Flashback: Arkansas Football’s Class of 2018
The Bret Bielema era was over after four seasons, ending in 2017.
Gus Malzahn was – allegedly – the primary target after Bielema’s exit, but Malzahn didn’t want to leave War Eagle after receiving an extension from Auburn. Next on the list, allegedly, was Chad Morris, who became the new head coach, signing a six-year contract in early December 2017.
Despite being an offensive ‘guru’ and successful high school coach, he didn’t pan out. Most of the recruits in his first class were afterthoughts in the grand scheme of things. Only one turned into a diamond and has become a Razorbacks legend.
In hindsight, Morris’s first recruiting class was a sign of what would happen during the 22 games he coached.
No. 1 - Bumper Pool (LB)
Pool came into Arkansas as a four-star recruit. A four-sport athlete out of Texas, Pool turned into one of the best linebackers in history. He became the all-time leading tackler with 441 last season, despite playing injured.
No. 2 - Rakeem Boyd (RB)
No. 3. LaDarrius Bishop (DB)
Bishop was the No. 2 player in the state of Arkansas when he walked onto the campus. He has seen significant time during his seasons on campus, though last year’s injury caused him to miss pretty much the whole year. He’ll have a final shot in 2023.
No. 4 - Mike Woods (WR)
Woods spent three seasons at Arkansas but transferred to Oklahoma after his junior season. His best season was in 2019 when he caught 33 passes for 423 yards and four touchdowns.
No. 5 - Joe Foucha (DB)
Foucha was a three-star recruit and a top-20 player in the state of Louisiana. He spent three seasons in Fayetville, earning a co-defensive player of the week in 2020. He transferred to his home state to play for LSU in his final season last year.
No. 6 - Luke Jones (OL)
Jones spent three seasons at Arkansas after transferring from Notre Dame. He was a utility offensive lineman, seeing action at multiple positions on the offensive line and earned occasional starts.
No. 7 - Isaiah Nichols (DL)
No. 8 - Dorian Gerald (DE)
No. 9 - Andrew Parker (LB)
Parker was a top-30 recruit out of Louisiana and a three-star prospect. He played in 10 games in 2020, then eventually transferred to Appalachian State.
No. 10 - Myles Mason (DB)
Nice and easy pick by Arkansas safety Myles Mason: pic.twitter.com/2MtZIs83KK
— Nikki Chavanelle-Edwards (@NikkiChavanelle) August 27, 2019
Mason was a top-15 prospect out of Alabama, and saw action in nine games in his freshman season then playing in 11 games his sophomore. Mason was expected to have a solid junior but was another victim of the COVID-19 year.
