Arkansas Sports 360.com - July 2008 - (Page 52) HigH scHool Recruits to Watch Class of 2009 Shaping Up To Be a Good One by Philip seaton Offensive Line, Running Back Talent Strong Among Natural State’s Best High School Prospects the state PRoDUCeD 42 PLayers that signed to play college football on the Division I level in 2008, including 14 that signed with the University of arkansas. among the out-of-state schools that raided the state for talent included Wisconsin, ole miss, southern methodist, tulsa, middle tennessee state, army, navy and air Force. the class of 2009 doesn’t appear to be loaded with the same number of blue chippers as a year ago, but the state could top that the total number of 42 this season with plenty of talented studentathletes playing on Friday nights this fall. Darius Winston is on target to be the state’s most sought after senior. Winston committed to the Razorbacks, but re-opened his recruitment in early June and had more than 30 offers at that time. the University of arkansas picked up two state signal-callers last season. still, there are some strong quarterback prospects in the state. Lake hamilton signal-caller Phillip Butterfield (6-foot-1, 200) has orally committed to the University of tulsa. he has since picked up a scholarship offer from southern mississippi, and more could follow. springdale’s ashton Glaser (6-foot-1, 200) had an impressive camp at the University of missouri in the spring. shortly thereafter Glaser picked up an offer from the tigers. a pair of Little Ashton Glaser Rock private school quarterbacks (Pulaski academy’s spencer keith and Little Rock Christian’s Griffin kuhn) are being evaluated by several Division I schools and could get scholarship offers at any time. other high school quarterbacks could be playing their final season behind center and be playing other positions at the next level including nashville’s Pierre Vaughn (5-foot-11, 170), helenaWest helena Central’s Deondra Johnson (5-foot-9, 165) and Pine Bluff Dollarway’s Jesse Grandy (5-foot-11, 155). 52 ArkansasSports360.com July 2008 10 Top Junior Prospects To Watch Michael Dyer RB 5-9 190 Little Rock Christian Courtney Haskell RB 6-0 205 Warren Michael James RB 5-11 190 Cabot Claude Johnson QB 6-1 195 Pine Bluff Parker Mack OL 6-4 305 Pulaski Academy Thamail Morgan LB/RB 6-0 185 Newport Spencer Neumann LB 6-0 180 Cabot Houston Pruitt FS 6-0 170 Springdale Har-Ber Mitchell Roberts LB 6-2 225 Shiloh Christian Hayden Smith QB 5-11 180 Warren The 10 Top Junior Prospects to watch are just a few members of the Class of 2010 that have already received scholarship offers or look to be strong candidates to receive offers to play college football. In northeast arkansas, Valley View’s matt Chester (6-foot-3, 270) and Corning’s Jake mcDonald (6-foot-3, 280) are on recruiters’ radars. Dave Grundfest (6-foot-3, 265) and austin noonan (6-foot-4, 270) are part of a very talented offensive line at Pulaski academy, while Vilonia’s tyler stauch (6-foot-3, 265) picked up offers from the UCa and troy before his junior season after attending camp at both schools. Defensive line Running Backs Quarterbacks While the class doesn’t feature a Dennis Johnson or a Deanthony Curtis (both signed with the University of arkansas), this season’s crop of senior running backs should be deep. helena-West helena’s turrell Williams (6-foot-2, 215) has verbally committed to the University of arkansas. an el Dorado duo turned in blistering times at the spring Fellowship of Christian athletes Combine. Dexter toney (5-foot-8, 185) clocked the fastest 40 time of 4.43 seconds, while teammate Justin Billings (5-foot-6, 165) was right behind at 4.44. Louisiana tech is among the schools evaluating the pair. Rogers senior michael tibbs (6-foot, 195) won the state decathlon title and returns for Ronnie Peacock’s mounties. the city of Fort smith has pair of talented seniors that should be playing at the next level. southside’s Daniel mcGee (6-foot-2, 210) and northside’s semaj edwards (5-foot-11, 200). Last season’s crop of seniors produced some quality wide receivers and this year’s group also has college-caliber talent. the University of arkansas has offered Pulaski academy’s neal Neal Barlow Barlow (6-foot-6, 190) and Warren’s Quinn Franklin (6-foot-3, 190). Recruiters flocking to Lake hamilton to see Butterfield will also evaluate Josh Profitt (6-foot, 175) and tauno Vannucci (6-foot-1, 180). Lonoke’s Clarence harris (6-foot-2, 180) and springdale’s LaDarius eckwood (5-foot-11, 165) are being evualated. north Little Rock’s anthony Rogers (6-foot-4, 235) has received a scholarship offer from mississippi state and should pick up more offers this season. the University of texas landed a verbal pledge from hoxie’s Derek Johnson (6-foot-3, 290). Recruiters will be flocking to helenaWest helena to see Jeffrey amey (6-foot-3, 280) and eric smiley (6-foot-5, 270). Tight End linebackers harrison’s austin tate (6-foot-6, 230) had a busy spring. a week after helping the Goblins to the 4a state baseball title, tate received a football offer from coach Bobby Petrino’s staff and accepted. three Austin Tate other tight ends have college recruiters paying attention. Pine Bluff’s Chris scott (6-foot-5, 220) and springdale har-Ber’s Brad taylor (6-foot-4, 200) could pick offers with banner seasons. Cody hammer (6-foot, 225) helped Fayetteville to its first football state title last season, and he returns for his senior year with college recruiters paying close attention. the 5a-West conference is home to a pair of hard-hitting, 5-foot-11 prospects. alma’s aaron Cluck (205 pounds) and Vilonia’s Ross estes (210 pounds) will be looking to impress scouts. Defensive Backs Wide Receiver offensive line maybe the deepest position in the class of 2009, more than 10 offensive linemen could sign with Division I schools in February. Fayetteville’s Colby Berna (6-foot-4, 275) was the first Razorback commitment for the class of 2009. Berna’s coach, Darryl Patton, calls him the best offensive lineman he’s ever coached. Patton also has high praise for tyler mckee (6-foot-3, 265). White hall teammates Brett Craine (6-foot-6, 285) and nick Partridge (6-foot-5, 305) are another pair of teammates that should be playing on saturdays. While Winston’s name is on the marquee for recruiters looking for secondary help, el Dorado’s Greg Carter (6-foot-1, 200) has the size and speed to play safety at the next level. Cody Hammer Bryant’s Dijon Benton (6-foot-2, 180) should be receiving offers. a couple of seniors could get one of those elusive scholarship offers. Little Rock Catholic’s tyler Campbell (6-foot-2, 215) is one of the top punters in the state, while West memphis’ Paulo henriques (5-foot-9, 190) is a strong-legged kicker. m Kickers http://ArkansasSports360.com
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