TAT: Students React to Commits

This article originally appeared in the February 6, 2013 issue of The Arkansas Traveler.

*Note: This was written the day before National Signing Day, so some information is not up-to-date.*

As his first recruiting class as the head coach at Arkansas comes together, Bret Bielema is making a positive impression among students.

Many students, such as freshman Raj Patel, are excited that Bielema has recruited well despite Arkansas’ 4-8 record in 2012.

“I’m impressed because (former UA head coach) John L. Smith kind of left our program in a pretty bad state,” Patel said.

As of Feb. 5, the day before National Signing Day, and with several recruits still undecided, Arkansas’ class is ranked No. 24 on 247sports.com. They are also ranked No. 32, No. 39 and No. 46 according to Rivals.com, ESPN.com and Scout.com, respectively.

Other students are impressed that he has compiled an entire recruiting class in a short period of time, given that Bielema was hired Dec. 4.

“I think he’s come in here and done a great job in a little less than two months,” sophomore Brooks Rosson said. “He’s got a great start to his career here.”

Rosson said that Bielema isn’t quite done, though, as there are still some undecided players expected to announce their decisions today.

Four-star offensive linemen Denver Kirkland and Kenny Lacy have taken official visits to Arkansas. Lacy is committed to UCLA, while Kirkland remains undecided. Both are still considering the Razorbacks.

“Hopefully, we can get those last two linemen,” Rosson said. “That would be the perfect addition and would solidify the class.”

However, a few students are skeptical of the class. They point to former players Ronnie Wingo, Jr. and Darius Winston as examples of highly touted recruits who didn’t pan out.

“It seems like a lot of the fan base is focused on how great it is to have (five-star running back) Alex Collins, yet they fail to remember that Arkansas has also had several cases when they’ve had busts,” senior Paul Williams said. “Stars don’t mean anything.”