Nichols earns offer from home state Hogs

The Razorbacks extended a third instate offer Sunday evening when Springdale defensive end Isaiah Nichols spoke to head coach Bret Bielema following the Trench Hogs camp in Fayetteville.

Nichols, 6-3, 265, entered the camp with offers from Missouri, Mississippi State, Kansas State, Iowa State and several others. But as many Arkansans do, he grew up wanting an opportunity to play for the home state Hogs.

"I feel as good as anyone can get after getting offered from their home state school," Nichols said. "I thought about committing, but I'm going to talk to my family about it and pray about it before doing anything.

"They told me they could evaluate me based on what I do today, or if it didn't work out today they would look at me again this season. But I'm trying to shorten my recruiting process, so I woke up this morning and said, 'Today is the day.' They told me I would have a chance today, so I went out there and attacked it."

Nichols stood out at the Fab40 camp in Benton last Saturday and put on another impressive performance during Arkansas' O-line/D-line camp on Sunday.

"I did the best I could. I think I went unblocked, maybe I had one tie. I went 110 percent out there, then I talked to Coach B and he gave me a scholarship."

Born and raised in the Natural State, Nichols knows what it means to play for the Razorbacks.

"It's just crazy," he said. "I grew up watching them, and now to say I could be the next guy that everyone in the state is looking at. There is no better feeling."

Arkansas' class is now up to seven commitments following four-star defensive lineman Emmit Gooden's decision late Sunday evening.