The Recruiting Guy

A&M commit familiar with UA staff, ready to look

Arkansas coach Chad Morris speaks Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018, during a press conference to introduce new assistant coaches at the Fred W. Smith Football Center in Fayetteville.
Arkansas coach Chad Morris speaks Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018, during a press conference to introduce new assistant coaches at the Fred W. Smith Football Center in Fayetteville.

One of the more intriguing football prospects visiting the Arkansas Razorbacks this weekend would be defensive end Tyree Wilson.

Wilson, 6-4, 235 pounds, of New London (Texas) West Rusk, has tremendous speed off the edge and plays with high motor while having a long, lean frame that can add weight in fairly short period of time.

West Rusk Coach John Frazier said believes Wilson, a Texas A&M commitment, has unlimited potential.

"He has all of the intangibles that makes for a good football player, even at the next level," Frazier said. "He has NFL length. His ceiling is really high in what he'll be able to do the next four or five years at the next level."

Wilson recorded stats usually reserved for a linebacker, not a defensive end. He had 126 total tackles, 38 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 29 quarterback hurries, 5 caused fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries and 1 pass defended as a senior.

"He's a 4.6 kid," Frazier said of Wilson's 40-yard dash time. "The only thing he'll need is technique work and continue to improve on that and hit that training table to put on the weight."

While some prospects are eager for publicity, Wilson isn't one to chase the spotlight.

"He's a very grounded kid," Frazier said.

Wilson, who visited the Aggies last weekend, was one West Rusk's team leaders.

"He's a practice player, he loves the weight room, loves practice," Frazier said. "He really enjoys it regardless of the weather conditions. He's just an all-around great kid, and whoever gets him will be very lucky."

He has scholarship offers from Texas A&M, Texas, Florida, Baylor, Nebraska, Ole Miss and numerous others. He received an offer from Arkansas Coach Chad Morris on Dec. 13.

New Razorbacks defensive coordinator John Chavis played a role in Wilson's decision to commit to the Aggies and pencil in a visit to Fayetteville. Frazier said Morris and Arkansas running backs coach Jeff Traylor recruited Wilson at SMU, and that has added to the comfort level with the Hogs for Wilson.

"Coach Chavis' name and his background and where he comes from and what he's been able to accomplish weighted a lot of Tyree's decision," Frazier said. "He had already had a relationship with Coach Traylor, and that was pretty big as well. Of course, it didn't take long once they got to Arkansas to offer him."

One of the best

Arkansas recently extended a scholarship offer to linebacker Jaylen Moody, a prospect Carlton Terry called one of the best he's coached at Conway High School in South Carolina.

"He's a spectacular athlete. He's one of the best to walk our halls," Terry said. "I've been here 25 years."

Moody, 6-2, 225, 4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash, received his offer from the Hogs on Thursday to go along with others he has from Ole Miss, East Carolina, Georgia State and others. Being a recent qualifier, which Terry said he believes held back schools from offering or he would have had 20-plus offers.

Moody's size, speed and athletic ability separates him from most others at his position.

"At linebacker, not only does he have a nose for the ball, he's able to read offensive linemen to take him to the ball and once he gets there, he runs through the ball carriers," Terry said.

Moody, who recorded 105 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, 9 pass breakups last season, has officially visited Georgia State and is supposed to wrap up an Ole Miss visit today. He's expected to visit the Razorbacks on Jan. 26-28.

Moody comes from an athletic family. An older brother played quarterback and receiver at South Carolina State, while his twin brother has signed to play at East Carolina. His father played basketball at Coastal Carolina.

"We've had good football players through the years, but I think Jaylen is one of those elite football players that you get once every 10 years," Terry said.

Email Richard Davenport at [email protected]

Sports on 01/21/2018

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