Arkansas is expected to host a total of at least eight transfers (VIP) on official visits in a three-day span, and one of the Razorbacks’ most wanted has already wrapped up his time on The Hill. Massive offensive lineman and Mississippi State transfer Percy Lewis had an abbreviated stay in Fayetteville, but it sounds like a strong impression was made by new offensive line coach Eric Mateos and the Hogs.
“I really like it, man,” Lewis said. “I came on campus, the coaches were talking to me pretty good. I’m just ready to work now, man. I’m just ready for the season to start.”
Lewis, a 6-8, 345-pounder who started eight of 25 games played during his time in Starkville, was originally scheduled for one-day visits at Auburn and Ole Miss after leaving Fayetteville. Now, he’s canceled his plans with the Tigers but still plans to check out Lane Kiffin’s Rebels.
“I might (pull the trigger on an Arkansas commitment),” Lewis said. “I like it. I’m just going to go back, talk to the coaches and get more information. Just taking everything in, what they’re telling me, and weighing my options. But I really like it.
“I’m supposed to be going to Ole Miss tomorrow — yeah, Friday. I might take a few more visits this weekend, I don’t know yet. I might just go on and close it up Saturday.”
Lewis is a Sallis (Miss.) native who spent two years at Mississippi Gulf Coast while becoming the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect in the junior college rankings of 2022. The tackle is left with one year of eligibility remaining and plans to use it in the Southeastern Conference.
“It means a lot, man,” Lewis said. “It means a lot. SEC is the hardest ball in college right now. I was going to go Pac-12, but I said nah, I better just go ahead and stay in the SEC. It would’ve been a big difference, though, but I the best thing for me to do is stay in the SEC than the Pac-12.”
Mateos already has three incoming transfer commitments on the offensive line in Keyshawn Blackstock (Michigan State), Fernando Carmona (San Jose State) and Addison Nichols (Tennessee). The first-year assistant is also busy hosting another SEC transfer lineman in Florida guard Micah Mazzccua, who is set to depart on Friday.
“He’s good,” Lewis said of Mateos. “We’ve been communicating lately. He’s ready for me to come up here, get right, get to grinding. He’s ready to see me improve. I’ve got a few things to polish up, and I feel like he’s going to be the guy to get me right.”
Arkansas’ current visit list also includes South Alabama cornerback Marquise Robinson, Utah running back Ja’Quinden Jackson, Florida safety Miguel Mitchell, Albany defensive end Anton Juncaj, Texas A&M defensive lineman Isaiah Raikes, and UAB cornerback Brian Mayes.