Hogs make Louisiana corner Anding a priority
University of Arkansas 2025 cornerback target Aidan Anding has only been communicating with leader recruiter and secondary coach Deron Wilson for about a month, but trust is strong between the two. Anding, 6-0, 165 pounds, of Ruston (La.) received a scholarship offer from Wilson on Jan. 31. He also has 13 others offers including from TCU, Miami, Ole Miss, Baylor and Houston.
He described Wilson as a recruiter.
“Cool, he’s a real cool man,” Anding said. “Like when he calls, he’ll give me some pointers that will help me. Like stay focus as an athlete and things I need to watch as I’m going through the recruiting process. When he calls, I get excited. He really cares about me.”
Anding, who has a 3.4 grade point average, said he talks to Wilson and co-defensive coordinator Marcus Woodson daily.
“Like our bond is really tight,” Anding said. “It’s like they’re coaches I’ve been knowing for a long time with the way they communicate. I can talk to them like I’ve been knowing them for a long time but it’s only been like a couple of weeks or probably a month. They’ve really become a part of the family.”
About a year ago, he wasn’t on any colleges’ radar because he specialized in basketball and hadn’t played football in high school until his junior season.
He made an immediate impact and was a big part of why the Bearcats went 14-0 last year and captured the school’s first state championship in 33 years.
Anding had a key 54-yard punt return for a score before halftime in Ruston’s 31-17 victory over Zachary in the championship game. Of the four major recruiting services, only 247Sports has rated him so far. The site lists him as a 3-star prospect.
The daily communication with the Hogs makes Anding feel like he’s a priority.
“It makes me feel like I can be a part of their program. I can trust them,” said Anding, who had 34 tackles, 9 pass breakups and 4 interceptions last season. “Not only are they building a relationship with me, they’re trying to build a relationship with my family and the people around me. So that makes me feel like I can trust them. I know the coaches will help me develop not only as a player but as a young man.”
In addition to talking to him, Anding said Wilson and Woodson include his parents, little brother and grandmother in the recruiting process.
The NCAA dead period, which forbids on- and off-campus visits, began Feb. 5 and ends March 3. Anding said he’ll be in Fayetteville soon.
“I’ll be there sometime in March,” Anding said.
Anding also participates in track and field and has a best of 22 feet, 5 inches in the long jump despite limited activity in the event.
“I’m in basketball too, so I don’t have a lot of practices in the long jump to progress like I need to,” Anding said. “Last year when I jumped 225, I only did four track meets. A regular-season track meet, I did district and I qualified for regionals and then I went to state. I’m going to jump 23 this year though.”
Wilson talks up Anding’s skills at cornerback.
“Press man coverage and the way I go after the ball,” said Anding of what impresses Wilson.