FAYETTEVILLE — Helena West-Helena Central cornerback Darius Winston reaffirmed his oral commitment to Arkansas after visiting campus Friday and Saturday.

Winston, 6-0, 175 pounds, 4. 37 seconds in the 40-yard dash, said he originally committed to Arkansas without knowing much about the new coaching staff. An unofficial visit scheduled for earlier this month was delayed by snowy conditions in central Arkansas.

But after meeting defensive backs coach Lorenzo Ward and Coach Bobby Petrino and visiting the academic center and weight room, Winston said he felt better about his commitment than before.

“Coach Ward went over stuff with me and showed me what he expects from a cornerback,” Winston said. “He showed me what it will be like when I get to be a Razorback. Coach Petrino is a nice person, too, and it was good to meet him. The entire visit was just a whole lot better than I thought it would be.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Winston said Ward impressed him with his plan for cornerbacks in Arkansas’ new defensive scheme.

“He said he liked to play man,” Winston said, “but he said he wants his cornerbacks to know everything and all the coverages.”

Winston, who said he has received 16 scholarship offers, said it’s nice to be wanted by so many programs but that he was solidly committed to Arkansas.

“I like that they had a good recruiting class in February,” said Winston, who still has his senior year of high school ahead of him. “Coach Petrino will get the passing going this season. I like the direction the program is going at Arkansas.”

Winston said he plans to work hard his senior season with an eye on getting playing time as a freshman in 2009.

“At cornerback, I’m good at bump-and-run coverage,” Winston said. “That is my technique. When I play against a wide receiver, I can play inside of him because I don’t think anyone can run past me.”

Winston said he will return to Arkansas on April 26 to attend the Red-White game and Junior Day. Winston and Fayetteville offensive lineman Colby Berna, 6-4, 280, 5. 1, are both early commitments to Arkansas for the class of 2009. In the state, Arkansas also has offers out to Dollarway athlete Jesse Grandy, 5-11, 154, 4. 44, and Pulaski Academy wide receiver Neal Barlow, 6-7, 200, 4. 6.

Football is Winston’s primary sport, but a few years ago, Winston would just as soon be playing at Bud Walton Arena than Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Then, Ahmad Carroll and Chris Houston played for the Hogs and went in the first round of the NFL Draft.

“That got me excited about football,” Winston said.

Choosing Arkansas was the easy part. “Basically, I have just loved the Razorbacks all my life,” Winston said. “It’s close to home, but more than that, I just love the Razorbacks and want to play for them.”