The Recruiting Guy

Arkansas' defense, interest are big hit with Florida safety

Arkansas' defensive coordinator Robb Smith directs his players during practice Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, at the university's practice facility in Fayetteville.
Arkansas' defensive coordinator Robb Smith directs his players during practice Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, at the university's practice facility in Fayetteville.

Arkansas defensive coordinator Robb Smith attended Lake Minneola High School's spring game in Clermont, Fla., on Thursday night, and that appears to have impressed talented safety Deon Edwards.

"I'm starting to really like their coaching staff," said Edwards, whose school is located about 24 miles west of Orlando. "He's really forming a relationship by coming to watch my game. I'm really liking Arkansas."

Edwards, 6-1, 195 pounds, has 13 scholarship offers from schools that include Arkansas, South Carolina, Missouri, Louisville, North Carolina State and South Florida.

He was impressed last season with the Hogs' defense that finished No. 10 nationally in total defense.

" They actually have a great defense," said Edwards, who recorded 112 tackles, 8 interceptions, 2 sacks and 1 forced fumble the past two seasons. "I think I would really fit in with their defense, and they told me I would fit in."

Lake Minneola Coach Walter Banks has coached approximately 25 Division I players and has a high opinion of Edwards.

"In my 15 years being in the state of Florida, he's probably the toughest defensive player I've ever coached when it comes to his physical ability," Banks said. "He knows one speed, and that's playing fast and hard."

Edwards said the Razorbacks will likely get an official visit.

"I'm really feeling Arkansas," said Edwards, who also notes there is a good chance he will visit Fayetteville this summer. "They're most likely going to be in my top five."

Edwards said Smith told him that if he chooses Arkansas, he needs to be ready to chase after the quarterback, too.

"He said they want me at safety, but said like a rover could move me down into the box," Edwards said. "Whenever they need to go get the quarterback ... blitzing, but mainly safety cover-wise."

Edwards has a team-first mentality.

" I like pushing my team," Edwards said. "They say I'm a team leader, so I try and step up and be a team leader on the field. I don't ever like to let my team down, my coaches down."

His older brother, Ishmeal Aristead, played safety at Purdue while his mother, Lisa Jordan, is a educator.

"He's a great kid with great character," Banks said. "He comes from a good family. He's a just a good overall kid that other kids like being around."

Safety sees opportunity

Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema made it known the Hogs weren't going to abandon recruiting efforts in south Florida when he hired linebacker coach Vernon Hargreaves.

Hargreaves has strong ties to the area because of his time as an assistant at Miami and South Florida, and he is recruiting several prospects from Pompano Beach Coconut Creek High School.

Safety Alexy Jean-Baptiste, 6-2, 200, 4.48 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has 26 scholarship offers from schools that include Arkansas, Louisville, Wisconsin, North Carolina State, North Carolina and Miami. He's planning to visit Fayetteville during the summer.

"He wants me to come up to campus and see what the school is like," Jean-Baptiste said of Hargreaves.

Jean-Baptiste moved to the United States from Haiti when he was 3 and has lived in south Florida since.

"It's a beautiful campus, but it just gets cold in the winter," Jean-Baptiste said of Fayetteville.

But Jean-Baptiste said the possibility of cold weather wouldn't keep him from picking a school.

"I would love to see snow," he said.

His father, Alis, was the first family member to move to Florida. Jean-Baptiste's mother, Rose, and the rest of the family came later when his father sent for them.

Jean-Baptiste's parents have stressed how important it is for him and his three brothers and sister to take advantage of the opportunities America affords.

"They say they busted their butts getting us here and how we have to make an impact while here," Jean-Baptiste said. "What my parents said was true. When you do come to America, it's a whole different thing, because growing up in Haiti everything wasn't OK. You wake up in the morning and don't have anything to eat.

"In America, you can wake up with food to eat."

Jean-Baptiste also is looking to make trips to Georgia , North Carolina, Louisville, North Carolina State, Kentucky and Wake Forest this summer.

His brother, Alix, is a cornerback for Florida Atlantic and will likely join his brother on some of his official visits.

Jean-Baptiste said he will likely take his time when it comes to a decision.

"I was just going to wait it out until signing day, and then I was a going to make a move," he said.

E-mail Richard Davenport at

rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports on 05/24/2015

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