THE RECRUITING GUY

UA commitment picked to play on Team USA

— Arkansas commitment and cornerback Ray Buchanan Jr. is one of six defensive backs to be selected to represent the United States in the International Bowl to be played in Austin, Texas, on Feb. 1.

The International Bowl is sanctioned by the International Federation of American Football, which consists of 62 nations from six continents that possess a national federation for American football.

The game will pit the United States’ roster of 50 players against the top 50 players from around the world.

Buchanan, 5-10 1/2, 180 pounds, 4.47 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Suwanee (Ga.) Peachtree Ridge, is elated about being picked to participate in the game.

“It’s definitely an honor to be invited to a game that big and representing the U.S.,” Buchanan said. “I’m excited that I was one of the few that got selected.”

USA Football Director of Communications Steve Alic said Buchanan separated himself on and off the field during national trials held on Memorial Day weekend at Marietta, Ga.

“We recognized Ray as one of the top underclassmen in the country and he was invited to take part in our Team USA trials,” Alic said. “There he competed against top talent and more than held his own. Also impressed our evaluators and on-site interviews in terms of his character and his makeup.

Buchanan, who committed to the Hogs before seeing the campus, chose the Razorbacks over scholarship offers from Ole Miss, Illinois, Mississippi State, Purdue, Southern Miss and Louisville. He made an official visit to Fayetteville during the Arkansas-Auburn game weekend.

“I definitely made the right choice,” Buchanan said. “There’s no doubt about that. I can’t wait to get over there. The fans, the coaches, the players. You want that family feeling. Once I got on campus I felt all the love from everybody. Not just that but the campus and the facilities were nice, too.” LOUISIANA LINEMEN

Detrehan (La.) High School defensive linemen Marrick Charles and teammate Bryan Singleton will make official visits to Fayetteville when Arkansas plays Tennessee on Nov. 12.

Charles, 6-2, 315, 5.0 seconds in the 40-yard dash, reports about 10 scholarship offers, including Arkansas, Southern Miss, South Alabama, Pittsburgh and Louisiana Tech. He attends Destrehan, the same school Hogs linebacker Jerico Nelson attended.

“I like Arkansas a lot,” Charles said. “I’ve watched a couple of their games and Jerico has told me it’s a good atmosphere to play at. I’ve been liking Arkansas ever since then. He tells me the coaches are good, and it’s great learning environment there.”

Charles said he is also looking to make official visits to Southern Miss, Texas A&M and Pittsburgh. He said he believes the Aggies are close to offering.

“I want a good bond with the coaches, a good vibe with them,” Charles said of what he desires in a school. “I want to see if I like the school atmosphere or not. “

Charles, who reports a 395-pound bench press, 500 squat and 29-inch vertical, said he’s blessed with natural strength.

“I first starting lifting weights when I got to the ninth grade,” Charles said. “I use to be a basketball player, but I changed from basketball to football when I got to high school.”

E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports, Pages 22 on 10/28/2011

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