LITTLE ROCK — Top tight end prospect Christian Morgan arrived in Fayetteville on Monday night and will visit the Razorbacks today for the third time since September.
Morgan, 6-6, 245 pounds, 4.75 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Plano (Texas) Prestonwood Christian Academy, also visited the Hogs for the Troy game Sept. 17 and on Feb. 11. He’s looking forward to getting to know the Arkansas coaching staff better, including Coach Bobby Petrino, who had an out-of-town obligation during Morgan’s last visit.
“I think it’s just being able to spend more time with them and get to know them better,” said Morgan, who reports 14 scholarship offers, including ones from Arkansas, Baylor, Missouri, Vanderbilt and Miami. “Getting the chance to meet head Coach Petrino for the first time in person. I’ve talked to him on the phone a couple of times but being able to put a name with a face is big for me.”
Morgan, who visited Baylor last week during the Bears’ pro day, also wants to experience the Hogs’ practice atmosphere and meeting some of the players. He raved about the Razorbacks after his February visit and nothing has changed since then.
“They’re definitely up there for me,” said Morgan, who’s being recruited by offensive coordinator Paul Petrino. “I’ve really liked Baylor a lot. I think they’ve kind of moved up, too. But definitely, Arkansas is a great place. My feelings haven’t changed.”
Morgan, who plans to announce his decision during his school’s spring game in late May, is basing a lot of his decision on the relationship he has with the coaches at a school.
“I think it’s the people,” Morgan said. “I want to be able to trust the coaching staff. I wish it was something like physical to where you could look at this or look at that, but I really honestly think it’s a feeling. I feel like at this point I really can’t go wrong with what I choose.”
CENTERING IN
Arkansas basketball coach Mike Anderson has stated the Hogs would like to add two more prospects to the 2012 recruiting class. Junior college center D.J. Bennett is one the Hogs are recruiting and could sign.
Bennett, 6-8, 215, of Ottumwa (Iowa) Indian Hills Community College, has several scholarship offers but lists Arkansas, Oklahoma and Tennessee as his main offers. He said the Hogs and the Sooners are his top two schools and he plans to make official visits to both schools.
“I know they have a good team and good style of play,”Bennett said. “They’re on ESPN. That’s another one of my dreams is playing on ESPN.”
He’s confident that Anderson and his staff can help develop his game.
“They have the same style of play as we do at Indian Hills,” Bennett said, “more of an up-tempo style play. That’s the style of play that I prefer. I’m more of a guy that likes to run the floor, finish, dunking and all that.”
Bennett, who averaged 7.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.7 block shots this season, is being recruited by assistant coach Matt Zimmerman.
“He’s a real cool dude,” Bennett said. “I’ve built a really good relationship with him. He likes the way I play and thinks I would really be a good fit for my program.”
COMMUNICATION KEY
Small forward Ryan Taylor of Hargrave Military Academy in Chatman, Va., is considering taking an official visit to Arkansas in large part because of his relationship with Razorbacks associate coach Melvin Watkins.
Taylor, 6-6, 220, is considering Cincinnati, Arkansas, Dayton, Providence and West Virginia, according to Hargrave Coach A.W. Hamilton.
“He’s done a really, really good job of recruiting Ryan,” said Hamilton of Watkins. “He communicates well with Ryan. Ryan really likes him and they’ve really developed a strong relationship. “
Hamilton said one lucky school will be getting a topnotch player and person.
“He’s very athletic,” Hamilton said. “He’s really a tremendous basketball player. He has a very high IQ and really understands how to play the game.”
SPARQLING
North Little Rock High School dominated the Nike Football SPARQ Combine in Dallas on Saturday with five of the top 10 performers, and nine of the top 30, among the approximately 1,250 athletes.
Sophomore athlete Kavin Alexander, 5-8 1/2, 174, finished No. 1 with a SPARQ rating of 129.24. He recorded a 4.54-second 40-yard dash, 4.00 proshuttle, 41.6-inch vertical and39-foot power ball throw.
Placing No. 4, 5, 7 and 10, respectively, were Charging Wildcats running back Rodney Bryson, 5-11, 183; quarterback Payton Holmes, 5-10, 176; tight end Cameron Williams, 6-3, 256, and receiver Evan Peters, 5-10 1/2, 174, all juniors.
Bentonville junior athlete Nate Gneting, 5-11 1/2, 161, and running back Tearris Wallace, 5- 1/2, 209, placed No. 16 and No. 22. Bryant junior cornerback Aaron Bell, 5-9, 150, finished No. 30.
Others in the top 30 were North Little Rock junior linebacker Marcus Lindsey, receiver Hobbs Knowlton, defensive tackle Kenny Howard and sophomore Deion Tidwell at No. 20, 23, 27 and 28, respectively.
SPARQ stands for speed, power, agility, reaction and quickness.
E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports, Pages 17 on 03/27/2012