LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas is looking to fill several spots on the defense for next year and hosted three junior college prospects Friday.
Defensive lineman Toby Johnson along with linebackers Antonio Longino and Kenny Flowers Jr. from Hutchinson Community College in Kansas liked what they saw on their unofficial visits.
Johnson, 6-4, 300 pounds, 4.89 seconds in the 40-yard dash, reports more than 20 scholarship offers, including ones from Arkansas, Georgia, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas A&M and Nebraska. Secondary coach Bobby Allen is the lead recruiter of the three.
“I liked the visit a lot,” said Johnson, who plans to graduate in December and enroll at his new school. “It kind of showed me what they’re trying to do down there. They showed me the depth chart. I feel like I can come in and make a big impact right away.”
Allen and defensive tackles coach Kevin Peoples gave the three a tour of campus and the football facilities.
“They have top-notch facilities,” said Johnson, who also has visited Tennessee, Texas A&M and Arkansas State. “They have the biggest weight room I’ve seen so far. They’re about to have the biggest locker room next season. They’re rebuilding around there, and they have a lot of stuff they’re trying to do. The stadium looked real nice.”
Johnson, who had 50 tackles, 10 1/2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 9 quarterback hurries, 5 pass breakups, 5 deflected passes, 1 forced fumble, 1 recovered fumble and 2 blocked field goals last year, liked the Hogs’ depth chart.
“When I come in there I should be able to at least start right away,” said Johnson, who reports a 375-pound bench press and a 450-pound squat. “I know I would get extra playing time but I really want to start.”
He said all of the schools recruiting him are even.
“But I like Arkansas a lot,” said Johnson, who is planning to make an official visit to Arkansas for the Alabama or LSU game. “It helped a lot with me going up there to visit and get a chance to talk to Coach [John L.] Smith. He seems like a cool coach. The players were real cool.”
Longino, 6-3, 220, 4.4, reports scholarship offers from Arkansas, Texas A&M, West Virginia, Texas Tech, Toledo and Cincinnati. He said the Hogs offered him about a week ago.
“I liked the visit,” said Longino, who reports a 345-pound bench press and a 470-pound squat. “The school, the football program is nice. Everything was just nice. I’m really leaning towards them now. I liked everything. There’s nothing wrong with that school, everything is right.”
He met several players, including quarterback Tyler Wilson and linebacker Alonzo Highsmith, and was impressed with the work ethic of the team.
“The weight room blew my mind,” Longino said. “Everybody was in there just working when it wasn’t mandatory. I liked that.”
Longino, who redshirted last year and will have three years to play three, said he liked Allen’s sense of humor and his honest approach in recruiting.
“You can see how some coaches will tell you things just to get you there, but he’s really cool for real and I like it,” Longino said.
Longino, who has visited Texas A&M, said he’s unsure when he’ll make a decision but wants to take a visit to West Virginia and another school.
Flowers, 6-1, 217, 4.50, reports scholarship offers from Texas A&M, Indiana and West Virginia while Arkansas, Georgia and others are showing interest.
“I was thinking it was like even better and I really want to go there,” Flowers said of Arkansas. “It looked better than I thought it would. “
Flowers said he was told by Allen that the Hogs like his talents.
“He said there’s a possibility for an offer,” Flowers said. “He said they’re looking at a few juco guys to offer. “
Flowers said he was impressed with the overall football program and what the Hogs have to offer, including the weight room.
“I like all the technology,” said Flowers, who redshirted last year and will have three years to play three. “I haven’t seen anything like that in a weight room.”
Flowers has visited Texas A&M and is planning visits to West Virginia and Georgia.
“They’re definitely in my top list of schools,” Flowers said. “They’re looking pretty good, and if they offer me they’re looking even better.”
E-mail Richard Davenport at
Sports, Pages 21 on 05/29/2012