The Recruiting Guy

Texas safety doesn't want to make rush decision

Safety Kahlil Haughton.
Safety Kahlil Haughton.

Highly recruited safety Kahlil Haughton of Waco (Texas) Midway had planned to announce his college decision today through Twitter, but he has decided to delay his decision.

Haughton, 6-2, 180 pounds, 4.44 seconds in the 40-yard dash, had been expected to choose between Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Baylor and Duke, but he said through Twitter that he thought it would be best to take his five official visits before making a decision. He said he didn't want to make an emotional decision when it came to choosing a school.

"In order to better my future, the logic has to come in the picture and give me the best chance for a great education, playing time, great relationships that can help me develop and some little things," he said.

ESPN rates Haughton as the No. 25 safety prospect in the nation and No. 60 prospect in Texas. He recorded 87 tackles, 2 interceptions, broke up 13 passes and forced a fumble as a junior.

He and his mother, Tanya Antonucci, visited Fayetteville on June 20 and were impressed with the Razorbacks' coaching staff, facilities, academic support, environment and defensive scheme.

"Arkansas has a great education," said Haughton, who added that Arkansas will likely get an official visit. "Amazing fan base, a family friendly environment with an honest coaching staff, and a great defensive scheme that will prepare you for the NFL and gives me a chance to showcase all my talents."

Haughton's athletic ability and speed shows up in track where he has best times of 48.5 seconds in the 400 meters and 22.3 seconds in the 200.

Arkansas defensive backs coach Clay Jennings recruited Haughton while Jennings was at TCU.

"We've had a great relationship for a couple years, and he's a guy that's really honest with me and I can trust," said Haughton, whose father Gregory ran the 400 meters for Jamaica in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics. "He's been friends with my head coach, and to have my head coach's respect really shows the type of character he has. Also love the way he wants to coach his players not only to be outstanding athletes, but to help them develop into men."

Haughton said his parents are there to offer advice and support.

"They play a main piece but try not to be too much in it and trust that whatever I choose will be a good decision," he said. "At the end of the day, though, they want me to go somewhere I'll play and get a great education at the same time."

TRUST COMES FIRST

Arkansas has made the top five of highly regarded Louisiana defensive back Deshawn Raymond, who credits Arkansas receivers coach Michael Smith, a New Orleans native, for much of his interest in the Razorbacks.

"You know he's from here. You can relate to him a lot," said Raymond , who attends Metairie (La.) East Jefferson. "I really can't explain it. It's just that you have that connection."

Raymond, 6-2, 182 pounds, 4.52, lists LSU, TCU, Mississippi State and Georgia as his other top choices.

"It's all about the trust that I have in the coaches, if I feel like I can trust you," Raymond said. "It's all about trust."

Raymond received 13 handwritten letters Wednesday from the entire Arkansas coaching staff . He said he will take his allotted five official visits.

"I'll make my decision after I take my officials," Raymond said.

Raymond could play safety or cornerback.

"LSU is going to recruit me as safety, but I went to their camp and dominated at corner," said Raymond, who is being recruited as a cornerback by Arkansas. "UCLA, they're recruiting me for safety. Everybody else is recruiting me as a cornerback."

DANBERRY COMMITS

Arkansas Coach Jimmy Dykes received his third oral commitment for his 2015 women's basketball class Wednesday when Conway point guard Jordan Danberry said she will be a Razorback.

Part of Dykes' sales pitch includes "Be Arkansas," which he often includes it in his Twitter posts, and Danberry cited that as part of the reason she committed to the Razorbacks.

"I wanted to play for my state," Danberry said. "Like Coach Dykes said, instead of being that person from Arkansas, I decided to be Arkansas and take Arkansas to the Final Four, a Top 25 program."

Danberry, 5-8, led the Wampus Cats to the Class 7A state championship by scoring 25 points in a 74-67 victory over Fort Smith Northside . She was named to the All-Arkansas Preps first team and the All-Arkansas Preps Player of the Year after leading Conway to a 28-5 record last season.

Dan Olson of Collegiate Girls Basketball Report rates Danberry the No. 49 prospect in the 2015 class. She chose Arkansas over scholarship offers from Oklahoma State, Ole Miss and Kansas State.

"I just believe in what Coach Dykes is saying," Danberry said. "Coach Dykes believes in me. I just decided to go there, and it's where I feel the most comfortable."

The Razorbacks also have commitments from North Little Rock point guard Malica Monk, 5-5, and forward Keiryn Swenson, 6-2, of Wichita, (Kan.) Maize.

Oral commitments are nonbinding.

E-mail Richard Davenport at

rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports on 08/08/2014

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