Arkansas received its fifth oral commitment for the 2009 recruiting class Wednesday when athlete Ryan Calender of Caddo Hills, Texas, said he wanted to be a Razorback.

Calender, 6-8, 220 pounds, 4. 9 speed in the 40-yard dash, was offered a scholarship by Arkansas on March 14. He played defensive end, tight end and quarterback for the Class 2 A Foxes (12-1 ). He said the Hogs were recruiting him as a defensive end or outside linebacker.

Arizona State, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Baylor, Houston and others showed interest.

Calender, who said his doctor has told him he could grow another 1 to 3 inches, took a tour of Arkansas’ campus and its football facilities with Arkansas assistant coach Bobby Allen during an unofficial visit Friday.

“I had a lot of questions, and he told me what I needed to do,” Calender said. “If I had any questions, I would call him and he would give me answers.

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“ I was highly impressed with the campus. I was impressed also that they’re not just worried about football. They’re also worried about the academics.” Calender rushed 12 times for 72 yards last season, with a long run of 41 yards. He completed 3 of 6 passes for 53 yards and 2 touchdowns and caught 3 passes for 72 yards and 2 touchdowns. On defense, he recorded 80 tackles, 12 sacks and 8 tackles for losses.

His parents also made the trip to Fayetteville.

“They were impressed with the academics they have and the academic center, and that you’re required to study for six hours a week,” Calender said. “They liked that.” Calender said Arkansas ’ football facilities were “amazing.” “The weight room is stateof-the-art,” he said. “Their practice fields are wonderful, they have turf and grass. Their stadium is amazing. It’s all good. “ I was surprised when I got up there, and I just fell in love with it.” Calender said the Razorbacks had better facilities than Texas A&M, where he attended camp last summer. “Arkansas’ facilities just blow their facilities out of the water,” Calender said.

JOHNSON PICKS TEXAS Hoxie defensive tackle Derek Johnson has orally committed to Texas, according to Rivals. com. Johnson, 6-3, 300 pounds, also drew interest from Arkansas, Arkansas State and Mississippi State. He will be a three-year starter for the Mustangs this fall.