Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

8/10/2010 at 12:01am

With 14 oral commitments by August, Arkansas appears to be on the road to a successful recruiting season, according to Razorback assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Tim Horton.

Horton sat down during Arkansas' Media Day on Aug. 7 to discuss several different aspects of the Hogs' recruiting. Here is a Q&A session with Horton concerning Arkansas' recruiting:

Question: The Class of 2010 has reported and you have got to see it for a couple of practices. What are your thoughts on the class?

TH: Initially, and obviously we've only practiced a couple of days, but we're really pleased with this class. It's a group that we feel like can help us almost at every position. At the same time, I think we're a little bit fortunate in the fact two years ago we had to play freshmen because we really didn't have anyone else. Now, hopefully, we can be a little more selective and hopefully we can redshirt a lot of these guys and then can be big contributors two or three years down the road. The first impression is very positive and very good of this class. Hopefully we can keep it together.

It appears that defensive end Chris Smith and defensive tackle Byran Jones are going to be too good to redshirt. Your thoughts?

TH: They fill something you call needs. We're still looking for that speed pass rusher and I think Chris will have a chance to give us that. Byran Jones, inside, is someone that has the strength and the size that you're looking for in a nose guard. They play positions we need help and obviously they're good players.

Are Byran Jones and D.D. Jones models for defensive linemen you can recruit to in the future when you talk about size, speed and agility?

TH: No question. You go out there and look at LSU and Alabama and look at their defensive linemen. That's how Byran Jones looks and that's how D.D. Jones look. You've got a certain makeup you want that position to have. It's a hard position to find, particularly with the speed and strength that you need at this level. Those are two really good players at those positions.

The Class of 2011 is taking shape and it's being led by a very good in-state crop. That's a luxury Arkansas didn't have in the previous class and you knowshow important a strong class inside the state means to recruiting. How has this strong in-state class helped?

TH: What that does is get you a lot of kids committed before the season starts. Now, we've probably got better than 50 percent of our freshman class already committed. Probably close to 60 to 65 percent. When you've got them in state and you're able to get them, which we've been able to do, it helps a lot.

Going forward in this class, what are the main areas of need that you don't have committed at this time?

TH: The needs you have to say are, we want to sign two running backs in this class. We need to get a couple of running backs. We would like to get another defensive back, a corner particularly. We would like to get another big-time receiver. One that's a national recruit that you have got to go beat everyone in the country to get. At the same time, we're never going to turn down a great player no matter what position he plays. But, initially, those are it.

How about linebacker?

TH: Linebacker obviously is one I missed or failed to say. We know that's a spot we've got to improve and get better at. I think we're on some good guys.

How much has the high rankings heading into this season. such as No. 19 in the coaches poll, how much have they impacted recruiting? Or have they?

TH: I think anytime you can get publicity that's positive, it's good. When you're on the national scene it's going to help recruiting. No question kids want to go to the schools that are playing on national TV and getting that type of exposure. That's what we're getting right now and that's something we've got to take advantage of and win games and stay in the Top 20 and Top 10 and get to the BCS bowls.

Fans ask me what they can do to help recruiting since they can't write letters like they used to, or this and that, but what can they do now to help recruiting?

TH: Everything from the Hog Walk to being in the stands for pregame warmup to staying for the whole game, because those kids will stay for the whole game. It all goes hand in hand. If we can get the fans involved in the gameday experience then that's what those kids are seeing and that's what those kids want to be a part of as well.

How much do the facilities at Arkansas play into recruiting?

TH: Facilities play a big part. Some parts of our facilities are A-plus and obviously some parts need to be improved. You look at our weight room, it's one of the top two or three in the SEC, which means obviously it's one of the top two or three in the country. At the same time, our locker room, training room, meeting room and coaches offices are in the bottom two or three in our league. There's certain aspects of our facilities we know we've got to get better.

Tagged: Chris Smith, D.D. Jones, Tim Horton, Otis Kirk, Byran Jones