RECRUITING : Grandy receives offer from Arkansas

OTIS KIRK

Posted on Sunday, March 23, 2008

URL: http://www.wholehogsports.com/adg/220585/

FAYETTEVILLE — Dollarway athlete Jesse Grandy hoped to improve his recruiting stock with a good showing at the Fellowship of Christian Athlete’s Football Combine last week and apparently he was successful.

Grandy, 5-11, 154, ran the 40-yard dash in 4. 52 seconds on his first attempt.

He wasn’t satisfied with that, even though it was one of the fastest times recorded to that point on the wet surface at War Memorial Stadium, and was determined to do better on his second attempt.

The only problem was he stumbled taking off on his next try, but even that didn’t stop him from recording a 4. 44.

In addition to the 40-yard dash time, Grandy recorded a 31-inch vertical jump and a standing broad jump of 113 inches.

Grandy received a scholarship offer from Arkansas this week. It is his first offer.

“It feels really, really good to know someone is really interested in me,” Grandy said. “I like Arkansas a lot. It’s the homestate school. I was impressed by Darren McFadden and Felix Jones this past season.

“ I don’t know a lot about Arkansas, but the couple of games I saw I knew it’s a good place to play football and go to school.”

Grandy was a do-it-all performer for Dollarway this past season.

He played punt returner, kick returner, quarterback, wide receiver, running back, safety, cornerback, kicker and punter.

“I feel my junior season went very well,” Grandy said. “I executed very, very well.”

Dollarway opened the season against Central Arkansas Christian in the Hooten’s Classic at UAPB.

Dollarway lost a close game to the Mustangs and standout receiver Joe Adams, one of the top players in the state last season who eventually signed with the Razorbacks.

“It was fun and exciting to play in a game of that type in front of a large crowd,” Grandy said.

Grandy said he is looking hard at Arkansas, LSU, Ohio State, Tennessee, Missouri and Texas.

He plans to take a long look at each school before making a decision.

“It starts with good education,” Grandy said.

“When it comes to sports, I want to go to an organized program.”

Grandy said he plans to attend a combine in Texas soon and as many summer camps as possible.

Other instate athletes holding offers to Arkansas are Helena-West Helena Central cornerback Darius Winston, 6-0, 175, 4. 37, Fayetteville offensive lineman Colby Berna, 6-4, 280, 5. 1, and Pulaski Academy wide receiver Neal Barlow, 6-6, 200, 4. 6.

BACK LIKES HOGS Aldine (Texas ) Eisenhower running back Curtis McGregor, 5-10, 190, 4. 5, is considered among the top recruits at his position in Texas, and he said this week Arkansas and LSU are his early favorites. Arkansas, Texas Tech and Arizona have offered scholarships, Mc-Gregor said. He carried 175 times for 982 yards and 8 touchdowns as a junior, and he caught 42 passes for 603 yards and 3 touchdowns.

He also returned 6 kickoffs for 135 yards.

As a sophomore, McGregor carried 117 times for 713 yards and 5 touchdowns.

McGregor said he tries to pattern himself after San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

“I can catch the ball out of the backfield on a slant pattern or screen pass or they can line me up in the slot,” he said.

“I have really good hands for a tailback.”

McGregor also watched a lot of Arkansas’ games last fall and was impressed by Darren McFadden.

“I saw him a lot last year,” Mc-Gregor said. “He runs hard every play. He has breakaway speed. In the open field, no will catch him. I liked him and Felix [Jones ].

“ Those two running backs are among the reasons I like Arkansas so much.”

McGregor said he plans to work a couple of camps into his busy schedule this summer.

He also plays point guard for the T-Mac All-Stars in AAU basketball.

“I haven’t been to Arkansas yet, but I’m going to visit there,” Mc-Gregor said. “I play both sports, but I like football best.”