Razorbacks make Tennessee lineman’s top-10 list.
The Arkansas Razorbacks will host one of their top 2018 football targets, offensive lineman Jerome Carvin, and his father LeMark for an unofficial visit today.
Carvin, 6-5, 330 pounds, of Cordova, Tenn., narrowed his list of more than 20 scholarship offers to 10 earlier in the week and the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville was one of them, along with Alabama, Auburn, Memphis, Michigan, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, South Carolina and Tennessee.
He has a 3.5 grade-point average and is considering majoring in marketing or sports administration.
“I want to experience what it is like to be a football player at the University of Arkansas and check out academics, particularly in what I’m going to major in,” Carvin said.
Carvin said he also wants to watch film with Arkansas offensive line coach Kurt Anderson.
“Get a feel of how they will use me on the O-line and hang out with some of the coaches and have a great time,” he said.
He plans to graduate in December and enroll in the school of his choice. Carvin looks to have a busy summer on his hands.
“I’ll try to visit everyone on my top 10 this summer,” Carvin said.
Tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. and Anderson stopped by Carvin’s school during the spring evaluation. He said he eventually plans to narrow his list of potential schools to five.
“They will be my official visits and I’ll pick which school from there,” Carvin said.
He and Arkansas freshman running back Chase Hayden, who attended St. George’s Independent School in Collierville, Tenn., have been communicating on Twitter.
“We [direct message] each other like a week ago and we was just talking about was I interested and when will I visit,” Carvin said.
Carvin said he sees major benefits in enrolling in college early and getting a ahead start as a freshman
“I think it’s good because I think the transition from high school to college is huge, so getting a jump on that and getting used to the college and the student athlete part of it will be major,” he said. “Also being able to get in the strength and conditioning program earlier is big, too, as well as learning the playbook and going through possibly bowl practice and spring practice.”
Former Arkansas offensive linemen Travis Swanson and Sebastian Tretola are returning to Fayetteville to help tutor some of the high school prospects at today’s Trench Hog offensive and defensive linemen camp.
Defensive lineman Trey Flowers, who won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots last season, and New York Giants defensive lineman Robert Thomas are also expected to take part.
Swanson, who’s entering his fourth season with the Detroit Loins, signed with the Hogs in 2009 out of Kingwood, Texas, and went on to be a four-year starter and a two-time All SEC selection before being a third-round pick by the Lions in 2014.
He played his last season as a Hog for Coach Bret Bielema.
“It is an honor for me to come back and help at the offensive line and defensive line camp,” said Swanson, who has started 31 of 42 games in Detroit. “There wasn’t any hesitation at all when Coach Bielema asked me if I could come help with it. I am a Razorback at heart. I will definitely take advantage of any chance I have to help the program.”
Tretola was named a second-team Associated Press All-American as a senior for the Razorbacks before being drafted in the sixth round by the Tennessee Titans in 2016.
“I definitely can’t wait to get back to Fayetteville,” Tretola said. “I always a fun time working with the young bucks. The minute Coach B calls me, I’ll be there every time.”
Tretola didn’t hesitate in saying what he plans to emphasize to the high school campers.
“Hands, hands, hands,” he said. “The biggest think I’ve picked up and learned is that you have to be amazing with your hands. Obviously, footwork and knowing your playbook is the most preached about, but your hand placement is huge.”
E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com