Talented O-lineman Ben Mubenga favoring pair

FAYETTEVILLE — Buford (Ga.) offensive lineman Ben Mubenga has moved the Razorbacks up on his list following an official visit this weekend.

Mubenga, 6-5, 280, is an outstanding offensive lineman and is a priority of Sam Pittman and Eric Mateos. He reflected back on the visit.

“The visit was amazing all around,” Mubenga said. “First time out here. I really loved it.”

Where does the Hogs stand following this visit?

“They are tied with Georgia Tech,” Mubenga said. “Right now they are both my one. This visit really helped them. My first to come out here. I had always heard about the place. When you come and see it for yourself it really changes your perspective.”

Mubenga talked about the best part of the visit that moved the Hogs up on his list and what exactly he loved the most about it.

“Just talking to Sam Pittman and (Eric) Mateos too,” Mubenga said. “It was good to talk to them in person. It was good to see what kind of person they are and I really liked what I saw.

“The way they treat O-linemen out here. They put us at the forefront. Most schools don’t. They just forget about us. But here they don’t. You can feel the love everybody was showing you. Everybody on the staff making sure you feel the love.”

Georgia Tech is obviously closer to home than Arkansas. How much of a factor is distance?

“Personally I don’t have a problem coming out here far,” Mubenga said. “My brother is also from Georgia and he’s playing at LSU now. He had to make a transition between being close or going early. I feel like that transition if I do come here will help me grow as a man because I won’t always rely on my parents living this far.”

Distance shouldn’t be an issue for Mubenga considering the journey he and his family made to get to the United States.

“We came here in 2017,” Mubenga said. “All my family is from Congo except my little brother. He was born here. But we came in 2017 because my dad had a dream he wants us to have a better opportunity and education over here. So we came here in 2017 and learned English in about six months. We had to learn English.

“My second oldest brother started playing football his junior year. I played soccer at the time. When I got to high school everyone wanted me to play football because I am so tall. So I started playing my freshman year. I started as a defensive end. I moved to the offensive line my sophomore year and everything has been up from there.”