Arkansas Razorbacks Receive Commitment From Gigantic Tackle Dan Skipper

Dan Skipper was certain he’d be playing football next year for the Tennessee Volunteers.  Well, he now realizes that uncertainty is the only certainty in College Football Recruiting.

After the coaching change up in Knoxville, the star offensive tackle from Ralston Valley High School (Arvada, CO) began looking at the other suitors on his massive offer list, and began seriously considering changing his mind about the Vols.  In the end, the Arkansas Razorbacks were the ideal fit for the utterly gigantic lineman (6’10” 300lbs).

The Hawgs beat out the Michigan Wolverines, Ohio State Buckeyes and Ole Miss Rebels for Skipper.  One of the biggest selling points were some of the new additions to the Razorbacks staff.  New offensive line coach Sam Pittman and new offensive coordinator Jim Chaney were both on the Vols coaching staff when Skipper was committed to Tennessee.  The academic life in Fayetteville also appealed to Skipper, who plans on majoring in Material Science Engineering (whatever that means).

This is a tremendous pickup for new Hogs coach Bret Bielema, who made a name for himself developing elite offensive linemen with the Wisconsin Badgers, and is wasting no time building a similar line at Arkansas.  Earlier last week, Bielema received a verbal commitment from one of the best guards in the country, Reeve Koehler, from Honolulu, Hawai’i.

Skipper is a very intriguing prospect for the Razorbacks.  He’s got a tremendous frame, there’s no denying that, but he’ll need to gain some weight and get stronger.  He’s got good athleticism but will need to have quicker feet in order to deal with the edge rushers of the SEC.

Arkansas now has 17 commitments heading into the last full week of recruiting, a number Bielema will certainly be looking to increase with his first class.