LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino opened Liberty Bowl practices in hopes of aiding recruiting efforts in Memphis.
Mission accomplished.
Several of the top 2011 prospects in Memphis and their coaches have attended Arkansas practices this week.
Two juniors from Briarcrest Christian, quarterback Michael Johnson and center Hunter Long, have taken advantage of the opportunity to watch the Hogs prepare for Saturday’s game against East Carolina.
Johnson, 6-6, 195 pounds, 4.83 seconds in the 40-yard dash, is drawing interest from Arkansas, Alabama, UCLA, Georgia, Syracuse, Illinois, Boston College and others. He was impressed with several aspects of Arkansas’ practice.
“I can tell the coaches love what they’re doing,” Johnson said. “They’re into it. They love teaching kids on what they’re supposed to be doing. The intensity is incredible. Everyone knows what they’re doing. It’s just constant work, just getting better. Every second counts. That’s what I like.”
Johnson, who completed 136 of 257 passes for 1,998 yards and 21 touchdowns with 8 interceptions this past season, sees some similarities between himself and Ryan Mallett.
“I love Ryan Mallett,” Johnson said. “He’s my size, and I can relate to him. He can throw the ball very hard. I think I can throw the ball pretty hard, too. The way he can get away from the center so quick with his size impresses me. He can run. He’s a threat either way.”
Johnson and Long attended the Georgia game in Fayetteville on an unofficial visit.
“I loved it,” Johnson said. “It’s a beautiful campus. When I saw the campus I was like, ‘Wow’. I told my parents I could actually see myself here. It was great experience. I loved the fans, and the atmosphere was great.”
Johnson said he is open to schools regardless of location.
“I was born in the South and I love SEC schools,” Johnson said. “That’s my thing, but I don’t believe location really matters.”
The school that is first to offer a scholarship could gain favor from Johnson.
“The first offer would be huge for anybody,” Johnson said. “It would go a long way with me. I love when schools show interest in me. Playing time would be a big factor.”
Long, 6-4, 285 pounds, 5.2, has a scholarship offer from Memphis and is receiving interest from Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, LSU, Vanderbilt, North Carolina and others.
In addition to seeing the Arkansas-Georgia game, Long said he and Johnson traveled to LSU, Tennessee, Georgia, Ole Miss, Alabama and Memphis for games this past season, but the Hogs stood out.
“I love the campus,” said Long, who bench presses 325 pounds and can do 10 reps of 315 pounds in the squat. “All of the coaches were cool. The game was one of the loudest I’ve attended this year. The crowd was really into it. The game was really intense because it came down to the last few minutes. The crowd was crazy.”
Arkansas’ close proximity to Memphis is also a plus for Long.
“I love it because it’s not too far away from home,” Long said. “My parents could come down there. We didn’t get to see any of the academic stuff or the dorms, but we got to see the weight room - and that was crazy because of how big it was - and got to see the practice facilities and the locker room.
“I just really love the atmosphere there for the games.”
Long’s brother, Austin, was a highly recruited offensive lineman last year and signed with Georgia. He will be helpful in Hunter’s recruiting.
“I learned a lot from my brother and watching him make his decision,” Long said. “It’s cool having him tell me tips on the recruiting process.
“A lot of coaches think because my brother goes there I’m automatically going there. That could be where I end up, but it’s not a for sure thing. I just have to find a place where I fit in.”
A FAST LEARNER
Junior athlete Tino Thomas, 6-0, 192 pounds, 4.45, of Melrose High School is another Memphis prospect Arkansas is evaluating.
Thomas also is drawing interest from LSU, Miami, Alabama, Kansas State, Duke, Tennessee, Oregon, Vanderbilt, Stanford and others.
Thomas, who plays running back and safety, sent his highlight tape to Arkansas a few weeks ago. He had about 50 tackles, 5 interceptions and rushed for about 800 yards this season.
“I like their tradition and how they play,” Thomas said. “I’ve always been a fan of Arkansas.”
Thomas is also a standout in track with times of 10.68 seconds in the 100 meters, 21.2 seconds in the 200 and 48.0 seconds in the 400. He said he wouldn’t mind being a two-sport athlete in college.
“After I’m done with football season I wouldn’t mind running track in college,” Thomas said. “I run track year around with AAU. I’m trying to get my times as low as I can.”
Wherever he decides to attend college, Thomas will be focused in the classroom.
“I’m always on top of my grades,” said Thomas, who has a 4.0 grade-point average and plans to major in business. “That’s a big deal with me. School comes first.”
E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports, Pages 25 on 01/01/2010