Arkansas’ genuine staff, run game has Baxter high on Hogs

ESPN 4-star operating again goal Cedric Baxter Jr.’s go to to Arkansas has the Razorbacks in his high 5, and he plans to return for an official go to. 

He arrived in Fayetteville on Thursday has been in a position to spend appreciable time with Coach Sam Pittman, operating backs coach Jimmy Smith, particular groups coordinator Scott Fountain and different employees members. 

“Nice individuals, actual individuals,” Baxter stated Friday night. “Every little thing feels real. It doesn’t really feel faux. You may’t actually describe actual, you simply really feel it. From Coach Pitt to the power and conditioning coaches, they’re all actual.” 

Baxter, 6-1, 215, of Orlando (Fla.) Edgewater, has gives from Arkansas, Florida, Southern Cal, Georgia, Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, Florida State, Miami, Clemson, Georgia Tech and quite a few different packages. 

He visited the Razorbacks final July and attended their victory over Texas A&M in Arlington, Texas. Seeing Arkansas lead the SEC and Energy 5 colleges in speeding caught his consideration. 

“The final time I got here the season hadn’t began as a result of I got here in the summertime, however I watched them this yr they usually led the SEC in speeding and the Energy 5 in speeding,” he stated. “I’m a operating again, so I wish to run the ball.” 

Pittman’s background as an offensive line coach additionally helped the Razorbacks’ trigger. 

“Then on high of that, Coach Pitt (was an) O-line coach, so you realize he needs to run the ball,” stated Baxter, who plans to depart Saturday morning. 

The statewide concentrate on Razorback athletics was evident when he and his household attended the primary a part of Arkansas’ baseball recreation in opposition to LSU with Smith and Fountain. 

“I simply went to the baseball recreation and other people there knew me,” Baxter stated. “They had been strolling up shaking my hand and saying hey and stuff like that.”

The fan assist is one other promoting level for this system.  

“It means quite a bit as a result of that reveals they take note of soccer and recruits and recruiting,” Baxter stated. 

ESPN charges him the No. 4 operating again nationally. Baxter rushed 202 instances for 1,718 yards and 26 touchdowns as a junior.

He introduced on Twitter he was down to 5 colleges throughout right this moment’s go to, with Arkansas holding one of many spots. Baxter is uncertain when he’ll launch his different high 4 colleges. 

He defined why the Razorbacks are one among his high colleges. 

“Like I stated, they’re actual,” Baxter stated. “Coach Jimmy Smith has been recruiting me since Day 1 and he by no means stops.” 

Smith has quite a few relations and buddies in South Florida and his spouse, Quanisha, is from Miami. Baxter’s reference to Smith and Fountain are key causes for Arkansas being in good standing with him. 

“Coach Smith, we’re each from Florida, so I can relate to him,” Baxter stated. “I hold saying actual however he’s an actual individual, too. Coach Fountain, my coaches know him. Our OC is aware of him. He tells me quite a bit about him and what an excellent individual he’s.” 

Baxter doesn’t have a particular timeframe for his school resolution.  

“When the time is correct. When God tells me the time is correct,” he stated