Georgia standout first UA commit for 2020

The University of Arkansas’ first commitment of the 2020 class comes from Georgia.

Receiver Ze’Vian Capers, 6-4, 205 pounds, 4.61 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Alpharetta (Ga.) Denmark chose the Hogs over scholarship offers from Florida, Clemson, Louisville, Virginia, South Carolina, Michigan State and others.

“It’s a great thing to be the first one in the 2020 class,” Capers said. “I hope I can help us land another great recruiting class like they had this year.”

He and his parents visited the Hogs for the LSU game in November,

“It just felt like a family environment,” Capers said. “Even though they didn’t have a great season and went 2-10, their fans are just very genuine and supportive and care about their football players and want what is best for their football program. That is something that I just want to be a part of.”

Capers, who’s expected to visit Arkansas on March 9, has a bond with receivers coach Justin Stepp.

“Me and Coach Stepp kind of keep in contact every single day,” Capers said. “We text each other and sometime we even face time each other. It is more than just a player coach relationship. It is more like a family relationship. He treats me like I am his own son. That’s just the main thing.”

Capers had 62 receptions for 1,187 yards and 11 touchdowns while having 58 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and 3 pass breakups at safety as a junior to help the Danes to a 5-5 record.

Denmark Coach Terry Crowder, an graduate of Arkansas, believes the Hogs are getting a special player.

“He will be a great ambassador for the Hogs,” Crowder said. “A special athlete that can takeover a game. Tremendous and physical player that loves to compete.”

Former Razorback defensive lineman Patrick Jones is the defensive line coach at the school. Capers’ cousin Gabbi lives in Fayetteville and is married to Arkansas strength assistant Chad Cain.

“They kind of talked about their time at Arkansas, especially Coach Jones,” Capers said. “He just kind of gave me some information on how the Arkansas fans are and what it is like to be a Razorback. Same with Coach Crowder, but they always were going to support my decision no matter where I would go. That’s the main important thing.”

Oral commitments are non-binding.