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Now that we are done with play on the field here comes that time of year where grown men's happiness hinges on a 17-year-old's decision to play on The Hill or elsewhere.
For those of you new to recruiting, first of all, I'm sorry. It's a dirty world where the rich get richer and the poor hope to land a player that can make an immediate impact. As we move along in the process, we will all try and help you with some of the lingo thrown around so that you too can be disturbed when a high schooler decides to go to TCU and betray your team after never truly making a binding decision, like today.
Each recruit can take up to five official visits but no more than one to a particular school, so getting one of those five puts you in a good position in landing the potential player. Official visits are an all-expense paid trip the school, whereas unofficial visits (of which you have an unlimited number) are paid for by the student-athlete.
Like I said, it can be a bit overwhelming, but ask questions in the comments sections, and I will answer them as best I know.
Now on to those who as a part of their visit to Northwest Arkansas this weekend are playing EASports's NCAA 14 on the videoboard at DWRRS.
Due to exam schedules, some of the junior college prospects were able to come a little earlier and started their official visit on Thursday:
WR Cody Hollister (6-foot-4, 205-pounds)- Out of Bend, Oregon who spent last year at Arizona Western Community College. He's got the measurables but Arkansas is his most impressive offer so far. Don't be surprised if he commits before the weekend is over.
TE Blake Whitley (6-5, 240)- Another big tight end prospect who has offers from Texas, Virginia, and Purdue among others. Most experts think the Longhorns are atop his list, but with the way Bret Bielema used the tight end this season there's hope that Hunter Henry will have someone to play opposite of him on big sets.
OT Sebastian Tretola (6-5, 315)- He has offers from Oklahoma, TCU, Florida, and Texas Tech. He spent a year at Nevada blocking in the Wolf Pack's famed pistol formation before going to a junior college. This is his last official visit and from all accounts he is enjoying his time.
WR Frank Iheanacho (6-7, 220) Visited during the week and is expected to announce his decision during the Army All-American Game.
Those coming today and staying through Sunday:
S Payton Hendrix (6-3, 190)- A 3* defensive back out of Dallas, Texas boasting a 4.5-forty-yard-dash with offers from Notre Dame, Stanford, and Baylor. Chris Ash was in Dallas last week and visited with Hendrix. Notre Dame and Arkansas are his favorites, and he took his official to South Bend when they hosted USC in mid-October.
LB Zach Wary (6-4, 215)- Here is a Rogers native who is considered the third-best player in the state, according to 247sports.com. He's garnering interest from Arkansas State, Air Force and Memphis, too. With his size and speed (4.4 40), he sure seems like one of those slipping under the radar, hopefully just 30 minutes south.
Commits making their official visit this weekend:
Rafe Peavey- Potentially the Arkansas quarterback of the future
Dwayne Eugene, Corey McBride, Henre Tolliver- Louisiana guys who committed the same week last summer
Jake Hall- Defensive lineman at nearby Har-Ber
Jack Kraus- a Bentonville native tight end prospect who was recruited by former Bentonville and current Razorback coach Barry Lunney
Chris Murphy- more secondary help from just outside of Atlanta
Jovan Pruitt- a teammate of the aforementioned Payton Hendrix and a big-time offensive line prospect
Santos Ramirez- another steal out of Louisiana and teammates with Jared Cornelius, who committed to TCU earlier this afternoon.
