Interview: 2017 OL Audry Horn Mauling his way to the Razorbacks One Play at a Time

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Knowing one’s direction in life can clear up a lot of clutter and confusion allowing said individual to focus on what is important. For Catholic High School’s Audry Horn, he put a stop to his uncertainty on the recruiting trail in late July when he accepted a preferred walk-on offer from the Arkansas Razorbacks. The early commitment gave him the freedom to narrow his attention down to his school work and refining his play on the field in the mold of the Razorbacks, nothing but positives for everyone involved.

For four years now, Horn has been sharpening his trade for the Rockets at the varsity level. The now- 6-2.5, 315 pound, Class of 2017 offensive lineman is a growing jack of all trades able to line up at either guard spot and has taken on the role of starting center for Catholic High. Horn is a road grader on running plays able to use his advanced strength and size to move would-be defenders out of the way by shear force and will.

Horn’s size, strength, speed, and agility, along with his experience, was sure to make him a target for multiple next level programs if that was the route he wanted to take. As is, the heart wants what the heart wants and Horn’s was dead set on being playing for Arkansas, an act that will endear him to Razorback Nation for years to come.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Horn to get his thoughts on his play on the field and found out about his passion for the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Interview

Audry, did you attend any college camps over the summer?

“I did. I went to an Arkansas three-day camp. That was the only on-campus camp I went to this summer, all the other camps were satellite camps. I went to a satellite camp in Louisiana (New Orleans) and the All-Arkansas camp at War Memorial. All of the in-state schools were there. I went to an Arkansas State satellite camp in Texarkana and another satellite camp in Tyler, Texas. There were a multitude of colleges at that camp. I also went to a UCA (Central Arkansas) satellite camp with multiple schools.”

What were some of the things you learned from the various camps that you are using going forward?

“At the Arkansas camp, I learned some tricks with footwork and hand work from Coach (Kurt) Anderson (offensive line coach). I’m using what he taught me quite a bit. That is really helping my game out.”

What were some of the things you worked on this summer to prepare for your senior year?

“I worked on my feet a lot to get my quickness up. Coach Anderson said that was vital for me to get better. My size and strength are there for the high school level. He told me for me to get better as a player overall I need to get quicker.”

Did you max out on any of the football lifts this summer?

“I did. I hold the record for bench and deadlift at my school. My bench is 370 and my deadlift is 640.”

What are some of the strong points of your game as a lineman?

“I’d say one of my strengths is being nasty. You will feel me every play. When the play is over, 15 seconds later I’m going to come back and hit you again.”

Which part of your game is a little better than the other, run or pass block?

“I’d say that I am a better run blocker than pass blocker right now. But I enjoy doing both. Physicality is something I excel at doing.”

What goals did you set for yourself or for the team entering the season?

“Our senior year as a team, all four years we have made it to the playoffs but we have not gotten past the first round. We have lost out in the first round each year. I want us to go into the later rounds, contend for a title. That would be amazing.”

What evaluation would you give your play so far this season?

“I feel like I have blocked well in our first two games. Our O-line as a whole takes a while to congeal and become one solid line all the way through. We have to develop chemistry. I feel like I have played well in our first two games.”

Do you guys count pancake blocks?

“The coaches don’t but I do.”

About how many did you have last season and how many do you have so far through two games this season?

“Last year, through nine games, I think I had between 45 and 50. This year, I have about eight or nine.”

I have to ask a question I’m assuming you have answered a thousand times by now, what drew you to commit to Arkansas as a walk-on this summer?

“Arkansas is ‘O-line U.’ The produce the biggest and baddest linemen. That is where they play. I absolutely love Kurt Anderson. Out of all the coaches I have talked to and worked with, he is by far my favorite. That is a big reason. The family atmosphere at Arkansas with team and coaches really makes me feel comfortable.”

What other offers did you have before you committed?

“I had two offers, a D-II and D-III offer.”

Are any schools still showing interest in you or have they stopped since you committed to the Hogs?

“It has slowed down, almost stopped completely except for Coach Anderson and Coach B (Bret Bielema – Arkansas head coach). There are still schools that send me stuff in the mail. But once I committed it slowed down tremendously.”

Are you taking any visits to Arkansas this season?

“I’ve already been to the home opener (Louisiana Tech). I will be going to every single home game this season. I want to keep learning about what they do, learning the campus, and getting a closer knit bond with the guys up there. I love it up there. I want to spend as much time as I can up there before signing day.”

Are you helping recruit other players to join you in Fayetteville?

“All the commits, we talk to guys to say come join us. Some guys in the summer that committed, we would tell them we would really like to have them in the class. It worked. I’m sure they had their mind made up already but it had to help. It is good to sell your team to other good players. It makes yourself and the team better in the long run.”

The Rockets have a pretty tough schedule this season. You guys are 1-1 with a loss to Sylvan Hills and a win against Jacksonville. Of all the upcoming games on the schedule, are there any that you are pumped up to play a little more than the others?

“Cabot! The way that game went down last year – we lost in overtime. It stung. That left a bad taste on our mouth. I would like to get some revenge in that game.”

“Audry, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of the season.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: arkansasvarsity.rivals.com; No. 78 Audry Horn.

Photo credit: Horn family; Audry Horn at Arkansas (right).

Photo credit: Horn family; CHS team captain No. 78 Audry Horn.