Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

12/30/2010 at 3:39pm

At least nine of the projected starters for the Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 4 against Ohio State are former in-state recruits, and that number would have been even higher had junior wide receiver Greg Childs not been injured.

In addition, some of the out-of-state starters such as quarterback Ryan Mallett, wide receiver Cobi Hamilton and offensive guard Alvin Bailey have strong ties to the state with relatives or were born in Arkansas.

While the Arkansas high school senior class has been pretty much defined as far as who will get an Arkansas scholarship offer and who won't - with possibly one exception- the underclassmen in Arkansas will go to camps and combines this spring and summer trying to showcase their skills.

Alma wide receiver Isaac McCoy (6-foot, 175 pounds, 4.5 in the 40-yard dash) has orally committed to Oklahoma State, but Arkansas is reportedly still evaluating him. If offered by Arkansas, then McCoy would have to decide whether to stick with the Cowboys or take an offer from the Razorbacks. Recruiting can change in a heartbeat and someone else could get a late offer from the Razorbacks as well, such as with Russellville kicker Zach Hocker last year, though that seems unlikely at this point.

One position that is always of strong interest to the fans at Arkansas and other schools is quarterback. Fayetteville sophomore Austin Allen (6-2, 190, 4.8) didn't get a chance to play much this year because his brother, Brandon Allen (6-2, 214, 4.7), was the starter and is now headed to the Razorbacks. The younger Allen played in mop-up duty and many have compared him favorably with Brandon. Austin will have two years to run the Fayetteville offense and show the recruiters what he can do.

Another quarterback of note is Rogers Heritage freshman Josh Qualls (6-1, 165, 4.7). While colleges are very limited in what they can do with freshmen, several schools are known to have a very early interest in Qualls. Arkansas, Auburn, Kansas State and Texas Tech are some of the schools that Qualls is known to be showing interest in, though the Red Raiders were keeping up with Qualls more so when Mike Leach was the coach there than now with Tommy Tuberville.

"I have been playing football since the third grade," Qualls said. "I decided after our season to not play basketball and baseball so I can concentrate on football. I'm hoping football is a sport I can play in college."

It's safe to say Qualls, barring an injury should get his wish. It's known that Qualls likes the Razorbacks, but a lot will depend on their quarterback situation by the time he's a senior. All things being equal, it appears Qualls would like to be a Razorback, but if it would be three or so years when he would see the field there, he might look elsewhere. Either way, a decision is three-plus years down the road.

Pulaski Academy junior Fredi Knighten (5-11, 175, 4.5) doesn't have the height that top Division I schools like, but he has the talent to be an impact player. As a junior, Knighten completed 203 of 307 passes for 3,156 yards and 40 touchdowns. No prospect in Arkansas improved more from their sophomore year to junior than Knighten. He only attempted seven passes as a sophomore.

Strong Huttig junior running back Kenneth Dixon (5-11, 204, 4.55) rushed for more than 2,300 yards from his quarterback position this year. Dixon, who has an offer to Missouri State, will play running back or safety in college. Dixon is playing basketball for his  high school squad"I like basketball," Dixon said. "It helps keep me in shape and helps me with my quickness and vision for football. As far as a college, I really like Arkansas. I like the Razorbacks."

Running back Derek Keaton (5-9, 165, 4.4) moved from Episcopal Collegiate to Camden Fairview before his junior season and helped lead his team to a state runner-up finish to Greenwood in Class 5A.

The running back class in the sophomore group may be one of the strongest in the state in a few years. Bentonville's Tearris Wallace (5-10, 184, 4.6) Fayetteville's Bryce Gahagans (5-9, 175, 4.45) Morrilton's Jamar Criswell (5-9, 166, 4.6) and North Little Rock's Altee Tenpenny (5-11, 200, 4.4) all have a chance to be highly recruited in two years if they avoid injuries and take care of academics.

Wallace was named the MVP of the Class 7A state championship game. For the season, Wallace rushed for 1,568 yards and 21 touchdowns on 207 carries. In the state championship game against Fayetteville, Wallace rushed for 191 yards and 5 touchdowns on 21 carries. "I give all my credit to my offensive line," Wallace said. "They opened holes so it was easy for me to run through them."

Tenpenny carried 147 times for 1,121 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Charging Wildcats. 

In the junior class, no position may be stronger than wide receiver. Arkansas has offered Jonesboro athlete Zac Brooks (6-2, 185, 4.45) and Warren's Jalen Cobb (6-1, 180, 4.6). Brooks played running back this season, but most likely will move to receiver in college. Arkansas and Ole Miss have also offered, but numerous others will be sending out offers to him soon. Cobb has made no secret of the fact he may be the next Lumberjack playing receiver for the Razorbacks.

"I'm from Arkansas and I want to play for my home state," Cobb said. "I haven't made a decision yet, but I may soon."

Some other junior receivers expected to draw plenty of recruiting attention are Bearden's Defonta Lowe (6-2, 185, 4.5) Camden Fairview's Dominique Reed (6-3, 175, 4.5) Fort Smith Northside's Shaquille Jones (6-0, 180, 4.6), East Poinsett County's A.J. Turner (6-3, 200, 4.5) Har-Ber's Michael Fine (6-4, 170, 4.5) and Clarendon's Jamarlin Jackson (5-10, 165, 4.5). Lowe is an athlete who could also play in the secondary in college while Turner could be a linebacker. Jackson is also an athlete who could play cornerback at the next level.

Some tight ends in the junior class who should be recruited are Rison's Quanterio Heath (6-2, 200, 4.6) White Hall's Jeremy Sprinkle (6-6, 210, 4.6) Cave City's Kody White (6-6, 263, 5.1) and Marion's Darius Rosser (6-4, 260). Heath can also play linebacker, Sprinkle is also an accomplished defensive end, White may end up on the offensive line in college and Rosser also plays defensive lineman.

In the sophomore class, Pulaski Academy's Hunter Henry (6-5, 235, 4.8) is the son of former Razorback Mark Henry and is expected to one of the state's top prospects in the Class of 2013. Henry played wide receiver and defensive end this year and also starts for the Bruin's basketball team.

"I will likely be a tight end next year," Henry said. "Basketball helps me with my quickness. I like both football and basketball evenly, but I will play football in college. My dad has told me a lot of great things about Arkansas. I love Arkansas. Coach [Bobby] Petrino has done a great job bringing them back and getting them to a BCS Bowl."

In the Class of 2012, some of the offensive linemen expected to be the tops at their position in college are Pottsville's Jeremy Ward (6-4, 275, 5.0) McCrory's Jemar Clark (6-6, 280, 5.2) Fort Smith Southside's Austin Moreton (6-3, 305, 5.0) Pine Bluff's David Adams (6-4, 310, 5.3) and Pulaski Academy's Jason King (6-4, 295, 5.3). The sophomores include Searcy's Javion Clifton (6-5, 335, 5.5) Pulaski Academy's Alex Flemister (6-3, 253, 5.3) Jacksonville's Carter Grandison (6-3, 265, 5.4) and Jonesboro's J.D. Rainwater (6-3, 246, 5.2). In the Class of 2014, Hoxie's Dillon Cagle (6-6, 310, 5.5) has attended several Arkansas games and could be an elite prospect.

That is just some of the offensive players coming up in the next two or three years. As always, new names will emerge or players will have breakout seasons next year like Pulaski Academy's Knighten did this season. 

Otis Kirk has covered Arkansas recruiting for more than 30 years. His regular features and message board posts can be found at HawgSports.com, a member of the Rivals.com network. His Recruiting 360 column appears on ArkansasSports360.com every Thursday.

Tagged: Brandon Allen, Bobby Petrino, Arkansas Razorbacks