This could be a big weekend for the University of Arkansas football program whether it beats Auburn on the field today or not.
The Razorbacks are hosting six prospects on official visits, five of whom are defensive players who could give that side of the ball a boost.
Memphis Central wideout Darin Turner (6-4, 215), cornerback Dwight McGlothern (6-1, 180) and New Orleans Brother Martin safety, and Georgia Tech commit Nick Turner (5-11, 180) are three of the visitors.
The other three are the Memphis Whitehaven trio of Arkansas commit Martavius French (6-2, 240), Byron Ea-son (6-3, 250) and Mississippi State linebacker/safety pledge Tamarion McDonald (6-2, 220), standouts that could all make an immediate impact next season.
“They are all great football players, but the best thing about them are that they are all great young men, too,” Whitehaven head coach Rodney Saulsberry said. “They are the type of young men that can help turn a program around and a college coach will never have to worry about them on the field, off the field or in the classroom. They are leaders on and off the field.”
French and Eason are both ESPN four-star prospects and nominees for the high school Butkus Award that honors the top prep linebacker nationally.
They have all been consistent in saying they want to play together in college, something that is now possible at Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Memphis.
Arkansas and Tennessee, where the trio officially visited Oct. 4-6, have both offered McDonald in the last month to make that possible at five schools.
“I am so happy that they have all these opportunities now,” Saulsberry said. “They have talked about how much they want to do that and stay together. But as a coach, I am happy they know they have the opportunity to do that or go their own way if that is what they feel is best.
“They have been to Tennessee, are taking the official to Arkansas this weekend and are planning on visiting Mississippi State later in the year,” Saulsberry said. “That one may be an unofficial and they may also take unofficials to Ole Miss and Memphis since it is right here where we live.”
While McDonald may have been the last of the trio offered, Saulsberry is adamant his is not a package deal sort of arrangement.
“It is true that Tamarion got started later than the other two in terms of playing and starting to get offers, but this season he has shown that he is a talent just like the others,” Saulsberry said. “This is not one of those situations where these schools are taking him just to get the others.
“All three can now go to any of those schools without the others, but I know they want to end up together if at all possible. It’s a blessing for all three.”
Whitehaven (6-1), which beat host North Little Rock 23-0 on Sept. 6, is off this weekend and has Germantown up next on Oct. 25.
The Tigers’ regular-season finale is with Memphis Central and Turner.
“We have our eye on finishing this season strong and then getting into the playoffs and making something happen,” Saulsberry said. “That’s what these guys are leading us to and then they can all get it done on the next level.”