Advertisement
football Edit

The 3-2-1: Wednesday's Recruiting Notebook

                                            THREE RECRUITING THOUGHTS

1. Replacing Wren

Arkansas lost an important commitment last week when Mesquite (Texas) Horn outside linebacker Maureese Wren backed out of his pledge to the Hogs.

Wren, 6-3, 223, had been committed to the Hogs since August 2, when he turned down other offers from Baylor, Colorado, Arizona, Missouri, Texas Tech and several others.

At the time of his commitment, he was completely on board with playing defense for the Razorbacks. That changed in the last few weeks. Whether or not his future position was the only reason for his de-commitment is irrelevant, as the Hogs still need to go find an outside 'backer to take his place in this year's class.


Advertisement

So, who are some names to keep an eye on?

As posted last week on The Razor's Edge, Xavier Benson is a guy I liked on film and would probably make sense to receive a closer look given his close proximity from Fayetteville.

Benson has been committed to Texas Tech since late July. He has other offers from Southern Miss, Tulsa, Wyoming, UL-Monroe and the like. With respect to the Red Raiders, an opportunity to play three hours closer to home and in the SEC might be enough for the Hogs to steal one.

Trumane Bell of Lake Highlands (Texas) is committed to UT-San Antonio and could get a look from the Hogs.

One thing to keep tabs on is the possibility of Arkansas using safety commit Sean Michael Flanagan as an outside linebacker. Flanagan, the state's top prospect, plays linebacker at Charleston High and his frame might allow for the move in college.

If that happens, obviously Arkansas would then have to find a replacement for Flanagan at safety. Would a current redshirting freshman cornerback such as Jordon Curtis or Jarques McClellion make the move? Does cornerback commit Tanner McCalister make the switch?

And if a cornerback does switch to safety, does it allow the Razorbacks to make a run at flipping in-state corner Ladarius Bishop from Mississippi State?

There's a lot of ifs, there, but certainly some possibilities too.


2. Phillips could be next

Cedar Hill (Texas) small forward Jordan Phillips is nearing a decision, and the Razorbacks should like their chances of having him become their fifth commitment in the Class of 2018.

Phillips, who made his official visit in Fayetteville on September 15, said his announcement is likely to come next week. He is slated to visit Virginia Tech this weekend but that trip may not happen.

Phillips visited Arkansas at the same time as Henderson (Nev.) Findlay Prep power forward Reggie Chaney. The Hogs still have a shot at landing Chaney, and they'd still like to at least get a visit from four-star forward Jericole Hellems, who has the Razorbacks in his top seven.

Arkansas currently has four commitments in guards Isaiah Joe, Desi Sills and Keyshawn Embery, as well as in-state forward Ethan Henderson.


3. Scouts aren't the only ones noticing Ragnow

No one wants to talk about last Saturday's overtime loss to Texas A&M. But did you happen to notice the play of All-America center Frank Ragnow in that game?

Pro Football Focus did, placing him on its Week 4 National Team of the Week with a grade of 95.2. Other publications wrote positive things about Ragnow, as well, stating he still hasn't allowed a single sack in his career as a Hog, and that he could be the next center to be taken in the first round of the NFL Draft.

In addition to all of that attention, 2019 four-star offensive lineman Branson Bragg, who attended the game, apparently became a fan as well.

Bragg tweeted a highlight of one of Ragnow's pancake blocks:

Arkansas inside linebackers coach Vernon Hargreaves recruits the state of Florida.
Arkansas inside linebackers coach Vernon Hargreaves recruits the state of Florida. (Trey Biddy)

                                                        TWO NEW OFFERS

Razorback football recruiting has been quiet over the last week, but here's a look at two of the most recent extended offers. Both are in the Class of 2019:

1. Cesare Mellusi | RB | Naples (Fla.)

Mellusi is a four-star and Rivals.com's No. 174 overall prospect in next year's class. His offer list prior to Arkansas jumping on board already consisted of Miami, Auburn, Michigan, USC, Notre Dame and several others, so the Razorbacks probably got in on this one a little late.


2. Jamal Morris | S | Richmond (Texas) Bush

Morris is another four-star prospect and comes in just ahead of Mellusi on the Rivals250 rankings, at No. 167 overall.

The big safety's offer list also includes Michigan, TCU, Oklahoma State, Colorado and others, so again, the Hogs will have their work cut out in trying to jump in the mix.

It's important to note, however, that these offers to national-type targets are very common, especially this early in the process. As the old saying goes, extending an offer may only give you a 1-percent chance, but you have zero chance without offering.


                                                   ONE OFFICIAL VISITOR

As we reported earlier this week, Arkansas will welcome at least one official visitor for the New Mexico State game this weekend as JUCO offensive lineman Noah Banks plans to be in Fayetteville.

Banks is a 6-7, 305-pound tackle at Iowa Western C.C. in Council Bluffs (Iowa). He's originally from Pensacola (Fla.) and spent his first two years at Murray State, one of which was a redshirt season. He started nine games as a redshirt-freshman.

The current redshirt-sophomore now holds offers from Missouri, Iowa State and Middle Tennessee State. Arkansas hasn't officially offered but very well could between now and the start of his visit this weekend.

Banks will be a two-for-two player wherever he ends up.

Arkansas currently has two offensive line commitments from in-staters Noah Gatlin and Luke Jones. The Hogs will host four-star prep lineman Jerome Carvin on an official visit in December. They've also offered a gray-shirt opportunity to Jax Gasaway of Star City, but the chances of Gasaway accepting that offer appear to be declining.

Advertisement