The Recruiting Guy

Anderson, Cleveland return home seeking guard

Arkansas coach Mike Anderson (left) and assistant coach T.J. Cleveland direct their team against Missouri Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, during the second half of play in Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.
Arkansas coach Mike Anderson (left) and assistant coach T.J. Cleveland direct their team against Missouri Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, during the second half of play in Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.

Arkansas basketball Coach Mike Anderson and assistant T.J. Cleveland are going back to their hometown of Birmingham, Ala., in hopes of luring highly regarded guard Jamal Johnson.

Johnson, 6-4, 180 of Birmingham (Ala.) Spain Park, has numerous offers from Arkansas, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia and others. The coaches being from the same city could be a benefit for the Razorbacks.

"It's just like a family atmosphere there," Johnson said.

He averaged 17.3 points and 6.7 rebounds as a sophomore and 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4.4 assists as a junior.

"I feel like Arkansas could be a good place for me because Arkansas likes the tall, longer guards that are very active and play a really pace and they get into transition," Johnson said.

ESPN rates him the No. 26 shooting guard in the nation and No. 5 prospect in Alabama. He said he and Cleveland have been talking for a month.

"It's been going good," Johnson said. "We've been talking about recruiting and how I would fit into the program."

Johnson's father, Buck, played at Alabama and was a first-round pick in 1986 by the Houston Rockets. He plays for spring and summer ball with Team Carroll that's sponsored by Toronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll, who played for Anderson at Missouri.

"I think he's going to come by and watch us play after the playoffs are over," Johnson said.

Johnson and Cleveland have talked about a visit to Fayetteville.

"We haven't made an official date yet, but I feel like June would be a good time because we don't have a lot of tournaments," Johnson said.

He's also hoping to visit Wake Forest, Harvard, Georgia and Vanderbilt this summer. Johnson has a 3.9 grade-point average and is considering communications or sports management as majors.

He credits his parents for his personality.

"My mom can really talk to anybody and she has a great personality and the same thing with my dad, he has a lot of charisma," Johnson said.

Johnson is looking beyond basketball when he makes his college decision.

"I want to go to school I can be set after basketball and I want to find a place where I can call home and a very good family environment," he said. "I want to go somewhere I can compete"

UA added to list

Tight end Lecitus Smith added to his scholarship list when Arkansas defensive line coach Rory Segrest told him recently he was receiving one from the Hogs

"I was really shocked that I got an offer from them, but I was really excited and I appreciated it," Smith said. "I told him that."

Smith, 6-4, 260 pounds of Fitzgerald. Ga., also has offers from Virginia Tech, Oklahoma State, Louisville, North Carolina State and others. His relationship with Segrest is in the early stages.

"He seems like a pretty good guy and a stand-up guy," Smith said. "He told me where I need to be with my school work and what it's going to take to get me to the next level."

A visit to Arkansas is a strong possibility.

"One of my coaches at the high school are planning trips and things like that I think ... I'm not exactly sure, but I'm pretty sure I should be visiting this summer," Smith said.

Smith works about 35 hours a week and often works 6 days a week during the football season.

"It's not as hard as a lot of people think it is, and then on the other hand, my family is a lot of motivation for me," Smith said.

Segrest has talked to him about playing on the defensive line.

"I prefer to play tight end, but if it ever comes to the point where I have to play defense then I will do that with no problem," Smith said, adding he plans to announce his decision this summer.

"Schools like Arkansas, Louisville and Virginia they pretty much have me going, but I'm not sure I'm ready to commit yet," he said. "It's going to be this summer, it's going to be pretty soon."

Email Richard Davenport at

rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports on 05/29/2016

Upcoming Events