Recruiting: hootens.com top players live up to preseason hype, so far
BENTON - Each year between 25-30 athletes from Arkansas high schools receive college scholarship offers to Division I (FBS) schools, while another 50 to 80 players receive offers to play at Division I-AA (FCS) and Division II schools.
The talent in Arkansas this fall swells at the skilled positions. Hootens.com top-ranked recruit, Jonesboro running back/receiver Zac Brooks (6-3, 180), committed to Clemson in June, but owns more than 20 other scholarship offers, including Arkansas and Arkansas State. Brooks tallied almost 2,000 all-purpose yards in 2010 and more than 500 in three games this fall.
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| Jonesboro RB Zac Brooks |
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Line positions are the toughest to fill at any level, which makes Pottsville’s Jeremy Ward (6-4, 280), so intriguing. Ward, the state’s No. 2 by Hootens.com, didn’t play football until the ninth grade, but blossomed in the weight room during the past two years, while helping Pottsville reach the quarterfinals for the first time in school history last season. Ward and the Pottsville Apaches are unbeaten headed into their Week 4 conference opener against Waldron. Ward committed to Arkansas in February, causing other colleges to shy away from recruiting him. “He’s an explosive blocker and plays with great technique,” Pottsville coach Brian Rust says.
Hootens.com No. 3 prospect, Greenbrier quarterback Neal Burcham (6-3, 195), hasn’t received many scholarship offers, but continues compiling impressive statistics (7,366 career yards). Burcham won the prestigious Nike Elite 11 QB camp in California during the summer. Burcham received offers from Arkansas State, Central Arkansas, Cincinnati and Memphis in recent weeks.
As usual, the lower classifications in Arkansas produce some of the top talent. This year’s headliners include East Poinsett County linebacker A.J. Turner (6-3, 200), Bearden athlete Defonta Lowe (6-3, 190), and Strong’s Kenneth Dixon (5-11, 205). Turner (Hootens.com No. 4 ranked prospect) and Lowe (No. 6 prospect) both committed to the UA, while Dixon (No. 14 prospect) owns offers from Arkansas State, Louisiana-Monroe, Memphis and Division I-AA Central Arkansas and Missouri State. Lowe drew praise from observers at the UA camp during the summer with dominating performances as a receiver and defensive back. Lowe, now a four-year starter at Bearden, ran for 1,543 yards and 24 touchdowns and completed 62 of 94 passes for 1,233 yards and 15 scores as a junior, while racking up 41 tackles and three interceptions.
Another small-school talent rounds out Hootens.com Top 5. Warren receiver Jalen Cobb (6-1, 185) committed to the UA in February after strong performances at Arkansas’ camp in 2010. Cobb tallied almost 900 yard receiving last season and caught two touchdowns passes in 2011 while playing on a team that starts 15 sophomores and freshmen.
Hootens.com Top 50 prospects from Arkansas:
1. Zac Brooks, Jonesboro
2. Jeremy Ward, Pottsville
3. Neal Burcham, Greenbrier
4. A.J. Turner, EPC
5. Jalen Cobb, Warren
6. Defonta Lowe, Bearden
7. Jason King, Pulaski Academy
8. Fredi Knighten, Pulaski Academy
9. Quinterio Heath, Rison
10. Derek Keaton, Camden Fairview
11. Jeremy Sprinkle, White Hall
12. Jonathan Powell, Searcy
13. Catorey Robinson, Camden Fairview
14. Kenneth Dixon, Strong
15. Jeremy Brady, Pulaski Academy
16. Shaquille Jones, FS Northside
17. Dezmond Stegall, Searcy
18. Zach Conque, LR Catholic
19. Marquis Walker, Rison
20. Jemar Clark, McCrory
21. Dominique Reed, Camden Fairview
22. Michael Fine, Har-Ber
23. Tre Franklin, Marion
24. Ajalen Holley, HS Lakeside
25. Bailey McIver, Sheridan
26. Aum’Arie Wallace, Pulaski Academy
27. James Sax, Vilonia
28. Luke Ferguson, Jonesboro
29. Desmond Smith, Bentonville
30. Rod Ross, West Helena
31. Colby Murphy, El Dorado
32. Greg McKillion, Blytheville
33. D’Von McClure, Jacksonville
34. David Adams, Pine Bluff
35. De’onte Garrett, El Dorado
36. Levi Runyan, Lake Hamilton
37. Austin Moreton, FS Southside
38. Brian Anderson, LR Central
39. Jordan McGee, FS Southside
40. Austin Gregory, Alma
41. Wendall Thompson, El Dorado
42. Marvell Harris, LR Central
43. Quinta Thomas, LR Catholic
44. Evan Johnson, Har-Ber
45. Kody White, Cave City
46. Dre Bennett, Lake Hamilton
47. Jamarlin Jackson, Clarendon
48. Craig Dyson, Harrison
49. Lemmie Daniels, Pine Bluff
50. Deon Clay, Farmington
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