re: Arkansas Football 2023 Recruiting Thread **WR Dazmin James Commits**

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Arkansas' transfer class landed a late surprise Thursday night when former South Florida linebacker Antonio Grier signed with the Razorbacks. Grier, 6-1, 223, was previously committed to transfer to Central Florida and play for then-defensive coordinator Travis Williams, who now holds the same title with the Hogs.

Grier, who was an All-AAC First Team selection in 2021 according to Pro Football Network, will have one year of eligibility remaining in Fayetteville. The 2018 graduate from Atlanta (Ga.) Mays has 238 career tackles.

Here's more from our USF Bulls site when Grier entered the portal on November 28:

"USF linebacker Antonio Grier entered the NCAA Transfer Portal on Monday, Bulls247 has learned.

He’ll enter the portal as a graduate transfer with one year of eligibility remaining, as the Atlanta native was able to retain his traditional redshirt having played in just three games in the 2022 season.

Grier earned Preseason All-AAC First Team selections from Phil Steele and Athlon Sports, on the heels of a 2021 season where he received an All-AAC First Team selection from Pro Football Network. Unfortunately for the senior, his expected final year did not go the way he wanted.

After missing the Howard and East Carolina games with a hand injury, Grier’s world turned upside down when his father passed away in October. Understandably, he took much-needed time away from the team while he attended to his family, ultimately missing the final eight games of the year.

He recorded 21 tackles in his final season at USF, including a season-high ten in the Bulls’ loss at Florida.

Grier was always heralded as a leader on and off the field. While he was a fan favorite with a bruising, hard-nosed, dogged style of play, Grier was a champion in the community, serving as president of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity - Upsilon Delta Chapter, in addition to serving as the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Chair for the USF Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He’s mentored kids at the Hillsborough County Juvenile Detention Center and at the Boys and Girls Club of Tampa Bay to further his community service around the area outside of the sidelines.

A 92-tackle season in 2021 set a career mark for him, as well as a nine TFL figure, each of which led USF. He finishes his career in Green and Gold with 230 tackles, 23.5 TFL, 10.0 sacks, five forced fumbles and two interceptions in 35 career games.

Grier was a part of USF’s 2018 recruiting class and chose the Bulls over other verbal offers from Georgia Southern, Marshall and UAB, among others.

All of us at Bulls247 wish Grier all the best, as one of the most memorable, passionate USF players in recent memory sets out on the next stage of his career."

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Punter/kicker Devin Bale commits LINK

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UA Game survey: Is the transfer portal affecting recruiting?

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Isaiah Augustave:

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“Yes and no. I didn’t really pay much attention to the transfer portal. My main focus was getting on the field and playing as a freshman, that was all that really mattered to me.”

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UA Game survey: Did NIL rules impact recruiting process?

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Isaiah Augustave:

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“No. Not at all. For me, it was just about my recruitment, having a good bond with the coaches.”

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Bixby (Okla.) four-star tight end Luke Hasz is the highest-ranked player in Arkansas‘ 2023 recruiting class. He’d be the first to admit things got tight late.

Committed to the Razorbacks since January after decommitting from Oklahoma, Alabama made a late push to flip Hasz. The Crimson Tide visited Hasz multiple times near the end, but he ultimately stuck with his long-term decision.

“It was definitely close because Alabama is Alabama at the end of the day,” Hasz, the No. 208 overall player and No. 11 tight end in the 2023 On3 Consensus, said at hotel check-in for the Under Armour All-America Game. “I decided to look at it in the way of what’s best for me and my future. Both were going to be very good for my future, but there were some little things that separated and that’s why I stuck with Arkansas in the end.”

Hasz said that his relationship with the Razorbacks’ coaching staff seems to get better every week but admitted that losing former tight ends coach Dowell Loggains to South Carolina stung. Despite that, Hasz stated that he and new tight ends coach Morgan Turner have built a strong relationship in the short time that he’s been there.

“With his resume, I’m super excited to get up there,” Hasz said. “Arkansas is just perfect if you want coaches who care about you and want you to be your best. The way they developed their tight ends over the last few years was definitely pitched to me for sure.

“They do a great job developing their tight ends and I’m excited to get there so I can get to work and reach my potential.”

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Bixby (Okla.) four-star tight end and Arkansas signee Luke Hasz is excited about the direction of the Arkansas football program.

Alabama heavily coveted Hasz down the stretch leading into the early signing period. Hasz had been committed to Arkansas since January of 2022. Still, the Tide never gave up on recruiting him as both Arkansas and Alabama hosted him for official visits in June and the 'Tide came in twice for in-home visits in December.

However, Hasz decided to stick with the Razorbacks.

“It was getting down to the wire, but I knew I had to go with my heart, and that was Arkansas," Hasz told 247Sports at the Under Armour All-American Game check-in on Thursday.

Why Arkansas?

“The commitment I’ve got from them and the coaching staff. I have really fallen in love with them. I have faith in Coach [Sam] Pittman no matter losing a tight end coach or gaining one. I know Coach [Morgan] Turner is going to do a great job. He has a great resume and I’m super excited to get to work with them.”

Morgan Turner is the new tight ends coach for Arkansas. He repalces Dowell Loggains, who left for South Carolina.

Turner comes from Stanford, and Hasz added that he's ready to work with him and has confidence that he'll do a great job with the room moving forward and help Hasz's development after sending multiple tight ends during his time at Stanford to the NFL.

Hasz, who is listed at 6-foot-3, 245-pounds, loves the fit and how he can be used in Arkansas' offense.

“They’ve been talking to me about using me in space a little more," Hasz said. "With some perimeter blocking and running routes downfield, and even inline because I’ve been doing that in high school.”

“They said I like how I’m physical and play with my hands. I always go and get the ball, and catch away from my body. I’d say I’m more athletic than some of the bulkier tight ends.”

Hasz said the heaviest he got was 245-pounds, and he played this past season at 230-pounds. He said he's shooting to get around 235-pounds once he gets to college and let the Arkansas strength staff do the rest.

Hasz will enroll early at Arkansas next month and is looking forward to getting started. He watched Arkansas' win over Kansas in the Liberty Bowl and belives that victory can spark more momentum in the program heading into the offseason and future years.

“I think it’s great," Hasz said of the bowl victory. "There are sparks there once in a while. We have a chance to be great. I’m excited to get down there and work and help them achieve their goals.”

Per 247Sports, Hasz is listed as the No. 9 tight end in the class of 2023 nationally.

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-There are a handful of “big” running backs in the game, but the ball carrier with the most impressive frame might have been Arkansas signee Isaiah Augustave. He claims that he's under 200 pounds right now, but looks like someone that's eventually going to be able to carry 225 pounds or more.

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Arkansas — RJ Johnson, CB (87): Arkansas brought in a nice cornerback class, and Johnson is likely to get overshadowed. He has a good combo from size and speed and the type of production — 56 tackles and four interceptions in 2022 — you’d like to see from an SEC starting corner.

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Going through camp-like-workouts is tough for running backs and linebackers as there isn’t a lot asked of players at either position. With the UA Next getting deeper into live action, both positions will get more opportunities to show what they can do. For Augustave, the practice reps at the Wide World of Sports complex will give analysts an opportunity to see what he can do outside of a Wing-T offensive set. Going through passing drills, Augustave is showing more of his game with his hands. Through drills, he has looked fast with quick cuts and a great burst.

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Not sure why everyone thinks that we need portal TE's so bad. Him plus Easter are going to demand 10-15 targets a game. I think the new TE coach will get something out of Hudson too.

Hudson in the portal?

Grier apparently opened his recruitment. What a strange situation

Hudson is out of eligibility, I believe.

Hasz should have be a 5* prospect. He was initially in track for that last year, but, amazingly, after he committed, he began dropping to a mid 4*.

In a major WTF moment, Catalon is visiting Purdue of all places as a transfer destination.

Who would want an injury prone player?

I would put him with the training staff 24/7 and keep him here.

If for no other reason, to be an asset to our youngsters. But hopefully for more than that.

Surely Purdue isn't offering great $$$