Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

2/3/2011 at 11:15am

The University of Arkansas signed 30 new recruits on Wednesday, including seven from Arkansas.

That is two more from the state than the Razorbacks signed in 2010. Last year’s crop from in-state included Russellville kicker Zack Hocker, who was only offered on the eve of National Signing Day after another kicker switched from Arkansas to Texas. Hocker, however, had the biggest impact of any of the five as he ended up handling the placekicking chores for the Razorbacks.

The seven in the state this year include two 4-star recruits on Rivals.com. Fayetteville quarterback Brandon Allen (6-foot-2, 214 pounds, 4.7 in the 40-yard dash), and Springdale Har-Ber offensive tackle Brey Cook (6-7, 314, 5.2). Allen and Cook are among the best in the nation at their positions, according to Rivals.com. Cook is one of five athletes able to enroll at Arkansas at midterm and will go through spring drills. Arkansas lost both its starting offensive tackles, and Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino is counting on Cook to compete for a spot on the line.

"There was some needs that we really had to go out and recruit to," Petrino said. "Starting number one with our offensive line, that was an important area for us. You really can't say enough about Brey, he's big and physical."

Allen threw for 3,408 yards and 38 touchdowns as a senior. He's the son of Arkansas assistant Bobby Allen.

Others signing with Arkansas were Fayetteville receiver/tight end Demetrius Dean (6-3, 250, 4.7), Forrest City wide receiver Davyon McKinney (6-3, 180, 4.5), Malvern defensive lineman Grady Ollison, (6-5, 272, 4.9), Bentonville offensive lineman Marcus Danenhauer (6-5, 315, 5.4) and Springdale offensive lineman Mitch Smothers (6-4, 296, 5.16).

Petrino feels that keeping the top prospects at home each year is a must for his program. It was especially important with this signing class.

"It was really important for us to do a great job in the state of Arkansas," Petrino said. "We got three offensive linemen from just up the street, and that's something you can't say enough about. A quarterback, two wide receivers and a defensive end that's big and fast. Then, we had to leave the state."

While Arkansas had two more signees this year from inside the state, none were from Pulaski County. Petrino said he doesn't see that as any reason to be alarmed.

"I think what happens a lot of times throughout the state it changes," Petrino said. "You will have some years where there's going to be guys from Little Rock, we have a number of them on our team right now. Some years it will be South Arkansas, like that group of wide receivers that are going to be seniors next year. It just so happened geographically this year it was Northwest Arkansas. I think you will just continue to see it move around."

As far as the trio of offensive linemen less than 30 minutes from the Arkansas campus, Petrino couldn't say enough about that group.

"Offensive linemen are hard to find," Petrino said. "It was great for us. They really are hard to find. To have three guys right up the street that all can really play. They have shown it throughout their high school career, not just one year, they have shown it throughout their high school career. All three are well coached. They're very strong and all three are good in the weight room."

Arkansas recruiting coordinator/running backs coach Tim Horton is responsible for recruiting the state and is pleased with this year's haul. He also has an eye on the Class of 2012 as well.

"We worked several hours (Tuesday) as a staff on the Class of 2012," Horton said. "I think it's going to be a good year in the state, which helps. There's some kids we would love to see commit real soon. Hopefully, we can get some commits here real soon. There was even times late in the recruiting process where you're sure you're 2011 recruiting, but your day may be spent looking at 2012. That's a good problem to have. When you can get them committed, it may not be as dramatic for the fans, but when you can get them all committed, it helps."

Horton also addressed the lack of Pulaski County athletes in this class and hopes that changes in the near future.

"That is the most populated cities, when you include North Little Rock, in our state," Horton said. "When you look at our team this year, some of our best players were from the capital city. We will continue to recruit it hard. We spend a lot of time there, and there's some really good coaches there. There's some good players there, too, and hopefully there will start to be a few more who we think can play in the Southeastern Conference."

Horton played at Conway High School before signing with the Razorbacks. He recruited the state for Air Force and Kansas State before taking the job at Arkansas. Horton was asked Wednesday what is a good year in the state of Arkansas as far as numbers in a class.

"I think anything above seven maybe," Horton said. "The question we always ask ourselves [is], 'Is this a young man who can help us beat Alabama and LSU?' The hard part is there are good players you would love to take, and there's some here close to Fayetteville, and we have to tell them we think we've got someone just a little better."

Arkansas has already extended at least four offers in the state for the Class of 2012. Pottsville offensive lineman Jeremy Ward (6-4, 280, 5.15), East Poinsett County athlete A.J. Turner, (6-3, 200, 4.5) Warren wide receiver Jalen Cobb (6-0, 180, 4.5) and Jonesboro wide receiver Zac Brooks (6-2, 185, 4.4). Ward, Turner and Cobb are all expected to commit to Arkansas very soon. Brooks currently has offers to Arkansas, Arkansas State and Ole Miss.

Otis Kirk has covered Arkansas recruiting for more than 30 years. His features and message board posts regularly can be found at the premium website Hawgsports.com, a member of the Rivals.com network.

Tagged: Tim Horton, Davyon McKinney, Marcus Danenhauer, Bobby Petrino, Bobby Allen, Mitch Smothers, Demetrius Dean, Zach Hocker, Grady Ollison, Brandon Allen, Otis Kirk, Recruiting 360, Brey Cook