Football signing class ranks among best

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas 2009 football signing class finished among the top programs nationally and as one of the best in school history according to numerous recruiting services. The Razorback coaching staff took an aggressive approach and added some of the nation’s top-rated talent.

“There is no question we can recruit the best athletes,” said head coach Bobby Petrino. “We want to compete just like it is a game and go in there and compete for the best guys. I truly believe if we get them here on campus and they get to see the city of Fayetteville and the surrounding area their eyes open up. I’m proud of the coaches. We went out and identified the players in our areas and found players that could help us win and compete for a national championship. Now our expectations get higher.”

Experts around the nation agreed that the signing class ranked extremely high. The notes below breakdown the class of 2009:

Arkansas RankingsRivals.com –15th as of 2/5 (2004 – 22nd, 2005 – 24th, 2006 – 26th, 2007 – 31st, 2008 – 36th)Scout.com – 19th as of 2/5 (2004 – 27th, 2005 – 32nd, 2006 – 30th, 2007 – 34th, 2008 – 24th)

Coach Petrino Rankings Rivals.com –15th as of 2/5 (2003 – 35th, 2004 – 64th, 2005 – 45th, 2006 – 34th, 2008 – 36th)Scout.com – 19th as of 2/5 (2003 – 48th, 2004 – 54th, 2005 – 43rd, 2006 – 26th, 2008 – 24th)

Notes*The 2009 Arkansas recruiting class is the first to be ranked in the top 20 by Rivals.com since the network started in May of 2001.

*Arkansas’ 2009 signing class includes players from eight different states. (Arkansas, California, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas).

*Eight players in the 2009 signing class have won or played for a championship on the high school or junior college level.

*For the second straight year, the Razorback coaching staff signed every recruit in the state of Arkansas that was targeted.

*The 2009 Arkansas class includes five players from the state of Florida bringing Coach Petrino’s total over the past two signing classes to six. Coach Petrino has signed more players from Florida than Arkansas did from 2001-2007 combined (four total).

*Arkansas signed as many players from the state of Florida as did Alabama, LSU and Georgia combined.

*Ronnie Wingo Jr. is the first player to sign with Arkansas from Missouri since Desmond Sims (Libourn, Mo.) was a part of the class of 2002.

*Arkansas signees Andru Stewart and John Henderson are the first players to come to Arkansas who are from the state of California since Darius Vinnett (Coalinga, Calif.) signed in 2004.

*In records dating back to 2001 for Rivals.com and Scout.com, Darius Winston is the only five-star recruit on defense to sign with the Razorbacks. Winston is the first player who received five-stars by both outlets to sign with Coach Petrino during his career.

*The list of Arkansas signees includes players that were also considering numerous major programs including the following: USC, Florida, Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas, Michigan, Miami (Fla.), LSU, Georgia, Ohio State, Penn State, Missouri, Kansas, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Nebraska, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Arizona State, Oregon, West Virginia, Illinois, Georgia Tech, Texas Tech, Auburn, California, Minnesota, Florida State, Utah, Clemson and Tennessee.

*Arkansas signed nine players who are 6-5 or taller and seven players who weigh 300-or-more pounds.