LITTLE ROCK — Pulaski Academy tight end Hunter Henry, accompanied by his parents, visited Arkansas on Wednesday and said he came away impressed.
“I liked it all,” said Henry, who recorded 64 receptions for 1,091 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior. “They showed us around the business school and then we got to see the academic center and how the academic advisors would help me my freshman year and all of the resources that would be available.”
Henry, 6-5, 235 pounds, 4.8 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has received approximately 20 scholarship offers, including ones from Arkansas, Alabama, Oklahoma, Auburn, Tennessee, Georgia and Miami. He said he enjoyed taking in a Hogs spring practice.
“I was able to see the coaches not only talk to them but also was able to see them coach the players,” said Henry, whose father, Mark, lettered at Arkansas in 1988-1991 and earned All-Southwest Conference honors as a center in 1991. His mother, Jenny, is an Arkansas graduate.
“The practice was real upbeat and they had a lot of energy, just having fun and working hard to get better. I loved seeing that.”
Before practice, Henry and his parents spent about 45 minutes with Coach Bobby Petrino in his office.
“We asked about the depth at tight end and how many tight ends there were and how I could fit in if I were to come,” said Henry, who plans to attend the Hogs’ spring game April 21. “We talked about how they would use me in the offense. We talked and tried to get to know one another.”
Henry, who plans to visit Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama in the next few weeks, said he is looking to reduce his list of schools to five or so.
“I’ll probably narrow things down at the end of May or the end of the spring,” Henry said.
He commented on his level of interest in the Razorbacks.
“It’s definitely high that’s for sure,” said Henry, who’’s been selected to play in next year’s Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in Phoenix. “I really like Arkansas. I can definitely can see myself there.”
ANOTHER TE
Texas tight end Christian Morgan had talked to Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino over the phone, but he was looking forward to getting to know him on a more personal level while on his Tuesday visit. Afterward, he said he felt the trip was successful.
“I talked to him ... 30 to 45 minutes before practice,” Morgan said. “He was kind of talking to me about everything. The whole situation, about how at Arkansas, it’s more than football. He talked about the four different things that you need to develop and manage, like personally and spiritually, academically and then football. That was really cool to talk to him about those things.”
Morgan, 6-6, 245, 4.75, of Plano (Texas) Prestonwood Christian Academy, reports 14 scholarship offers, including ones from Arkansas, Baylor, Missouri, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Miami. He sa i d h e came away feeling real comfortable with Petrino.
“He answered all of my questions, and I had a great time,” Morgan said. “He’s a real easy guy to just hang out with.”
Morgan, who plans to announce his college decision at his spring game May 28, said the Hogs and Baylor currently top his list.
“The offenses are a lot different,” he said. “I think the SEC and the Big 12 is a big difference. I definitely think this, footballwise, is a step up. I think Arkansas is already established. I just think the tradition here is a little richer.”
LINEMAN LOOKING
With the offensive line being an area of need for Arkansas, the Hogs recently received good news when Arizona prospect Kenny Lacy said he plans to make an official visit to Fayetteville.
“I love Arkansas right now,” said Lacy, who is being recruited by Razorbacks offensive line coach Chris Klenakis. “They’re definitely one of my favorites. My dad loves Arkansas. I talk to Coach K, and they’re definitely one of my official visits for sure.”
Lacy, 6-5, 270, 5.1, of Phoenix Mountain Pointe High School, reports having 20 scholarship offers, including ones from Arkansas, Arizona, Arizona State and Nebraska.
“They’re big-time SEC football,” Lacy said of Arkansas. “They’re one of the most winning programs in the country and Coach K talks to me about winning championships, a national championship. I want to be where they have the best chance to win and play against the best competition.”
Lacy said he and his father will probably visit Arkansas in the summer.
E-mail Richard Davenport at
rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports, Pages 22 on 03/30/2012