FAYETTEVILLE — The Class of 2010 in Arkansas is considered a very good one with a lot of football prospects emerging for the recruiters, but it stands to get stronger soon with the return of Blake James to Little Rock Central.

James, 6-1, 220, 4. 7 seconds in the 40-yard dash, is the son of former Arkansas All-American Bruce James, and he started as a freshman at Little Rock Central. James then moved to Ocean Springs, Miss., and started there as a sophomore. James finished his sophomore season with 69 unassisted tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 3 caused fumbles and 1 recovered fumble. James is pleased to be moving back to Arkansas.

“It’s just overwhelming to be going back to Central,” James said. “I have been able to keep in touch with some members of that [2006 ] team.” Little Rock Central doesn’t have many freshmen starting on its varsity team, and James reflected back on that season Saturday.

“To me, it was a great achievement,” James said. “I said before that season I was going to try my hardest to get the most out of my freshman season.” James’ father was a first-team All-American at Arkansas following the 1970 season, was second team in 1969 and third team in 1968. He knows many will try to compare his son to him, but Bruce James said Saturday that’s an unfair comparison.

“Blake is better as a sophomore than I ever was,” Bruce said. “If he was 6-3 or 6-4, he would have 15 or 20 offers right now. He’s a better football player than I was at that age, and there’s no question about that.” The younger James feels he has some strengths in his game and is also working to continue to improve.

“I feel my sense of the game and my ability to read the play is my strength,” James said. “I feel I need to work on my speed as I prepare for the next level. I need to knock that [speed ] down and move up and down the field faster.” James plans to attend the summer football camp at Arkansas and hopefully make a good impression on new Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino. James has a 4. 0 gradepoint average and has attracted plenty of attention from schools around the nation because of both his athletic and academic skills. James, who naturally likes Arkansas since his father is considered one of the best to ever play for the Razorbacks, was impressed when Arkansas hired Petrino.

“I like the new coach,” James said. “I like what he brings to Arkansas. He believes in hitting every day and being physical.

“ He has been in professional football, and I feel his style of offense will be good for Arkansas’ team and its fans.” James said when it comes time to pick a college, he will have some things he looks for on visits.

“I will look at the surroundings for one thing,” James said. “The academics are important to me. I would also like to go where the coach is kind of like a father figure. I want to go where the coach cares for you.” Bruce James said it has been fun to follow his son’s progress on the gridiron but that he hasn’t pushed his son into athletics.

“In my family, if you want to play football, we’ll support you,” Bruce James said. “If you don’t want to play football, we’ll support you, too.” James said one thing his son does that has impressed him the most is his seriousness for the game and willingness to learn.

“He played and started every game at Little Rock Central as a freshman,” James said of his son. “Then, he goes to Ocean Springs and played both against All-Americans and with All-Americans. He works hard and will do what it takes to get better. Instead of getting the big head or something, he just told me, ‘ Dad, I’ve got to get better. ’”