LITTLE ROCK — One would be hard-pressed to recall a time when Arkansas received commitments from three out-of-state high profile prospects within about a 24-hour period.
Coach Bobby Petrino and his coaching staff rejoiced when Texas tight end Chris Barnett, 6-6, 248 pounds, 4.52 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Hurst L.D. Bell publicly committed to the Hogs around 6:30 Saturday evening.
Then Sunday afternoon receiver, Quinta Funderburk, 6-4, 205, 4.5 of Chesapeake, (Va.) Oscar Smith went public with his pledge, and athlete Kelvin Fisher Jr. Fisher, 5-11, 185, 4.5 of Gilbert, (Ariz.) Higley did so a few hours later.
All three had approximately 70 scholarship offers combined.
National recruiting analyst Tom Lemming of CBS College Sports said the weekend haul will be a memorable one for Hogs fans.
“This is a day Arkansas fans should remember,” Lemming said. “Within a 24-hour period, they have three potential All-Americans commit to them from out-of-state. Three outof-state blue-chippers committing while the season is going on. Most of the kids will commit in December or January or before the season.”
In order for the Razorbacks to be able compete at the highest level, improvement in recruiting Texas is a must and the commitment of Barnett should pay dividends, not only this year but in the future.
“Anytime you get a bluechip guy out of any major metropolitan area,” Lemming said, “It helps you in the next few years because the other kids a year or two behind are aware where the big-time stars go. So the pipeline is started. The pipeline should get better and better.”
Fisher said he ended his recruiting Sunday evening after he and his family went over his list of schools.
He picked the Razorbacks over 11 other scholarship offers, including ones from Arizona State, Pittsburgh, Oregon, Pittsburgh, Washington and Boise State. He made an unofficial visit to Fayetteville in June.
“My family and I sat down and considered all of my choices, but at the end of the day we decided on Arkansas,” said Fisher, who made an official visit to Washington. “We felt like it was the best place for me and a place I felt the most comfortable. When I went out there it just felt right to be out there.”
Fisher, who plays running back and cornerback, rushed 113 times for 819 yards and 12 touchdowns and had 79 tackles, 57 unassisted, along with 2 interceptions and 4 pass breakups as a junior.
In eight games this season, Fisher has 101 carries for 973 yards and 16 touchdowns while recording 28 tackles, 15 assisted. and 2 interceptions on defense.
Offensive coordinator Garrick McGee and offensive line coach Chris Klenakis were both involved in Fisher’s recruitment.
“I talked to them quite often and they never once pressured me into making a decision or to commit to them,” said Fisher, who plans to make his official visit to Arkansas in January. “That’s what I like about them. They were just recruiting me and they knew I had to go through the process. At the same time, they were very personable people and I got to know them on a personal level.”
Funderburk is not only an electrifying playmaker but also an unassuming young man who will represent Arkansas in a positive manner, according to his coach, Richard Morgan.
“He’s a phenomenal kid,” Morgan said. “He’s humble and he’s quiet. He does all his talking on the field with his play. He’s a great kid to have on your team because he’s going to be a tremendous player and there won’t be any negative garbage that goes on with athletes today. He’s going to be the model student-athlete. He’s a great kid that comes from a great family.” E-mail Richard Davenport at [email protected]
Sports, Pages 21 on 10/26/2010