Recruiting Guy

Rhoads could be plus in recruiting JUCO lineman

Arkansas assistant coach Paul Rhoads speaks with his players Thursday, March 31, 2016, during practice at the university's practice field on campus in Fayetteville.
Arkansas assistant coach Paul Rhoads speaks with his players Thursday, March 31, 2016, during practice at the university's practice field on campus in Fayetteville.

Arkansas defensive backs coach Paul Rhoads' previous relationship with junior college defensive lineman Javier Edwards could work in the Razorbacks' favor.

Edwards, 6-3, 350 pounds of Blinn College in Brenham, Texas, was recruited by Rhoads, then the Iowa State coach, out of Houston Aldine Davis High School and planned to sign with the Cyclones in 2015 if he could qualify academically.

Because of the uncertainty, Edwards signed with Blinn and played for the Buccaneers as a freshman. He still had plans to sign with Iowa State but that never materialized after Rhoads was let go in November.

He thinks highly of Rhoads.

"He came to my house and met my family," Edwards said. "I know all about him. I know he's going to give a 100 percent effort to his players ... and to the people he really cares about. That means a lot to me."

Edwards said his relationship with Rhoads could improve the Razorbacks' chances with him.

"At first, I wasn't interested because I heard Arkansas wasn't interested in me, but I heard that Coach Rhoads was there and I was like let me see what that's all about, and I started learning more and started researching more," Edwards said.

Coach Bret Bielema also has talked to Edwards and told him of his playing days at Iowa.

"He told me he played D-tackle and nose guard, too," Edwards said. "He said I was much better than him. That's the first thing he said, and I just laughed. I said, 'Yeah, you got that right.' "

Edwards, who recorded 27 tackles and a tackle for loss in eight games as a freshman, said he's heard Bielema looks out for his players.

"Our coaches say 'Yeah, Coach B is pretty cool,' " Edwards said.

A visit to Fayetteville is a possibility, Edwards said, who also plans to visit Alabama in July and Florida at a later date.

Edwards is also familiar with Arkansas sophomore safety Willie Sykes, who played at Springs High School in Texas.

"We played against each other in high school," Edwards said.

He played at 378 as a freshman, but he has worked off 28 pounds since the end of last season.

"Walking and eating right," he said. "I just kept it simple. Instead of getting a ride to class every day I just walk. I walk all day, every day. Sometimes, I have to do an extra workout."

Edwards' goal is to lose 20 to 30 more pounds. He cut fried foods out of his diet, but he admits it's not easy.

"Everything tastes better fried for some reason," Edwards said.

UA pursues cousin

Arkansas signed linebacker De'jon Harris out of Marrero (La.) John Ehret in February and now the Razorbacks are after his cousin, junior receiver Jammal Houston.

Houston, 6-2, 175 pounds, received a scholarship offer from Arkansas on Monday to go along with offers from Arizona, Colorado, Virginia Tech, Arizona State and others.

He said the offer from the Razorback has him excited, calling it is favorite school.

Houston, who has a 37-inch vertical leap, ran 4.42 seconds in the 40-yard dash during a Texas A&M satellite camp hosted by Tulane in New Orleans. He had 13 catches for 500 yards and 5 touchdowns as a sophomore.

He said his cousin has talked up the Razorbacks, and he plans to make a trip to Fayetteville when the dead period ends July 10.

Collins to host camp

Former Arkansas running back Alex Collins will host a youth football camp at Little Rock Central High School on July 10.

Collins, who was the No. 171 overall pick in the fifth round in the NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks in April, will be giving individual instruction to each kid in attendance. The camp focuses on all positions for players ages 6 to 16 and is limited to 150 attendees.

The camp will be from 1 to 5 p.m. and costs $55, but scholarships will be provided by Academy Sports and Outdoors. To register, go to everettsm.com or call 864-350-1222.

Email Richard Davenport at

rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports on 07/01/2016

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