This is the second of our SEC Signing Day Recap Series and in today's post we will go over the class of the Arkansas Razorbacks. If you missed it here is a link to Alabama's Signing Day Recap:
http://www.wherethelandsharksare.com/2010/02/2010-signing-day-recap-alabama-crimson.html
Calvin Barnett
Name/Pos/Grade*
Calvin Barnett/DT/87.0
Cam Feldt/OT/85.1
Byran Jones/DT/82.1
Jatashun Beachum/Ath/80.6
Jeremiah Jackson/DT/78.7
Chris Smith/OLB/78.0
Daunte Carr/S/77.8
Courtney Gaston/OLB/77.4
Eric Bennett/Ath/77.3
Julian Horton/Ath/76.4
Eduardo Camara/K/76.3
Garrett Uekman/TE/76.1
Jarrett Lake/Ath/76.0
Denton Simek/OT/75.9
Maudrecus Humphrey/WR/75.1
Brad Hefley/MLB/74.6
Braylon Mitchell/RB/74.6
Jacoby Walker/QB/74.0
Marquel Wade/WR/73.4
Darrell Smith/S/72.7
Luke Carpentier/OT/71.5
Zach Hocker/K/69.0
LaCraig Brown/DT/59.3
Alan Turner/S/56.0
Javontee Herndon/WR/52.0
Logan Young's Staircase: LOLZERS At Arkansas!!!!!!!!!!
Jerrell Powe's Scooter: Have no fear Hawg fans, Bobby Petrino is here to provide Arkansas with the type of talent to win the SEC championship.
He brought in the type of talent that Houston Nutt should have been providing in his ten year tenure at the University.
What?
Are you telling me that Arkansas finished 48th in the country and 10th in the SEC in recruiting (according to rivals.com) this year ? That's outstanding. It's not really that bad is it? Arkansas' previous low recruiting class was 31st in 2006 or 2007 if I'm not mistaken. Arkansas has never finished below 9th in the SEC in recruiting either. This was another first. I'm about to do what all Arkansas fans have been doing at this point, I'm gonna rationalize this ugly girlfriend.
1) The rankings system was slightly skewed against the Razorbacks this year. They finished with a 2.97 star average. A .04 higher average would have given them an extra 300 points and thrown them into a mid to late thirties slot. Not signing two kickers would probably have accomplished this, but Arkansas had to sign two kickers.
2) 5.7. Arkansas scored a lot of players who were 5.7 players on their recruiting rankings. A 5.7 player is a high three star. He's a bigger prospect than your average 3-star. If three or four of these guys had been given that fourth star they would have been worth a lot more points, looked a good bit better at a glance, and given arkansas that 3.01 star average that they needed to get an extra 300 recruiting points. Still, those 5.7's aren't 5.8's and there's probably a good reason for that.
3) Bobby Petrino fulfilled positional needs this year instead of going after top prospects. Arkansas signed 5 players at it's weakest position, DT. Four Star DT's Byran Jones (#2 player in Arkansas) and Calvin Barnett (#1 player in Oklahoma) are the stars of the entire recruiting class.
They are guys that should both have an impact at the SEC level, even though they are top guys from traditionally talent-poor states. I felt like OL was a place where they needed players as bad as the DT spot. In Mallet's rough games last year, Arkansas line was destroyed, and he didn't have enough time to throw. You'll see that factor in almost every one of their losses last year. So why did Arkansas only sign three OL when there are five starting positions on the Offensive line, while signing 5 DT's for two starting spots?
The three guys that signed are quality, but I'd be worried if I was an Arkansas fan.
4) Arkansas signed the #16 class last year, presumably promising players the opportunity to come in and play right away. That would have a negative impact on this year's class with all of the young returning starters. Kids aren't going to like looking at that depth chart. Still, you can't convince kids to come in and play for the future?
In review, I think we found out that Arkansas is harder to recruit to than was previously thought. This is a huge problem down the road. Arkansas has to win next year to avoid another recruiting class like this. Even though this class isn't as bad as it looks, it's only good enough to compete at a Kentucky/State/Vandy level. I guarantee that is not what Arkansas fans are looking for. Bobby Petrino will not be able to recover from anything less than a 9 win season next year. He won't be able to recruit the talent to win in the SEC if he doesn't come through like expected. He won't have a long stay in fayetteville with another recruiting class like this.
Batteman: What to say about this class. Well for starters this class is filled with lineman and most of them defensive lineman. Arkansas returns 10 scholarship Defensive Lineman. So...why did they sign 4-6 more? I honestly can't tell you. Their defense has been near or at the bottom of the SEC since Petrino has been the Head Coach so maybe he is hoping for a complete make over. I really like the top 2 guys DT Calvin Barnett and OT Cam Feldt, though I feel Feldt may take time to learn how to Pass Block as he played in a run first offense in high school and showed a lack of technique when it comes to pass blocking. This class is average, which you cannot get away with if you expect to be successful in the SEC.
Grade Rating
A - Should make an impact IMMEDIATELY, great player expected to eventually be a top pro prospect. The kind of guy you tell your kids/grandkids about.
B - Can make an impact within the first year or two that he steps on campus. Great Pro Potential, and an eventual Star in the SEC.
C - Could develop in to a solid starter with some pro potential.
D - Developmental talent but lacks the physical tools to really be a star in the SEC. Most likely a special teams contributor or role player. Probably stolen from the Sun Belt.
F - Sleeper; Project Player; not enough information to really get an idea about the player. Most likely not going to make an impact until late in college career.
As always guys please let us know what you think.
Tomorrow's Class: Auburn Tigers
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