Putting together a recruiting class will be the biggest challenge for the new University of Arkansas head coach. The early signing period, which began two recruiting cycles ago, makes it much more difficult.
Former Arkansas coaches Bobby Petrino and Bret Bielema put together impressive first-year recruiting classes when the signing day was on the first Wednesday in February. Petrino signed ESPN's No. 26 class nationally in 2008 and No. 5 in the SEC, while Bielema inked the No. 31 class in the nation and No. 12 in the SEC.
Petrino was aided by a strong in-state class that included Jarius Wright, Tyler Wilson, Dennis Johnson, Greg Childs, Chris Gragg and Joe Adams.