THE RECRUITING GUY

Frazier: Official visit not necessary

Har-Ber defensive tackle Josh Frazier works out during a 2013 preseason practice.
Har-Ber defensive tackle Josh Frazier works out during a 2013 preseason practice.

Springdale Har-Ber defensive tackle Josh Frazier isn’t planning to take an official visit to Arkansas because of his proximity to the campus.

“I really don’t have to take an official because I’ve been to Arkansas multiple times since I was in the ninth grade,” said Frazier, who attended the Hogs’ game against Texas A&M on Saturday. “There’s no reason to go there, have them pay for me (for an official visit). It’s short little trip.”

Frazier, 6-4, 308, 5.1 seconds in the 40-yard dash, made the first of five official visits to Texas A&M when the Aggies hosted Alabama on Sept. 14 and came away impressed by the way A&M rallied from a 35-14 deficit to cut the lead to seven on three occasions in the second half.

“That’s the type of team I want to be on,” Frazier said, “a team that shows resilience and plays the whole way.”

Frazier said he has plans to take official visits to Nebraska, Southern Cal, Alabama and Auburn.

The Cornhuskers will get an official visit even though they are not in his top five.

“I love Arkansas, they’re in my top five,” said Frazier, who reports a 415-pound bench press. “Nebraska has been recruiting me and has been talking to me and I just want to give them a chance. I’ll go up there and see if I’m impressed, and if I’m not I’ll cut them off. If I do, then I’ll have a top six I guess.”

Frazier said he and Razorbacks defensive line coach Charlie Partridge talk weekly.

“Coach Partridge calls me every week and we have really good conversations,” Frazier said. “He just asks me how my week is going. I love coach Partridge. He’s a good guy and he just wants to keep me up-to-date whatever is going on at Arkansas, and I keep him upto-date on whatever is going on in my life.”

“They send me a lot of stuff. Half the time I don’t open it because there’s so many letters. I have so much trash everywhere. I know they want me. There’s really no reason to send me a lot of mail because I love them and talk to them all of the time.”

Frazier has improved his mobility and endurance by slimming down to 308 pounds from about 340 that he played at last year.

“For me, I wanted to get my endurance up because for the past three years I felt like I didn’t finish all the way,” Frazier said.

JERSEY BOYS

Arkansas receivers coach Michael Smith took advantage of the Friday before the Rutgers game to visit Timber Creek High School in Sicklerville, N.J., to check on three prospects.

One of the prospects, sophomore receiver Cameron Chambers, received a scholarship offer from Arkansas on Sunday.

“He’s a very, very talented receiver,” Timber Creek Coach Rob Hinson said. “He’s physical as heck. He’s 6-3 and 195 pounds right now. His dad was a track coach, his dad was a collegiate wide receiver . He’s pretty polished right now as a 10th grader.”

Smith also checked on receiver Adonis Jennings, who is committed to Rutgers, and junior cornerback Kareem Ali. The Hogs have extended an offer to Jennings and are still evaluating Ali.

“They’re really impressed with both of those guys,” Hinson said.

Chambers had 5 catches for 154 yards and a touchdown against Eastern High School the Friday before Arkansas played at Rutgers. Hinson said Chambers isn’t your normal sophomore.

“Physically, he doesn’t look like a 10th grader at all,” Hinson said.

Chambers, who has offers from Temple, Toledo, Purdue and Rutgers, said he was glad to hear about the offer from the Hogs.

“To get an offer from a big-time SEC school, it definitely felt pretty good,” Chambers said. “Of course, I was ready to tell my family and they were also excited for me.”

Cameron said his father, Chris, has been a big help in his development.

“My dad was a high school All American in track and field,” Chambers said. “He went on to be a receiver on a football scholarship to Temple University and played there. He also came back as a football and a track coach, so for me having him, he’s definitely taught me how to play the position and how to improve my game.”

A trip to Fayetteville after the season is a possibility.

“That’s definitely a thought that has crossed my mind,” Chambers said.

Email Richard Davenport at [email protected]In the house

Arkansas hosted approximately 60 recruits on official and unofficial visits for the Texas A&M game at Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Saturday night. Here are some of the notable prospects who attended the game.

OFFICIAL VISIT POS PLAYER HT WT 40 SCHOOL TE RAVIAN PIERCE 6-4 230 4.53 Plantation, Fla.

Very athletic prospect with about 27 offers. Will likely commit to Hogs on visit.

UNOFFICIAL VISITS POS PLAYER HT WT 40 SCHOOL DE SOLOMON THOMAS 6-3 261 4.7 Coppell, Texas

Rated the No. 24 prospect in the nation by Tom Lemming.

OL JOVAN PRUITT 6-6 295 5.2 Dallas Bishop Dunne

Razorback commitment that’s having a very good senior year.

OL ZACH ROGERS 6-3 295 5.1 Carrollton (Texas) Hebron

Ahead of schedule in rehab from anterior cruciate ligament repair. 2015 commitment.

TE WILL GRAGG 6-4 233 4.8 Pine Bluff

Junior attended his third home game. Has offer from Hogs.

S STEVE PARKER II 6-3 190 4.46 Jenks Okla.

Has about 25 offers including Arkansas. Hogs need top flight safety.

OL ROB DOWDY 6-7 285 5.0 Westerville (Ohio) South

Has nine offers. Junior has Hogs No. 1 on his list.

OL KEATON SUTHERLAND 6-5 260 5.1 Flower Mound (Texas) Marcus

Junior prospect with Arkansas, TCU, Oklahoma, Baylor and Texas Tech offers.

RB JUAN DAY 6-2 210 4.5 North Little Rock

Hogs commit out for the season with ACL injury. Will have surgery Oct. 10.

QB RAFE PEAVEY 6-2 207 4.5 Bolivar Mo.

Continues to have outstanding senior season. Hogs commit will enroll in January.

QB TY STOREY 6-3 217 4.92 Charleston

Arkansas commitment has a chance to set state career passing records.

WR LA’MICHAEL PETTWAY 6-3 195 4.50 Nashville

Might be next 2015 in-state prospect to receive an offer from Hogs.

RB DENZEL MITCHELL 6-0 190 4.41 Jonesboro

2016 prospect with Arkansas State and Ole Miss offers. Hogs showing strong interest.

DL JOSH FRAZIER 6-4 308 5.1 Springdale Har-Ber

Major in-state target for Hogs. Rated 4-star prospect by Tom Lemming.

Sports, Pages 27 on 09/29/2013

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