Blair Irvin III gives Arkansas visit high marks, down to 3 schools

FAYETTEVILLE — Bentonville wide receiver Blair Irvin III made the short trip down to Fayetteville for his official visit this weekend.

Irvin, 6-1, 180, caught 50 passes for 850 yards and 10 touchdowns this past season while helping his team compete for a state championship. How did this weekend’s official visit go?

“It went great,” Irvin said. “Built a different relationship with the coaches I haven’t had before. Like spread out throughout the entire coaching staff. All genuine people. Coach (Sam) Pittman took time out of his day each day to get some personal time in with me. I had some good conversations with him. I plan on taking all my other official visits, but if the time comes and I make my final decision I will be ready.”

Ronnie Fouch is his lead recruiter and would be his position coach at Arkansas. Fouch provided the highlight for Irvin.

“Highlight of the trip for me was probably when we first got here that first night meeting all the recruits and building a relationship with them,” Irvin said. “Getting the scoop on everything and introducing all the coaches. That was a good time for me and my family to build a deep relationship with Coach Fouch.”

At Arkansas, Irvin would play in Bobby Petrino’s offense. Irvin admits that’s something he has thought about.

“Everyone around college football respects his game style and the way he plays a pro-style, NFL offense,” Irvin said. “Getting in that system would be great.”

His player host was wide receiver CJ Brown who also played at Bentonville.

“I was with him all weekend,” Irvin said. “He was a great host for me, but we’ve always had a relationship so coming down here wasn’t really anything. I can come down anytime of the weekend and kick it with him.”

While distance to home was big for Brown when he went through the recruiting process, but not so much for Irvin.

“I like to know if I was out of state they would still mess with me the same way,” Irvin said. “I try to leave that out as much as I can. It’s obviously great to be close to home to my family, but if the school is giving me a better opportunity I’m not scared to take it.”

Irvin wasn’t born in Arkansas, but instead in a neighboring state.

“Yes most of my years were here,” Irvin said. “I moved from Missouri like in second grade. I’ve been to Bentonville High School since third grade. I never really had a favorite college team, but everyone around me loves the Razorbacks so it kinda wore off on me a little bit. It’s a great program for sure.”

Irvin talked about what is next for him in recruiting and when he might make a decision.

“I have two more official visits,” Irvin said. “University of South Florida next weekend and the weekend after that Kansas State. So, we’ll see how those go.

“I don’t have a particular date right now. Will talk to my family. Just go on these OV’s and see how it goes. If something feels right then it feels right.”

Click here for Irvin’s highlights.