The Recruiting Guy

Lineman appreciates UA fans, 'football weather'

Offensive tackle Garett Bolles.
Offensive tackle Garett Bolles.

Arkansas made a strong impression on offensive tackle Garett Bolles during his official visit to Fayetteville for the Missouri game.

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The offensive tackle from Snow College in Utah, considered one of the best offensive linemen to come out of junior college in several years, was named the player of the year in the nine-team Western States Football League.

"It was a really good visit," said Bolles, who is 6-5, 303 pounds, and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.87 seconds. "I loved all the coaches and the fans. I think the fan base was the most impressive with the rainy game, showing all the love and support as I walked around campus and everyone was saying hi."

Bolles also has taken official visits to Michigan State and Oregon. He and his fiancee, Natalie Williams, arrived in Fayetteville on Thanksgiving day and left Saturday.

"I think the most impressive thing was I felt like family out here," Bolles said. "The guys on the team made it feel like a family environment. It's going to be a hard decision when it comes down to it."

Bolles and Williams will get married Dec. 12. Williams plans to major in special education at the school he chooses, and she and Bolles spent time Friday night with Arkansas offensive tackle Dan Skipper and his girlfriend.

"We had a good time just talking with them and getting to know them," Bolles said. "Like I said, it felt like family. I think that was a big thing for both of us.

"Just trying to figure what's the best place for her, and I felt real confident as they took her in and got to know her and talked to her and I think that was just a big thing for me."

Bolles' freshman season at Snow College was his first year to play on the offensive line. He played defensive end and linebacker at about 270 pounds at Westlake High School in Lehi, Utah.

The cold temperatures and constant rain that fell during the game felt like "football weather" to Bolles.

"That's exactly what it is, big men playing in cold weather and just pounding each other," Bolles said. "That's what you love doing, playing football in that type of weather and winning a big game."

Bolles said the trip helped the Hogs in their efforts to sign him.

"It made a big jump, I'll be honest with you," he said. "I'm very impressed with this program and what they have."

It was his first time to visit Arkansas.

"As we were flying in it was real beautiful, and as we got closer and closer to the campus it just got more beautiful," he said. "The weather isn't as bad as in Utah, so I wasn't too worried abut that. It was really just a great visit."

Arkansas secured the Battle Line trophy with a 28-3 victory, giving the Razorbacks their second trophy of the month. The Hogs won the The Boot after defeating LSU 31-14 on Nov. 14.

"It's a great accomplishment for Arkansas and their football team and their coaching staff," Bolles said. "The trophy was great. Good for them, and I'm really proud of the boys for working hard to achieve it."

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Sports on 11/29/2015

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