RECRUITING : Hogs sizing up offensive linemen

OTIS KIRK

Posted on Sunday, May 11, 2008

URL: http://www.wholehogsports.com/adg/225395/

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino has said the offensive line could be one of the strengths of his first team, and coaches are already on the recruiting trail seeking some more talented offensive linemen for the Class of 2009.

Arkansas has an oral pledge from Fayetteville’s Colby Berna, 6-4, 280, 5. 1 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Berna is considered one of the two best recruits in the state this year.

The state has four or five other linemen who could be offered by the Razorbacks, and the Bobby Petrino Camp could be the place where decisions on most of these linemen are made. Arkansas is also busy outside the state trying to find players to go alongside Berna on the line.

Paul Petrino was in Florida this week and offered Tallahassee Leon offensive tackle Andrew Carter, 6-5, 268, 4. 8, a scholarship. Carter also has scholarship offers from Florida State, Miami, South Florida, Central Florida, Louisville, South Carolina and others.

“Coach [Paul ] Petrino came to watch me practice,” Carter said. “He then called me that night and told me he was offering me a scholarship. I was excited. I know how good that coaching staff was at Louisville. Arkansas will be phenomenal with Coach Petrino there.”

Tallahassee is the home of Florida State, but don’t count Carter as a Seminole commitment just yet.

“I moved here from New Hampshire seven years ago,” Carter said. “I’m very open. Distance isn’t a problem. I will go to UCLA if that is the best place for me. I will go where I feel the most comfortable, and if that is away from home, then that is where I will go.”

Carter feels he will be a left tackle at the next level. He has the height and long arms college and NFL teams look for in a left tackle.

“I think I will be a good left tackle in college,” Carter said. “It’s everyone’s dream to play in the NFL, but I won’t be one of those leaving college early to do it. I plan on going to college and getting a degree. If the NFL is there after that, it will be good.”

Carter said he will take an unofficial visit to Arkansas this summer.

“We run a Spread offense,” Carter said. “I’m a really good pass blocker, but I’m learning to be more physical and a better run blocker. Pass blocking is definitely my strength.”

Arkansas assistant Bobby Allen also has made an offer to Navarro (Texas ) Junior College offensive tackle Roy Watts, 6-6, 300, 5. 3.

Watts signed with Texas out of high school but has since transferred to Navarro.

“I’m looking for a good program with a family atmosphere,” Watts said. “I talked to Coach Allen on the phone. He was cool, and I enjoyed it.”

Watts, who will be a sophomore at Navarro, has offers from Houston, Ole Miss, Oklahoma State and Kansas. He said he could see spending his final two years at Arkansas.

“They run the ball a lot, and I like that,” Watts said. “I’m going to visit Arkansas. They want me to play offensive tackle. I feel I’m equally good at run or pass blocking. I can do both.

“ Arkansas just seems like some really cool people, and they told me to come in and have a chance to start right away.”

Arkansas doesn’t spend much time recruiting in Utah, but Salt Lake City Cottonwood offensive guard John Martinez, 6-4, 265, 4. 88, is reporting an offer from Arkansas and many other schools. Rivals. com rates Martinez as a four-star recruit and the No. 67 player in the nation.

“It was about a month ago when Arkansas offered me,” Martinez said. “My recruiting is really going well, and it has been fun.

“ A whole bunch of schools are looking at me. I’m shocked I’m getting this kind of recruiting attention.”