University of Arkansas linebackers coach Rion Rhoades successfully recruited preseason junior-college All-American linebacker Gereme Spraggins once, and he’s hoping for a repeat performance.
Spraggins, 6-2, 240 pounds, signed with Rhoades and Hutchinson Community College in Kansas out of Odenton, Md. He recorded a team-leading 70 tackles along with 11 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 2 recovered fumbles and an interception as a freshman.
Rhoades joined Coach Sam Pittman’s staff in Fayetteville in December after 13 years as the head coach at Hutchinson. Shortly afterward, he offered a scholarship to Spraggins.
“I’m highly interested because Rhoades was my former head coach, and we had the relationship at Hutchinson because he recruited me from high school,” Spraggins said.