Every season Sam Pittman pulls off a major coup at the offensive line. Last season it was Brian Wallace, this season it is Jalen Merrick. Offensive line was a position Arkansas had to replenish some depth at and they accomplished that and then some in this class.
Merrick was a major target for all of the Florida schools and many other schools around the country. He had a long offer list that included LSU, Florida State, Alabama, Wisconsin, and Florida among many, many others. He took official visits to Arkansas, LSU, Wisconsin, and Florida State. He eventually settled on Arkansas two days before classes started in Fayetteville. Sam Pittman was his main recruiter, and he is an early enrollee who is already on campus.
Player Ratings:
247Sports- 4* with a grade of 91
Rivals- 4*
Scout- 4*
ESPN- 4* with a grade of 81, #272 in the ESPN300.
Merrick was one of Arkansas biggest gets in this class. He has all of the skills to be the next top offensive lineman here. Plus, he probably has the best hair of any recruit we have this year.
We can cherish this photo forever. pic.twitter.com/OQrRTqmxVb
— The Arkansas Logo (@Arkansas_Logo) January 11, 2015