DALLAS -- Arkansas will get an official visit from Dallas Skyline athlete Kylan Johnson in a few weeks, and two of his teammates might do the same.
Johnson, 6-2, 200 pounds, 4.54 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has scholarship offers from approximately nine schools, including, Arkansas, UCLA, Wisconsin, Iowa State and Kansas State. He made an unofficial visit to Arkansas on July 24.
Johnson's teammates, linebacker Anthony Wheeler and defensive lineman Zach Abercrumbia, are highly recruited with more than 20 scholarship each.
"I've been telling them it's a good school," Johnson said. "They have a couple more years until they're real cold. That's what I tell them."
Johnson, whose lead recruiter is Arkansas defensive backs Coach Clay Jennings, said he plans to take his official visit soon.
"We're going to try and do a visit in the next three to two weeks," said Johnson, who has a 3.1 grade-point average. "It depends on my parents."
Johnson also plans to take official visits Kansas State and Wisconsin. He said he enjoyed watching the Razorbacks players squat weights on the goal line during his visit in July. Three Razorbacks squatted 700 pounds in the intense setting.
"When they were maxing out, all the big dudes went crazy," said Johnson, who is being recruited as a safety by the Razorbacks. "It was very intense. They were competing, and I like to compete."
Johnson said the fact Arkansas will play at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, over the next 10 years in a plus for the Razorbacks.
"It makes it easier for my parents to come see me play," he said.
Johnson smiled when talking about Jennings.
"We're always joking around and he's always laughing," Johnson said. "We're bonding like he's my uncle or something."
Wheeler, 6-2, 220, 4.57, has offers from schools that include Arkansas, Texas, Baylor, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Michigan State and others. He said he's been intrigued by Johnson's comments on Arkansas.
"Just seeing another teammate enjoying them makes you want to take a look at them too," said Wheeler, who has recorded 28 tackles and 4 tackles for loss in 3 games this season.
Wheeler said he plans to take official visits to Oklahoma, Baylor and Texas. He hasn't decided where he'll go on his other two official visits, but Arkansas has a shot.
"I've always liked them," said Wheeler, who has a 3.6 grade-point average "They're very good academically with the way Coach Jennings was telling me. I would just like to get down there for a visit and get to know them more on a comfortable level and be around them."
Abercrumbia, 6-3, 265, 4.9, is committed to Rice but also has offers from Arkansas,Vanderbilt, Wisconsin, Wake Forest, TCU and Texas Tech.
He said he has communicated with Jennings and defensive line coach Rory Segrest.
"We've been talking about their games," he said. "We've been talking about taking visits and just my plans after the season."
Abercrumbia, who has a 355-pound bench press and 500 squat, has recorded 15 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 9 quarterback hurries and 3 sacks.
He said an official visit to Arkansas is possible.
"I could definitely see setting one up to Arkansas," he said.
Abercrumbia has a 3.7 grade-point average and is considering a major in kinesiology or business.
"I think they're a good team. They're SEC," Abercrumbia said. "They have a lot to offer me as far as academics and football-wise, and it's close to home."
WILSON WILL VISIT
Arkansas is likely to get an official visit from athlete Montrel Wilson of Keller (Texas) Fossil Ridge.
Wilson, 6-3, 195 pounds, 4.59 seconds in the 40-yard dash, is orally committed to Baylor and has eight scholarship offers, but he said he only plans to take official visits to Arkansas, TCU and Baylor.
He is being recruited by Arkansas running backs coach Joel Thomas.
"I really like Coach Thomas and the way he's been talking about the program," Wilson said. "It's the SEC. It's one of the best conferences, so that's why I really want to go down there."
Wilson recorded 116 tackles, 4 interceptions and 5 forced fumbles and was named first-team All-District 4-5A as a junior. He has the frame to add 20 to 30 pounds in college and is being recruited as a linebacker by the Razorbacks.
He said he hoped to visit Arkansas for the Northern Illinois game but his plans fell through. Wilson said he has been impressed by the Razorbacks and their 3-1 record.
"They're doing real good," Wilson said. "I'm looking forward to seeing some of the tougher games in the SEC."
UA LANDS ALLEN
Former North Carolina offensive line signee Josh Allen reported on his Facebook page Wednesday night that he'll enroll at Arkansas in January.
Allen, 6-3, 305 pounds, 5.1 seconds in the 40-yard dash, signed with North Carolina out of Jacksonville (Fla.) University Christian School over scholarship offers from 20 other schools, including Arkansas, Florida State, Georgia and Nebraska.
He was not admitted to North Carolina because of academics.
Allen is the 15th oral commitment for the 2015 class. Oral commitments are not binding.
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Sports on 09/26/2014