By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — Scott Kennedy has been immersed in the recruiting world with Scout.com for a decade now, taking in-depth looks at an abundance of high school players.
So the director of scouting for recruiting site put together a pretty impressive list when he reeled off the top wide receivers he has evaluated during his tenure: Calvin Johnson, A.J. Green and Julio Jones.
But Kennedy said the trio of NFL Draft first-round picks needs to make room for Hillcrest (Mo.) High’s Dorial Green-Beckham.
“It’s never just about one guy in a recruiting class, but Dorial Green-Beckham is a transcendental type of player,” Kennedy said Tuesday morning. “He’s just that good.”
Arkansas will find out if it can call that type of prospect a signee this morning, when the highly touted wide receiver announces his college choice during a ceremony that will be carried live by ESPNU at approximately 9 a.m. Arkansas and Missouri are considered Green-Beckham’s top two choices, although Oklahoma and Texas also have been in consideration.
The announcement will end Arkansas’ exhaustive pursuit of a player who, at 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, is rated No. 1 in the nation by Rivals.com and Scout.com. It’s no secret he would become the most decorated high school prospect to sign with the Razorbacks under coach Bobby Petrino. But he also would become, arguably, the biggest the program has landed – period — and a key component in Arkansas’ title hopes.
“I think it would be unbelievable for Arkansas if Dorial Green-Beckham went their way,” said Gerry Hamilton, a national recruiting analyst for 247Sports. “If you think about what is coming back on the Arkansas team and the offense specifically, then you add a guy that can score touchdowns is 6-6, 220 and is an area code receiver — just get the ball in the area code in traffic and he’s going to bring it down.
“I think it would be huge for Arkansas.”
There’s no doubt the Razorbacks have put in the work in hopes of convincing Green-Beckham to join them.
Arkansas’ coaching staff has squeezed every moment out of phone calls and in-home sessions with the Green-Beckham and his family, building what it must feel is a strong relationship with the phenom.
He has been in Fayetteville for both unofficial and official visits, including the January trip in which his initials “DGB” were chanted by students and fans nearly everywhere he went.
Arkansas can’t comment on specific prospects, but Petrino spoke about the program’s recruiting efforts in general terms two weeks after the Cotton Bowl. He said Arkansas’ on-the-field success, which includes 21 wins in two years, has made some of the nation’s top prospects like Green-Beckham pay attention.
“This year I think it’s helped us a lot getting people on campus,” Petrino said. “I’ve always felt like if we can get them here, if we can get them on campus and they get to see what our university is all about, they get to sit down and meet with our professors and see the quality education they’re going to get, and then see our fans, we’ve got as good a chance as anybody in the country to get them.”
Recent reports have suggested Green-Beckham may be leaning toward remaining in state to play at Missouri after taking his last official visit to Columbia, Mo., last weekend.
The Tulsa World reported Monday, citing sources, Green-Beckham will sign with the Tigers. It’s a report Green-Beckham’s father refuted a little later, according to CBSSports.com. But one that seemed to at least sway public opinion about where the prized prospect is heading today.
For instance: five out of six Rivals.com recruiting analysts predict Green-Beckham will sign with Missouri.
But nothing is definitive until Green-Beckham says so this morning. So Barton Simmons, a national recruiting analyst for 247Sports, said it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Green-Beckham choose Arkansas.
“When you’re talked about as a top 5, top 10 program in the country, kids are going to take notice,” Simmons said. “I think that Bobby Petrino and his offense and his production and track record continues to be a strong selling point. I think there’s no doubt that Arkansas is taking a step forward in the past couple of years and the level of guys they’re able to go after.”
Arkansas’ crop of 23 verbal commitments is rated No. 15 in the nation by Scout.com, No. 28 by Rivals.com and No. 24 by 247Sports entering signing day.
The ranking was boosted by the late addition of Louisiana linebacker Otha Peters, who switched his commitment from Tennessee to Arkansas on Tuesday afternoon. Peters, who is rated as a four-star prospect, is now among a group of Arkansas verbal commitments that includes running back Jonathan Williams, offensive lineman Jeremy Ward, receiver Keon Hatcher and defensive end Deatrich Wise.
Arkansas running backs coach and recruiting coordinator Tim Horton said last week the Razorbacks feel like they’ve had a “tremendous” recruiting year. He believes it will be evident when the faxes arrive today.
“Right now we’ve got a good name brand,” Horton said. “Not just in the state of Arkansas, but nationwide. Success obviously helps you. … We feel good about all the ones that will be coming. The ones that ultimately come we’re thrilled with because they want to be at Arkansas.
“The ones that don’t – best of luck to them.”
There’s no doubt Arkansas is hoping Green-Beckham’s signature will be one they do secure today.
It’s an addition that could impact the program both on the field and the recruiting trail for the foreseeable future. He’s just that good, according to Kennedy.
“It sends a message to the rest of the recruits that Arkansas can recruit this type of player,” Kennedy said about signing Green-Beckham. “It says, ‘I can be a five-star guy and go to Arkansas.’”
