Bryant likes Hog call, honest Morris

FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas was successful in trying to impress former Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant on his official visit over the weekend.

“It was a really good visit,” Bryant said. “I really enjoyed it from the first second I got here. I love the scenery around the campus, the game, talking to the coaches, it was a really good visit.”

Bryant, 6-3, 225 pounds, announced he was transferring from Clemson after losing his starting job to freshman Trevor Lawrence four games into this season. He expects to finish classes at Clemson, become a graduate transfer and enroll at his new school in January. He will be eligible to play immediately in 2019.

Razorback fans made a strong impression on Bryant during Saturday’s 23-0 victory over Tulsa.

“It made me feel wanted,” Bryant said. “Kind of felt at home. I heard from all the coaches how crazy all the fans get, but you really don’t know until you see it. That was probably one of the most special moments and one of the highlights of the visit.

“I picked up on the Hog call. I was confused at first about what they were saying, but I got it after a few tries.”

Bryant, who was recruited by Arkansas Coach Chad Morris when Morris was offensive coordinator at Clemson, was one of the better quarterbacks in 2017 when he completed 262 of 398 passes for 2,802 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also rushed for 665 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Morris told Bryant during the recruiting process at Clemson that he might not be there when Bryant arrived on campus.

“It means a lot that Morris was honest with me,” Bryant said. “I’ve said that through this process: I don’t want to be recruited, I want to be told the situation from the jump because I’ve been through that phase. I’ve only got one year left.

“Just talking to Coach Morris, he’s always been the same guy, even when he was at other places. It just means a lot, that trust factor. Knowing that you can trust a coach and the coaching staff means a lot.”

Bryant liked what he saw from the Hogs on Saturday.

“They’ve got all the pieces here,” he said. “I feel like if I was to come here I could maybe make a spark, but I feel like all the pieces are around here. I’ve just got to sit down and make sure I dot all my I’s, cross all my T’s. If I come here, I need to make sure I’m making the most out of my opportunity.”

He visited North Carolina the previous weekend and has plans to officially visit Missouri next weekend.

Bryant likes the chemistry with offensive coordinator Joe Craddock.

“He was at Clemson with Coach Morris, so there’s a really good connection there,” Bryant said. “He’s a really great dude, he knows a lot, very knowledgeable.”

INTERESTED LB

Junior-college linebacker Caleb Johnson arrived in Fayetteville on Friday for his official visit to Arkansas with Texas as his leader.

He left Sunday thinking the decision will be much harder.

“It will be too hard, honestly,” Johnson said. “I’m gonna have to think and pray about it a lot.”

Johnson, 6-1, 217 pounds, of Fullerton College in California has scholarship offers from Arkansas, Texas, Colorado, Iowa State, Utah, Ole Miss and others.

“I had a real good time,” Johnson said of Arkansas. “It’a a really good atmosphere and a lot of good people. I enjoyed the game and meeting all the players and coaches.”

He recorded 41 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 1 recovered fumble as a freshman. Johnson said the trip helped Arkansas’ chances.

“It does, definitely,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting that good of a vibe, environment. I will definitely have to think about it a lot.”

Prior to visiting Arkansas, Johnson officially had visited Iowa State, Colorado and Texas while also making an unofficial visit to Alabama. He’s looking at two schools for his final official visit.

“I’m thinking between Oregon or Nebraska,” he said.

Johnson, who plans to graduate in December and enroll at his new school in January, was accompanied by his mother on the trip. He was impressed with defensive coordinator John “Chief” Chavis.

“Chief, I looked him up a long time ago,” Johnson said. “He definitely has the experience. He’s a good guy. I was honestly not expecting that. He’s a real nice guy. The way they go about coaching and calling plays and stuff, they’re a lot of nicer.”

Email Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com