Arkansas has Big Recruiting Weekend Landing Four Commitments on Saturday
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
Enthusiasm can be contagious and being “high on the Hogs” was rampant on Saturday when four visiting prospects verbally committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks. The big haul included linebacker Dee Walker, safety Micahh Smith, cornerback Joesph Putu, and offensive lineman Paul Ramirez.
Offensive tackle Paul Ramirez (6-6, 295) was a wanted man down the backstretch of the recruiting season taking visits to Louisville on Jan. 15 and Indiana on Jan. 22. He picked the Razorbacks over offers from Arizona State, New Mexico, Middle Tennessee State, Memphis, Charlotte, and Colorado State among others.
Smith (6-0, 195) called the Hogs over offers from Lamar, Sam Houston State, Stephen F. Austin, Texas State, and Northwestern State. Smith helped lead Marshall High School to an 11-2 record in 2015 coming up with an eye popping 120 tackles with seven passes defended, three tackles for a loss, three picks, two fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble.
The Hogs landed another hot prospect in Putu. Putu comes to Arkansas from a long way around playing his high school ball in Providence Rhode Island and competing at the junior college level at North Dakota State College of Science. At the end of his sophomore season, Putu earned All-Region and All-American honors. UCLA and Texas A&M were pushing for the big cover corner along with Toledo, Tennessee State, and UAB.
Linebacker Dee Walker (6-3, 210), teammates with another Arkansas commit wide receiver Kiel Pollard, was the most sought after recruit in the bunch. Walker has over 20 offers from programs like Kentucky, Nebraska, Pitt, South Florida, Western Kentucky, Central Florida, Marshall, Iowa, Colorado State, and Arkansas State. Walker took an official visit to Indiana on Jan. 15 and was said to have his final two options down to Arkansas and Florida entering the visit but has not receive an official offer Florida despite taking an official to Gainesville on Jan. 22.
The other visitor in Fayetteville the Arkansas staff would love a commitment from is running back Kyle Porter (Katy, TX). The Hogs have let it be known that they would like to take two running backs in the 2016 class. T.J. Hammonds could fill the role if asked but is expected to play more of a slot role in the Razorbacks offense lining up on the outside more than in the backfield. Porter is ranked as the No. 7 running back in the nation. The one-two backfield combination of Porter and commit Devwah Whaley would make the Arkansas ground attack potent for years to come. Whaley is widely considered a Top 5 running back by recruiting services.
There is a “secret” defensive end visitor on campus. The visitor is not known now but will be figured out once the players go to the Catfish Hole tonight for dinner.
Arkansas Razorbacks 2016 Verbal Commitment List (21)
CB Joseph Putu, 6’2”, 195 lbs, North Dakota State College of Science, ND
SS Deon Edwards, 6’0”, 195 lbs, Lake Minneola HS, Minneola, FL
SS Alexy Jean-Baptiste, 6’3”, 205 lbs, Coconut Creek HS, Coconut Creek, FL
SS Micahh Smith, 6’0”, 195 lbs, Marshall HS, Marshall, TX
DE McTelvin Agim, 6’3”, 269 lbs, Hope HS, Hope, AR
DT Austin Capps, 6’4”, 306 lbs, Star City HS, Star City, AR
DT Briston Guidry, 6’3”, 275 lbs, Rummel HS, Metairie, LA
LB Dejon Harris, 5’11”, 235 lbs, John Ehret HS, Marrero, LA
LB Giovanni LaFrance, 6’1”, 235 lbs, St. Augustine HS, New Orleans, LA
LB Dee Walker, 6’3”, 210 lbs, Colquitt County, Moultrie, GA
OG Terrance Malone, Northwest Mississippi C.C., Senatobia, MS
OG Jake Heinrich, 6’5, 290 lbs, Urbandale HS, Urbandale, IA
OT Paul Ramirez, 6’6”, 295 lbs, San Bernardino C.C., San Bernardino, CA
QB Cole Kelley, 6’7”, 235 lbs, Teurlings Catholic HS, Lafayette, LA
RB T.J. Hammonds, 5’11”, 196 lbs, Robinson HS, Little Rock, AR
RB Devwah Whaley, 6’0”, 205 lbs, Central HS, Beaumont, TX
FB Hayden Johnson, 6’3”, 252 lbs, Rock Bridge HS, Columbia, MO
TE Grayson Gunter, 6’6”, 230 lbs, Madison Central HS, Madison, MS
WR Kofi Boateng, 6’1”, 175 lbs, Arlington Lamar HS, Arlington, TX
WR Jordan Jones, 6’2”, 175 lbs, Smackover HS, Smackover, AR
WR Kiel Pollard, 6’1”, 228 lbs, Colquitt County, Moultrie, AR
Photo credit: ajc.com; Linebacker Dee Walker.