Arkansas Razorbacks receivers coach Justin Stepps made a strong impression on Oklahoma receiver commitment Treveon Johnson while he attended an SMU camp as a sophomore.
"One of the first camps I went to was at SMU, and I was trying to get interest from them," Johnson said. "I did well, but not as well as I expected. Coach Stepp taught me so much I was kind of a rookie at the receiver position, basically. I was more so an athlete. He help me line up correctly, getting off the ball faster. Different tips like that helped influence my game and got me to pretty develop into the receiver I am today."
Johnson, 6-2, 184 pounds, 4.43 seconds in the 40 yard dash, of Brenham, Texas, received a scholarship offer from Arkansas Coach Chad Morris and his staff Dec. 10 to go along with ones from Oklahoma, TCU, Texas Tech, Minnesota, Oregon State and others.
"When he told me he was going to Arkansas, it kind of blew my mind a little bit," Johnson said of Stepp. "He told me what they're trying to have up there, so he kind of got me interested."
Johnson rushed 38 times for 547 yards and 7 touchdowns while also catching 18 passes for 264 yards and 2 touchdowns as a senior. He plans to officially visit the Hogs on Jan. 19-21.
"Right now, I'm pretty solid to OU, but I'm going to go up there. But like I said, I have a really big interest in Coach Stepp," said Johnson, who officially visited Oklahoma in October. "I love Coach Morris' offense. Also they're telling me there's a good chance I can come up there and get a lot of PT [playing time] early. That's also factoring into it. That's why I'm taking the [official visit]. It's kind of a look and see if the environment fits me."
When talking about an environment, Johnson said he is primarily referring to the fan base.
"I love like a strong fan base," Johnson said. "Anywhere I know I can have so many fans at every home game or just know it's a football town or city."
Johnson has a 3.4 grade point average and is looking to major in sports management.
"I'm trying to be a sports agent," he said.
Morris has said he likes multi-sports athletes. Johnson runs the 100, 200 and 400 meters in track and has a best of 48.2 seconds in the 400 as a sophomore and 10.8 seconds in the 100.
Like most who choose to tackle the 400 meters, Johnson said he knows there's a point in the race where it's painful and gut check time and it turns into a "man's race."
"The point when it's really serious for me is probably the last 50 meters," Johnson said. "That's that fight you have to have with the understanding that either you're going to do it or you're gong to give up."
He also said he sees the race as a way to challenge his mental toughness.
"You have to understand that, yeah, everyone can be fit, everyone can be that guy who thinks they have speed," Johnson said. "But it's different ballgame when you have to run that distance and keep that speed and keep that mentality that you have to finish."
Mincey decommits
Defensive lineman John Mincey announced on Twitter on Thursday he was reopening his recruitment and is no longer committed to Arkansas.
"After serious prayer and talks with my family, I have decided to decommit from Arkansas," Mincey said. "I am thankful for all the support I received from the coaching staff."
Mincey, 6-4, 265, 4.7, of Homerville (Ga.) Clinch County, pledged to the Hogs and former foach Bret Bielema last summer in July. Razorbacks defensive tackles coach John Scott Jr. and defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell are expected to visit him Saturday.
He plans to visit Tennessee on Jan. 19-21, Arkansas on Jan. 26-28 and Florida State on Feb. 2-4.
On the road again
Arkansas' football coaches will go on the road today, the first day of the January contact period, to see recruits.
Receiver Tommy Bush, 6-5, 187, 4.47, of Schertz (Texas) Clemens, is expecting Razorbacks Coach Chad Morris and receivers coach Justin Stepp to see him today.
Arkansas offensive line commitment Noah Gatlin, 6-7, 300, of Jonesboro, is expecting offensive coordinator Joe Craddock and offensive line coach Dustin Fry to visit him today.
Mississippi State safety commitment Myles Mason, 6-2, 205, of Hewitt-Trussville High School in Alabama expects defensive coordinator John Chavis and secondary coach Ron Cooper to see him today.
Email Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 01/12/2018