LITTLE ROCK — The anticipation of 10thranked Arkansas’ game against top-ranked Alabama on Saturday isn’t restricted to the two state universities.
Safety Roderick Ryles of Orlando (Fla.) Dr. Phillips, an Arkansas commitment, said the game has been a topic of discussion for him and three teammates - safety/linebacker Laquentin Smith, defensive back Ha’sean Clinton-Dix and running back Dee Hart. All four are expected to make official visits to Fayetteville this weekend.
“That’s all we been talking about all week,” Ryles said. “Hopefully Arkansas will come out on top.”
Ryles, 6-1, 185 pounds, 4.64 seconds in the 40-yard dash, said he thinks Dix, who has orally committed to Alabama, and Hart, who is a highly regarded prospect, will like what they see once they arrive on Arkansas’ campus.
“They have to come see it,” Ryles said. “If they see it, they might change their mind on where they want to go. I‘ve told them about everything, the facilities and the school.”
Ryles had 7 tackles, 2 interceptions and 1 forced fumble in the Class 6A Panthers’ 49-0 victory over Olympia last week.
“This week was my week,” said Ryles, who attended Arkansas’ junior/senior prospect camp in July with Smith, who is expected to announce for the Hogs during the visit. “The other weeks we played running teams, and we have a good D-linemen and amazing linebackers so there wasn’t much for us and our stats weren’t looking too good. Iknew this was going to be my game because I knew they were going to throw the ball.”
Ryles said the defense isn’t pleased despite allowing a total of 14 points in the first three games.
“We came in and did what we do best,” Ryles said. “We held them scoreless, that’s our goal.
The first two games we gave up seven points each. We were disappointed.”
Ryles said defensive coordinator Rodney Wells demands maximum effort.
“If you can’t go all out, he doesn’t care who you are, he’ll bench you,” Ryles said.
Others taking official visits this weekend include Charles Jackson, 5-10, 175, 4.36 of Spring (Texas) Klein Collins and receiver Quinta Funderburk, 6-4, 205, 4.5, of Chesapeake (Va.) Oscar Smith.
BASKETBALL UPDATE
Arkansas’ men’s basketball team is expected to host forwards Adonis Thomas, 6-6, 211, of Memphis Melrose; Hunter Mickelson, 6-10, 195, of Jonesboro Westside; Aaron Ross, 6-8, 220, of Little Rock Parkview and Devonta Abron, 6-8, 223, of Dallas Seagoville on official visits this weekend.
Arkansas’ men’s team will begin playing pickup games at 10:45 a.m. Saturday.
E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports, Pages 21 on 09/24/2010