North Carolina defensive end commitment Nick Fulwider visits Razorbacks
Chad Morris and his staff entertained 10 prospects on official visits over the weekend, his first group of visitors as the coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks.
North Carolina defensive end commitment Nick Fulwider, 6-7, 245 pounds, 4.79 in the 40-yard dash, of Tyrone (Ga.) Sandy Creek and his mother, Diahann, made the trip to Fayetteville and left impressed.
“This official was amazing,” Fulwider said. “I could not ask for anything more really. It was everything I expected plus more.”
He and his mother visited the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and former coach Bret Bielema and defensive line coach John Scott in June. The latest trip gave him an opportunity to get to know Morris and his staff.
“Considering we don’t know who the D-line coach is and everything like that, I kind of came in with an uncertainty of like ‘Oh, I don’t really know these coaches and I am going to feel like a stranger,’ ” said Fulwider, who’s being recruited by Bobby Allen. “But they showed me so much love from the time we walked in. I just appreciate the whole coaching staff. The coaches that Coach Morris brought in.”
Fulwider has more than 20 scholarship offers from schools such as Arkansas, North Carolina, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Louisville, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Tennessee and others.
He plans to sign Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period.
“I am still committed to UNC until further notice,” Fulwider said.
Fulwider and his mother felt comfortable in Fayetteville.
“This feels like home to us,” he said.
NICHOLS READY
Springdale defensive lineman Isaiah Nichols realized a dream when he committed to the Hogs during the summer, and after his official visit over the weekend, he’s ready to get started.
He along with five other Hog commitments were able to spend time with one another.
“I think this is gonna be the class that brings back the program coming in with Coach Morris,” Nichols said. “We have a lot of guys that believe in the program and are dedicated. Ready to get this show on the road.”
Nichols, 6-3, 265, chose the Hogs over 12 scholarship offers from schools such as Missouri, North Carolina State, Indiana, Kansas, Memphis, Tulsa and others. He liked having the opportunity to bond with other future Razorbacks.
“They are a bunch of cool dudes,” Nichols said. “We got along well. Just a bunch of us hanging out having a good time.”
IN-STATE OFFER
Camden Fairview offensive tackle Stacey Wilkins became the fifth in-state prospect in the junior class to receive a scholarship offer from the Hogs when Coach Chad Morris informed him of the offer Sunday.
In a first for Camden Fairview Coach Jake Monden, he received a call from a college coach asking for permission to offer one of his players when Morris inquired about Wilkins.
“He called me and asked me what I thought about Stacey and also asked me if it would be all right if he offered a scholarship to him and what I thought about that,” Monden said. “They’re excited about him. It was pretty neat that Coach Morris called me and asked for my approval in offering him a scholarship. I thought that was really, really classy, and I think the Razorbacks got a tremendous coach.”
Wilkins, 6-7, 275, also has offers from Memphis, Arkansas State University, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana-Monroe and Texas State. He’s cousins with former Razorback and NFL offensive lineman Shawn Andrews.
The offer was a dream come true for Wilkins, who plans to visit Fayetteville in February and likely commit.
“It’s an exciting deal for him,” Monden said. “I know he grew up a Razorback fan. With the changes in the program right now we didn’t know if or when it was going to come, but the work he’s put in the last year and half I’ve been here at Camden, I feel like he’s deserving of this offer.” Wilkins graded out at 84 percent while having 46 pancake blocks and 89 knockdowns this season. Morris likes Wilkins’ athleticism.
“One thing he pointed out was Stacey’s ability to bend,” Monden said. “Obviously his length and just the fact how much he has changed from his sophomore highlights compared to his junior highlights and how nasty he is.”
Monden said Wilkins has made strides in the Cardinals’ offseason program.
“He’s already had a tremendous winter,” Monden said. “I think he inclined 315 or 320 [pounds] so he’s really starting to catch some mass, and he’s 15 pounds heavier than he was over the summer.”