By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com

FAYETTEVILLE — New Arkansas assistant Kris Cinkovich had a hard time settling into his recruiting role this year.

The Razorbacks new wide receivers coach, like most college assistants, said he was used to doing so much more as national signing day inched closer and closer.

“It was different,” Cinkovich said. “I was used to really being in the fray, being in the fight coming up to signing day and obviously I wasn’t in that.”

It wasn’t Cinkovich’s fault. The coach, who was hired by Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino to replace departed assistant Paul Petrino in December, was adjusting to his new job.

He is one of three new assistants, joining defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell and offensive line coach Chris Klenakis, who were stepping into the process later than usual. But Cinkovich said helping the Razorbacks put the finishing touches on his class was a valuable experience.

“I was able to learn the university by being here for the recruiting weekends, which to me is really important because it will help me go out and sell this university,” he said.

Cinkovich may have felt like he didn’t do as much as normal, but the Razorbacks believe all three of the new coaches were a big help in various. Petrino said Caldwell’s recruiting abilities were used more on the road than the rest of the new assistants, but Klenakis and Cinkovich helped with some junior recruiting for its 2011 class.

All three were valuable when Arkansas hosted prospects.

“They had an impact,” Petrino said. “They certainly did a great job when we got guys on campus and spent time getting to know them getting in the position meetings.”

Said offensive coordinator Garrick McGee: “They took them in the meeting room and they sold that this is the way we’re going to teach here.”

Cinkovich, who is assigned to Florida on the recruiting trail, said his introductory period on the recruiting trail is over now, though. He’ll be getting on the road full bore when coaches can evaluate and visit prospects again.

After taking more of a backseat approach this year, Cinkovich said he’s looking forward to diving into the fray.

“I feel comfortable now when I go out this spring and I’ve also got a couple weeks in Florida here at the end of January,” Cinkovich said. “I’ll be able to go get guys and do a good job of selling this football program.”

Who Is That?
When Arkansas unveiled its 25-member class on Wednesday, there was one unexpected name on the list: Jacksonville Bolles School receiver Javontee Herndon.

The Razorbacks extended a late offer to Herndon, who was not a highly rated prospect. In fact Herndon was not rated by Rivals.com and received one star from Scout.com.

But Cinkovich believes Herndon could be a surprise.

“On tape what we saw was a guy that when he caught a hitch, he had the ability to tight turn which a lot of high school kids can’t do,” Cinkovich said. “He also was a punt and kickoff returner and was blowing through seems and showing the ability to separate from people.”

Signing Day Scare
Arkansas recruiting coordinator Tim Horton said signing day included plenty of anxious moments for the coaching staff. One of the biggest dealt with defensive end Chris Smith.

The Razorbacks were expecting Smith’s faxed paperwork to arrive around 8 a.m. However, it didn’t arrive.

“It’s not there at 8:30, it’s not there at 9, it’s not there at 9:30,” Horton said. “We can’t get in touch with him and we’re panicking because Penn State had offered last week and North Carolina was hot and heavy on him.”

However, Arkansas had nothing to worry about. Some bad weather in North Carolina kept Smith out of school and pushed back a signing day ceremony.

Eventually, Smith’s signature came in and Horton said the Hogs were relieved.

Contracts Approved
The Arkansas Board of Trustees approved contracts for new football assistants Cinkovich, Caldwell and Klenakis at their meeting late last month.

In addition, a contract extension and $30,000 raise was approved for Arkansas strength and conditioning coach Jason Veltkamp. Veltkamp will now earn $175,000 annually.