Nutt cites negative recruiting for those who slipped away

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Posted 7:21AM on Thursday, February 6, 2003

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - Houston Nutt had no problem bragging about the 2003 class of football recruits he signed on Wednesday, but there was a hint of disappointment in his voice. The Arkansas coach happily reaped 24 signatures, but this season of recruiting wore him down more than any other because of what he perceived as negative recruiting by other coaches. He didn't mind players leaving the state, like Warren's Bret Smith choosing Tennessee over the Razorbacks. But those who left or backed off oral commitments because of what another coach said bothered him. ``I think negative recruiting is always talked about, but we experienced it first hand,'' Nutt said. ``We got a hurt a bit last year, but nothing like this year.'' Opposing coaches had plenty of ammunition with the NCAA investigation that led to a hearing before the Infractions Committee last month and a lawsuit by former basketball coach Nolan Richardson claiming discrimination. Nutt said he was going to talk to the Southeastern Conference commissioner's office to find out if he should file a formal complaint. Potential probation as a result of the NCAA investigation into overpayments to players working at a Dallas booster's trucking firm hurt most. Nutt said he's sure it helped drive away three junior college defensive linemen. ``This was by far the toughest chore that we've had so far,'' Nutt said. ``This was by far the toughest year to recruit, the most negative it's been. I'm just going to be so happy when the NCAA makes its decision and there's no more question marks. It does affect recruiting and it does affect it.'' Zarnell Fitch and Mike Montgomery from Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas, had their mothers call Nutt on Wednesday morning to tell him they had changed their minds. Fitch opted to play for Tennessee, while Montgomery chose Texas A&M and new coach Dennis Franchione. Charles Silas, who was teammates with Arkansas signee Titus Peebles at Georgia Military College, expressed an interest in playing for the Razorbacks. He and Peebles had played together since they were in junior high, but Silas will attend South Carolina, where he signed last year. Even without those three, the Razorbacks signed seven defensive linemen on Wednesday, highlighted by Peebles, Hot Springs' Rodney Giles and Keith Jackson Jr. from Little Rock McClellan. Nutt made a point of singling out several players such as Jackson, who stood by his decision to come to Arkansas after making the choice early in the recruiting process. ``If you do a study of the ones that say 'I'm coming to this school. I'm coming to the University of Arkansas,' compared to the ones that don't know: 'Yes I'm coming, no I'm not,''' Nutt said. ``You compare that to the ones that are totally committed and they're more successful. They know what they want and they're committed.'' Nutt said he never had a good feeling that Smith, a two-time member of The Associated Press Super Team, would come to Arkansas. Smith fit the profile of a big-play receiver the Razorbacks' offense has lacked in recent years. He had over 3,000 yards receiving during Warren's back-to-back Class AAA state titles. ``Anytime I don't get an Arkansan kid at camp, I don't ever feel good about him,'' Nutt said. ``The ones that get here in the summer and make the effort to get to the game, those are the ones you feel good about.'' Nutt said he's confident that Chris Baker, a 2002 signee who went to Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia to improve his grades, and Willie Hordge from Houston Forest Brook fit what he needs at receiver. Baker, who has 4.27 speed in the 40-yard dash, has added about 11 pounds and Hordge had the second best 100-meter time (10.21) of any high school sprinter in the nation during 2002. However, Baker, who had offers from Virginia Tech and North Carolina, will be counted on to step up in a hurry. ``He's the guy that's got to help us,'' Nutt said. ``He can run and I love that he's got another 11 pounds. I was worried about him physically coming out of high school because he was frail looking. He's not frail looking anymore.'' Nutt said he hopes to sign at least one more player in the next couple of days. Also, Jonathan Barry from The Oakridge School in Arlington, Texas, who signed last year, has enrolled during this semester after improving his academic status. The defensive end has put 46 pounds on his 6-foot-6 frame since high school, weighing in at 266 pounds. Arkansas signed three sets of high school teammates. Pulaski Mills sends fullback Farod Jackson, who looks like he could make an impact with his 6-foot-2, 235-pound frame, and defensive lineman Marcus Harrison. Two from Texas High in Texarkana, Texas, also fill immediate needs. Jacob Skinner has a chance to be the new punter with Richie Butler gone and Jeremy Harrell is a quick defensive lineman at 6-foot-3, 300 pounds. Arkansas pulled three players from Memphis, including offensive lineman Jeremy Palmoore and defensive tackle Ivora Hall Jr. from Hamilton High School. Nutt also signed free safety Kevin Woods from Fairley High School in Memphis.