PLANO, Texas -- Arkansas hopes to sign a couple of highly recruited Plano East prospects over the next two years.
Senior receiver Audie Omotosho, 6-3, 190, 4.56 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has more than 30 scholarship offers from schools that include Arkansas, Oklahoma, UCLA, Miami, Maryland and California. Junior linebacker Anthony Hines, 6-3, 225, 4.52, has more than 70 scholarship offers from schools that include Arkansas, Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Alabama.
Plano East Coach Joey McCullough said both have the right attitude.
"You don't have to worry about them in the classroom," McCullough said. "They are driven, and that's part of the reason why they're successful."
Omotosho visited Arkansas during the spring game in April and received his scholarship offer. He said he's been impressed with the way Arkansas running backs coach Jemal Singleton has recruited him.
"The most important thing he gets across to me is making the right decision for myself," Omotosho said. "When a coach comes at you like that, it lets you know he's not just going to blow smoke and tell you this and that. It really lets you know the type of program that's being run."
Omotosho has 11 receptions for 221 yards and 2 touchdowns through 4 games this season. ESPN rates him the No. 47 wide receiver and the No. 286 overall prospect in the nation.
"He's one of the most explosive football players I've ever been around," said McCullough, whose wife Donna is from Glenwood and played college basketball at UALR (1981-1985).
Omotosho said he is looking at taking an unofficial visit to Fayetteville in the next month or so. He plans to take official visits to California, UCLA and Maryland.
"Really the schools I've been targeting for my officials are schools of high interest that are also further in distance," Omotosho said.
Omotosho says he stays busy with football and serving as the senior class president.
"Especially when there's times with extracurricular activities," he said. "You know, prom, homecoming and things of that nature."
He narrowed his list to 10 schools in July: Arkansas, California, Maryland, Oklahoma State, SMU, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Utah, UCLA and Washington.
"I'm in the process of cutting the list to a probably top five, if not a top three," Omotosho said.
So what are the odds of Arkansas making the cut?
"Definitely very high," he said.
In an effort to try and manage the recruiting process, Hines narrowed his list to 20 schools in August. He initially didn't include the Hogs but replaced Michigan with Arkansas on Sept. 3.
"Arkansas is a place that's been showing a lot of love and they have a strong program, a strong business school and a lot of connections within that business school," Hines said. "It was just an obvious choice."
Hines, who has 65 tackles, including 8 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and 4 quarterback hurries in 4 games this season. He is rated the No. 1 inside linebacker and the No. 55 overall prospect in the nation by ESPN.
He and Omotosho attended Arkansas' game against Texas A&M in Arlington, Texas, last weekend. Hines has visited Fayetteville twice, with the latest trip coming in the spring. He may make another trip soon.
"I'll probably make one, definitely a conference game if I do make one," he said. "It will be a good conference game."
McCullough said Hines delivered a bone-jarring hit Sept. 18 a 36-6 victory over Plano West.
"He hit the running back as he was getting the handoff, and it was like his first or second carry and pretty much knocked him out of the game," McCullough said. "Gave him a concussion."
Hines communicates with Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema, Singleton, linebackers coach Vernon Hargreaves and defensive coordinator Robb Smith.
"I talk to Coach Bielema every day," Hines said.
E-mail Richard Davenport at
rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 10/02/2015