After his Florida Gators beat Arkansas 71-63 Saturday at Walton Arena, Coach Todd Golden said:
“I think the strength of Arkansas team, from my perspective, is their ability to penetrate and get downhill and get to the rim.
Arkansas class of 2025 cornerback target Caleb Chester visited the Razorbacks on April 8 and left Fayetteville rating the trip a perfect 10.
Chester, 6-1, 175 pounds, of Missouri City (Texas) Fort Bend Marshall, said one of the things that impressed was the way Razorbacks co-defensive coordinator Marcus Woodson and secondary coach Deron Wilson conducted practice.
“It was great – 10 out of 10,” Chester said. “It was just the environment. I really liked the atmosphere. I loved the way Coach Woodson and Coach Wilson were coaching. I also have a relationship with some of the players up there, so that made it an even better experience because I kind of knew some of the people.”
He said he’s familiar with Houston native and Arkansas senior cornerback Dwight McGlothern.
“He was just telling me he really liked it a lot,” Chester said. “It was really different from LSU and it’s a real nice place.”
McGlothern started his college career with the Tigers before transferring to Arkansas prior to the 2022 season. He had a team-high four interceptions last season.
More from WholeHogSports: Razorbacks gain commitment from transfer kicker | Hollan showed signs prior to his gem vs. Gamecocks
Chester has scholarship offers from Arkansas, Texas A&M, Washington, Florida State, Auburn, Ole Miss, Arizona State, Houston and other schools. He received his Florida State offer last summer, when Woodson was on the Seminoles’ staff.
“I talk to Coach Woodson a lot,” said Chester, who noted Wilson recently visited his school. “I like him a lot. I first started talking to Coach Woodson when he was at Florida State.”
When he announced plans on Twitter to visit the Razorbacks, Chester said he made sure to tag Razorbacks defensive analyst Nicholas Mathews.
“Coach Mathews was the first coach I initially talked to,” Chester said. “He set up the visit and actually introduced me to the others. Coach Mathews is a very good person and coach.’’
Chester, who also visited Houston and Florida State this spring, said a tour of Arkansas’ facilities didn’t happen during his visit because of a long talk with head coach Sam Pittman in his office.
“I was supposed to tour the facility, but I ended up talking to Coach Pittman for an hour and 30 minutes, so that kind of took time away from that,” Chester said. “I really wan’t tripping too much on that because that was a good trade right there. He really wasn’t talking nothing football-related.
“I always like where I’m at on the board and he was telling me I’m at the top of their board. My offer is committable. I can commit to today if I wanted to. I really like Coach Pittman a lot.”
More from WholeHogSports: Top hoops prospect has Hogs in top 6
Speed isn’t an issue for Chester, who reports running 10.8 seconds in the 100 meters and 22.7 in the 200 this spring. He had limited opportunities to run because of spring football practice.
Chester said he grew up looking up to his older brother, defensive back Jacobe Chester, who entered the NCAA transfer portal on April 13 after spending one year at Sam Houston State.
“Ever since I was little, whatever my brother wanted to do, I wanted to do,” Chester said. “Football was never really in my mind until my brother started playing. He was real good, so I wanted to do what he was doing, and ever since then he always taught me everything he was learning.
“I think that’s one thing that always gave me an advantage.”
Another trip to Fayetteville appears to be on the horizon.
“I plan on going back there about June, because when I first went up there, it was just me and my dad,” he said. “I want to get back up there with mom, too.”
Chester said he values his education the same as football.
“I’m in an early college program, so when I graduate I’ll have an associates degree and my college diploma,” said Chester, who has a 3.0 grade point average. “Everything I take is college and AP honors classes.”
He is strongly considering business as his major in college.
“I like real estate and stuff like that, and markets and stocks,” Chester said.
LAFAYETTE — The Louisiana women’s basketball team is off to its best Sun Belt Conference start since 2020, holding a 4-1 record as they aim to replicate the success that led them to a regular-season title just three years ago.
However, the Cajuns face a critical 11-day stretch as the team will take on Arkansas State and Troy twice, both teams boasting potent offenses ranked second and fourth in the conference, respectively.
Head coach Garry Brodhead emphasizes that defense will be the key to weathering this challenging stretch.
“Anytime that you have any type of system, if the kids believe in it, it seems like it works a little bit better or a lot better,” Brodhead said. “On the road, that’s one of the things that we really, really preach. You know, we may not be making shots like we’re capable of… but you can always defend.”
The coach acknowledged the difficulties posed by Arkansas State and Troy, pointing out changes in the Red Wolves’ system, which now prioritizes a faster pace, three-point shooting, and relentless pressing.
“Troy is a tough team to play,” Brodhead added. “Both games will be tough. Can we withstand that, especially from the first game to the second game?”
The Cajuns’ pivotal run begins Wednesday in Jonesboro, where they’ll face Arkansas State at 7 p.m. A strong showing could position Louisiana for second place in the standings, trailing only James Madison.
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After his Florida Gators beat Arkansas 71-63 Saturday at Walton Arena, Coach Todd Golden said:
“I think the strength of Arkansas team, from my perspective, is their ability to penetrate and get downhill and get to the rim.
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