Bobby Petrino Suspended: Marginal Arkansas Recruiting Class On The Line

Though potentially damaging to his reputation and the University of Arkansas, the suspension of Bobby Petrino isn’t likely to have a huge impact on recruiting. Petrino has never been much of a recruiter. His 2012 recruiting class was a major disappointment, as the Razorbacks’ head man followed up two consecutive major bowl season with a recruiting class that failed to crack the top-25 and missed on three tremendous receivers in Courtney Gardner, Dorial Green-Beckham and Zac Brooks, the top player in Arkansas.

The early returns on the 2013 cycle aren’t promising, either, as Petrino and the Razorbacks have yet to land a four-star player and have only two commitments, from three-star receiver Austin Bennett and running back Jamel James.

While Petrino is not much of a recruiter, it should also be noted that the state of Arkansas is not exactly a hotbed for high-school talent. Like fellow SEC school Tennessee, the Razorbacks must get most of their talent from out-of-state. That means dipping into Memphis, Alabama, Louisiana and Texas, facing stiff competition at every turn.

It won’t get easier with an interim coach and an uncertain future, but with just two current commitments, at least the Razorbacks don’t have much of a class to lose.

For more on Hogs football, visit Arkansas blog Arkansas Expats, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.