Arkansas State Recruiting: Gus Malzahn’s First Class Taking Great Form

As the offensive coordinator for Auburn less than a year ago Gus Malzahn was helping build a highly ranked recruiting class for the BCS defending national champion Tigers.

Now the first year head coach at Arkansas State is trying to build a highly ranked recruiting class for the defending Sun Belt Champion Red Wolves.

Oh, how times have changed.

Malzahn’s 2011 recruiting class with SEC West power Auburn was ranked No. 7 by Rivals.com and No. 2 by Scout.com. Of the 12 high school players designated for offense, two were considered 5-star prospects- offensive guard Christian Westerman and quarterback Kiehl Frazier. Seven 4-star players were signed along with three 3-star recruits.

With one week left in before National Signing Day, Malzahn has 23 verbal commitments and has the Red Wolves ranked No. 78 in recruiting.

Without a closer look into the ASU recruiting situation, one may feel bad for the new head coach. The rankings do not tell the entire story. Malzahn appears to be building a winner in Jonesboro.

In 2011 Arkansas State finished the recruiting season tied for the 101st best or worst class, depending on one’s outlook, out of 120 Division 1-A college football teams. The Red Wolves signed 24 players in total. 10 of those signees were out of the junior college ranks. None scouted higher than a 3-star.

Arkansas State finished recruiting ranked No. 106 with the third best talent haul in the Sun Belt Conference in 2010.

Do not pity Gus Malzahn. If you are an opposing coach you should fear him.

ASU currently leads the Sun Belt in recruiting per Scout.com, highlighted by six 3-star players who have verbally pledged their college careers to Malzahn. Still a far cry from his time at Auburn but with two scholarship spots left ASU is within current striking distance of named schools like Wake Forest, Iowa State, and Connecticut.

Not impressed yet? ASU is ranked ahead of teams like Kansas State, Kansas, and Memphis; teams with much greater tradition and name power than the defending Sun Belt champs.

Breaking Down the Class

Two junior college transfers should help the Red Wolves defense next season. 3-star defensive tackle Dexter Blackmon, 6’2”, 285 pounds, from Coffeyville, Kansas and middle linebacker Eddie Porter, 6’3”, 235 pounds, from Blinn College.

Blinn College defensive ends John Gandy, 6’0”, 245, pounds and Ishmael Hayes 6’6”, 245 pounds will via for playing time next season. Lawrence Cayou, 6’5”, 265 pounds, from Highland, Kansas is another junior college transfer looking for playing time at defensive end.

ASU took a couple of in-state 3-star players to help out, offensive tackle Jemar Clark, 6’6”, 280 pounds, from McCrory and cornerback Marquis Walker, 6’0”, 170 pounds, from Rison.

What good is a potent offense without a quarterback to run it? Malzahn has two quarterbacks on his list to help build his program around with Jalen Whitlow, 3-star from Prattville, Alabama and Fredi Knighten, 2-star from Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The following is a complete list of the 14 remaining verbal commitments:

RB Kendrick Daniels, 3-star, 5’7”, 150 pounds, Sulphur Springs, Texas

RB Quintavius Burdette, 2-star, 5’10”, 179 pounds, Senatobia, Miss

RB DeKeathan Williams, 2-star, 6’2”, 205 pounds, West Helena, Ark

RB Todd Mays, 2-star, 5’11”, 205 pounds, Olive Branch, Miss

RB Michael Gordon, 2-star, 5’11”, 180 pounds, Camden, Miss

WR Warren Leapheart, Not Ranked, 6’5”, 205 pounds, Morrilton, Ark

WR Bralon Roberts, 2-star, 6’5”, 185 pounds, Dallas, Texas

C Bryce Giddens, 2-star, 6’0”, 265 pounds, Moultrie, Georgia

OG Colton Jackson, 2-star, 6’4”, 250 pounds, Ozark, Ark

OG Michael Flint, 2-star, 6’4”, 303 pounds, Oxford, Alabama

OT Devin Mondie, 2-star, 6’6”, 300 pounds, Olive Branch, Miss

LB Quanterio Heath, 2-star, 6’2”, 200 pounds, Rison, Ark

CB Derek Keaton, 2-star, 5’11”, 165 pounds, Camden, Ark

DT Tevin Bryson, 2-star, 6’4”, 285 pounds, Humboldt, Tenn

National Signing Day is Feb. 1. All commitments are verbal and non-binding. 

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