteville when the Razorbacks lost in embarrassing fashion to Auburn on Saturday, 51-10. Hours after wrapping up his visit on Sunday afternoon, the coveted defensive prospect announced that he was de-committing from Arkansas and reopening his recruitment.
His teammates from Whitehaven High in Memphis (Tenn.) – fellow four-star linebackers Bryson Eason and Tamarion McDonald – were also in town over the weekend and were quick to celebrate French’s decision on Twitter, leaving it easy to assume that all three will now play together at another SEC program.
It is not at all surprising that French, who has several other great offers on the table, would decide to part ways with an Arkansas team that is now 2-5 overall, 0-4 in the SEC and showing almost no signs of moving in the right direction this season.
While the timing of his decision is somewhat of a head-scratcher, it’s not the first time the Hogs have dealt with a de-commitment in the aftermath of a loss this season.
Approximately 24 hours after the Razorbacks’ embarrassing loss to San Jose State in September, they lost a verbal pledge from cornerback Jamie Vance of New Orleans (La.) Edna Karr.
Last week, less than an hour after Arkansas fell to Kentucky, four-star offensive lineman Ty’Kieast Crawford of Carthage (Texas) announced that he was no longer committed. Surprisingly, Crawford was back in Fayetteville for an unofficial visit just one week later and it appears the Razorbacks still have a decent chance of signing him in December.
Now French and his teammates are off the board after being atop Arkansas’ wish list for almost two years, and the Hogs have to hit the reset button in trying to find more linebackers for this year’s class.
On a brighter note – which are getting more difficult to find these days – the Razorbacks did help their chances with other prospects who made official visits in Fayetteville over the weekend.
Dwight McGlothern, a 6-2, 185-pound cornerback from Spring (Texas) Klein Oak, made his first trip to the Hill and still has the Hogs high on his list of favorites.
“It was big (in helping Arkansas’ chances),” McGlothern said. “I like how the coaches were with my parents. They have a better mind of Arkansas now. I’m new so I really didn’t know anything, but I like it. I like it a lot. I can really see myself going here.”
Nick Turner, a 5-11, 185-pound safety from New Orleans (La.) Brother Martin, remains committed to Georgia Tech but was impressed by what he found on the Hill.
“It was fun, glad I got to get up here, meet the coaches, meet some of the players and talk about what’s going on and how they’re rebuilding up here,” Turner said. “Everything was sounding good in the locker room, the players, coaches and all of that was good.
“It puts them right behind (Georgia Tech), a close second. So, I’ll just keep in touch with all the coaches, keep an open mind and see what happens from there.”
Arkansas could stop the bleeding and get a boost in recruiting by being more competitive in its remaining games this season, but that will be a tough chore as the Razorbacks visit No. 1 Alabama this Saturday.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. and will be nationally televised by ESPN.