THE RECRUITING GUY: Razorbacks offer Las Vegas defensive end Tai

— There was an abundance of talent at Arkansas’ junior/senior prospect camp Saturday with defensive end Sam Tai being one of the standouts.

Tai, 6-4, 240 pounds, 4.9 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Las Vegas Liberty, had scholarship offers from Colorado, Colorado State, Fresno State, UNLV, Wyoming and others before attending the camp but added one from the Hogs on Monday with his performance.

He said he called defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell and received the news.

“I’m really happy about it. I definitely want to take an official visit and experience everything out there,” said Tai, who plans to take an official visit to Colorado but is trying to decide on his other three visits. “They’ll be one of my five official visits.”

Tai, who played quarterback last year while playing defensive end mainly on third downs, recorded 32 tackles and four sacks as a junior.

Tai said Caldwell told him he liked what he saw over the weekend.

“He said I really did well and he loved the way I performed,” Tai said. “He told me he would like to coach me one day. I was pretty happy about that.”

Tai’s father, Taani Tai was an all-conference defensive end at Weber State while Razorbacks Coach Bobby Petrino was the receivers/tight end coach there from 1987-88.

“He loves Petrino,” said Sam Tai, who plans to decide on a school in December. “He has nothing but good things to say. He’s real confident and comfortable with Petrino. He always talks about the good time and memories they had when he was at Weber State. It makes me more comfortable knowing he’s comfortable with Arkansas.”

BARNETT BIG ON UA

Dallas A. Maceo Smith tight end Chris Barnett made his third appearance this year on Arkansas’ campus for the camp and made it clear the Hogs were his leader.

Barnett, 6-6, 248, 4.52, has more than 30 scholarship offers, including Arkansas, Oklahoma, Southern Cal, UCLA, Florida State and Miami.

“It’s hard to explain without saying this is what you want of every situation,” Barnett said. “When you think of the best possible situation at the end of the day, it’s right there, coming to Arkansas.”

Barnett said he’s seriously considering orally committing to the Razorbacks but wants to take official visits to Florida State and Miami along with Arkansas.

“If I like everything else that I’ve been seeing, that could be it,” said Barnett, who plans to make the Razorbacks his last visit. “If I like my official here, I’m done.”

Arkansas’ academics, fans, coaches, players, facilities and atmosphere rank at the highest level with Barnett.

“On the scale of one to 10, everything is a 10,” he said.

Barnett has one word to describe his relationship with Arkansas offensive coordinator Garrick McGee.

“It’s the P word,” Barnett said. “Perfect.”

DL LISTS HOGS FIRST

Alpharetta (Ga.) Chattahoochee defensive lineman Barron Dixon, who had an outstanding performance at the camp, enjoyed his time in Fayetteville so much he named Arkansas his top school.

Dixon, 6-4, 260, 4.92, has scholarship offers from Arkansas, Auburn, Maryland, Illinois, Louisville, Cincinnati, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and others.

“Right now, Arkansas is at the top of my list,” Dixon said. “I really like the school. What I’m looking for is which school can make me the best student-athlete.”

Arkansas safety Elton Ford signed with the Hogs out of Chattahoochee High School. Dixon is impressed with Ford’s progress since arriving in Fayetteville.

“I see what they’ve done with Elton,” Dixon said. “He’s a leader in every possible way on and off the field. If they can help Elton, they can help me.”

GETTING ‘INSIDE SCOOP’

Dallas Skyline linebacker Anthony Wallace made his third trip to Fayetteville with Barnett and Dallas A. Maceo Smith offensive/defensive lineman Keith English.

Wallace, 6-2, 230, 4.6, has more than 20 scholarship offers, including Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Southern Cal.

“I don’t have any favorites, but they’re kind of up there,” Wallace said. “I really like Arkansas.”

Wallace, who plans to put recruiting on the back burner and focus on his season, said Arkansas will probably be one of his five official visits.

Hogs freshman Jatashun Beachum is one of several positive factors for Arkansas.

“He gives us the inside scoop,” Wallace said. “There’s a chance to come down and play early with a lot of seniors leaving. They have good facilities and good coaching.”

Wallace said he and Arkansas offensive coordinator Garrick McGee talk smack.

“He’s an offensive guy, so he’s always talking trash,” Wallace said with a smile. “He’s pretty cool. He tells me his running backs are going to come down and get me. I don’t say anything, I just show him.”

English, 6-4, 322, 4.96, has offers from Oklahoma State, Kansas, TCU, New Mexico and others. He said he will be a Hog should he get a scholarship offer in large part because of McGee.

“I have a great relationship with Coach McGee,” said English, who worked out on the defensive line at the camp. “It’s like mayonnaise and bread, everybody likes it. Me and Coach McGee are real cool. He’s a cool cat.”

FRAZIER IN CALIFORNIA

Shiloh Christian quarterback Kiehl Frazier, 6-3, 211, 4.57, arrived in Aliso Viejo, Calif., on Monday to compete in the 12th annual ESPN RISE Elite 11 four-day quarterback camp featuring 12 of the top quarterbacks in the nation.

Some of the past participants include Ben Roethlisberger, Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, Troy Smith and Tim Tebow.

E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansaso nline.com

Sports, Pages 17 on 07/20/2010

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