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Former University of Arkansas safety Marcus Wimberly returns to Fayetteville on Friday and Saturday since recruiting resumed on Dec. 1.
Wimberly, a 6-foot, 200-pound native of Bauxite, committed to the Razorbacks during the Hogwild Hangout in late July but later withdrew his commitment.
He and his father, Tommy, the Bauxite’s offensive coordinator, watched Arkansas’ spring practice on Friday and spent time with co-defensive coordinator Travis Williams and Ma Cus Woodson and secondary coach Deron Wilson spend time together.
“Just being able to see Coach Woodson, Coach Wilson and Coach Williams [watch] training,” Wimberly said of the visit. “A lot of times you see players who are kind of like two different people – they have the recruiting side and they have the coaching side, and Coach Woodson, Coach Wilson and Coach Williams are all going to be one and the same.
“They’re going to treat you with sincerity and shoot you straight, and they’re going to train you hard and want you to be a great young man and a great football player.”
Wimberly also said he felt like he was a priority when it came to spending time with his coach.
“Just going back there can spark relationships again,” he said. “They really made me feel wanted and their intention was to make everyone a pig again. I really enjoyed coming back to them.”
He initially chose the Hogs over scholarship offers from Michigan State, Memphis, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Sam Houston State, Tennessee-Martin and later added Oklahoma State, Ole Miss , Tennessee, Southern Methodist University, Wisconsin, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and other scholarships.
Wimberly was a versatile performer for the Miners last season, recording 12 tackles, one tackle for loss and a fumble recovery while also rushing 74 times for 533 yards and 15 touchdowns, including 28 While catching the ball for 302 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also completed 9-of-15 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown.
Two recruiting services rated Wimberley as a three-star recruit, while Rivals ranked him as a four-star prospect and the ninth-ranked athlete nationally.
He stood out last summer at Arkansas training camp when he ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash, had a 38-inch vertical jump and went 10-2 in the broad jump. Arkansas coach Sam Pittman extended the offer after he tested out and performed well in one-on-one defense.
Wimberly reunited with several Razorback players who also went through the recruiting process before reporting to Fayetteville in January.
“It’s really cool to get to know half the team,” he said. “Last year I was recruited with guys who were working as hard as C.J. Brown. K.J. Jackson, Kavion Henderson, Charlie Collins and Braylen Russell. It was really cool to be able to talk to them and see what the situation was like out there. Because now they’re not with you. Being recruited together, they’re doing the real deal. So to say that I know these guys and have a relationship with them, it’s really cool.”
He said he hears a glow from the current Hogs.
“They said they loved it,” Wimberly said. “They said they couldn’t find a better place and they really loved the brotherhood there. That was it. We talked and learned about life.”
He also expressed appreciation for the way coaches develop players off the field.
“They don’t want you to be just a great football player. They want to develop you into a great young man,” Wimberly said. “I was able to attend a meeting with Coach Woodson [Friday] I learned a lot from talking balls. Something that helps me become better. “
Wimberly spoke about the Hogs’ stance with him while revealing he plans to return for an official visit in June.
“I really like it,” Wimberly said. “This is my hometown, so I’m very proud of it. As I move forward, I’m just going to take it one step at a time. I’ve also scheduled an official visit there this weekend. So I’ll be there on June 21st Be there on the 23rd, excited about it. I’m super excited for Arkansas. I’m looking forward to continuing this process with them. I’m just taking it one step at a time and seeing where the Lord leads me.”
On March 4, he mentioned that he would soon be reducing the list of schools.
“Not sure yet. Probably around April,” Wimberly said.
Email Richard Davenport at [email protected]
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