Interview: 3-Star 2018 OT Noah Gatlin Talks Arkansas Razorbacks Commitment
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The month of June has been white hot on the recruiting trail for the Arkansas Razorbacks picking up six of their nine verbal commitments. Since Sunday, the Hogs have kept the heat on SEC rivals adding four-star junior college defensive tackle Emmit Gooden, three-star defensive end Isaiah Nichols, and three-star offensive tackle Noah Gatlin. All commits are important to a given recruiting class but the addition of Gatlin could mean the Hogs have found their cornerstone left tackle of the future.
Gatlin was a dominating force at left tackle for Jonesboro High School during his junior season. The Hurricanes posted a 9-3 mark against 6A talent with a loaded roster set to return in 2017. Gatlin’s rising status on the gridiron went beyond the Natural State borders picking up 13 offers by the first of May. The early scholarships placed before him came from Arkansas State, Memphis, Louisiana-Monroe, Western Kentucky, Louisiana Tech, Air Force, Texas State, SMU, Virginia, Marshall, Arizona State, and Texas Tech. Since then Indiana, Iowa State, Missouri State, and Mississippi State have all offered.
The Razorbacks coaching staff invited the 6-7, 300 pound, in-state talent to their Trench Hogs camp for further evaluation. Gatlin’s performance at the camp on Sunday went over well earning his 18th, and most important offer, from Arkansas. Needing just one full day to think about it, Gatlin committed to Arkansas on Tuesday announcing his decision publicly on Wednesday becoming the Hogs first offensive line commitment in the 2018 class.
In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I caught up with Gatlin after his announcement to get the inside story on how the Jonesboro native came to call the Hogs.
Interview
Noah, congratulations on your commitment to Arkansas.
“Thank you.”
Let’s build up to the moment you got your offer and when you committed. How did spring practices go for you?
“They were good. We finished up well. We look good. We figured out what we needed to work on this spring for the season. It went real well.”
What all did you work on this spring preparing for your senior season and for the summer camp circuit?
“The main thing was my footwork, hand placement, and keeping my body square on pass set. I got a few pointers at camps to do those things. That is what I focused on. Those pointers helped me a lot on my pass set.”
Did you max out in the weight room this spring?
“I did on bench. My max was 325.”
Last time we spoke Texas Tech, Memphis, Air Force, and Arkansas all came by Jonesboro to see you in practice, did any other schools come by after that?
“Yes, sir. Iowa State, Louisiana Tech, Virginia, and I think Indiana all came by.”
How many offers do you have?
“I have 18 offers.”
Which schools have been showing interest in you but have not offered?
“Kansas, Colorado State, and Central Florida, those three schools are the only ones I have really talked to that had not offered me.”
Which college camps have you attended this summer?
“An Ole Miss camp, Memphis’ Mega camp, and Arkansas.”
How did the Memphis camp go?
“It went well. I had a great day that day. I had a solid day. I learned a few things to take with me. I enjoyed it and I had a lot of fun.”
How did the Arkansas camp go?
“Arkansas was good also. That was the first full-pad camp I went to. I went up against some good competition. I had a good day working with Coach (Kurt) Anderson (offensive line coach). I really enjoyed everything at that camp.”
Did you get to dominate at Arkansas’ camp?
“I only went a couple of times in one-on-ones, but the one-on-ones were good. I went three times, won two, and the first one was a stalemate.”
What areas of your skillset did you work on with the staff while at the camp?
“Coach Anderson taught me a few techniques. He taught me how to use my feet the proper way. He wanted to see how I moved and executed blocks. That is all I really got to do with Coach Anderson.”
Did you get your offer at camp?
“Yes, sir.”
How did Arkansas notify you of your offer?
“At Arkansas’ camp, the first part of the camp was a run block session and the second part was pass blocking. After the run part, we broke for lunch. After lunch, they called me over to meet with Coach B (Bret Bielema – head coach). Coach B, my family and I sat down to talk about everything and that is when he offered me.”
What was your reaction when they offered you?
“I was excited. Arkansas is a school I wanted an offer from for a long time. That was an offer I had been working hard to get. It was a relief for me that they gave me the opportunity to play at their school.”
When did you commit to the Hogs?
“On Tuesday. I announced last night, but I committed on Tuesday around 5:00 p.m.”
Who did you commit to on the staff?
“I told Coach Bielema, then Coach Anderson, and then Coach (Barry) Lunney (recruiting coordinator).”
What was Coach Bielema’s response when you committed?
“He was excited. He knows I can play for them at Arkansas. He said he could not wait until I got up there to work together and build a great team.”
What were the factors that let you know Arkansas is the right program for you?
“After talking with my family and friends, and praying hard about it, I think that Arkansas is the best fit for me as a player and for after football. I felt Arkansas was the best thing for me. That is what led to that decision. I could not be happier.”
Which position do the Hogs see you playing for them once on campus, guard or tackle?
“Tackle.”
Do you have plans to go back up to Fayetteville anytime soon?
“Yeah, I plan on getting up there as soon as I can. I want to get up there and hang out with the players and the coaching staff.”
Are you going to help recruit players to join you in the 2018 class?
“For sure the in-state guys. I would love to play with those guys. I have built a relationship with them. It would be cool to play with the in-state guys because we are all sharing the same dreams. That would be really cool.”
Which guys have you contacted already?
“Luke Jones (tackle) from Pulaski Academy and Jax Gasaway from Star City (tackle).”
Noah, again, congratulations on your commitment to Arkansas and good luck with the rest of your summer workouts.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: twitter.com; Noah Gatlin at Arkansas (April 22, 2017).