THE RECRUITING GUY : Moss takes another visit to check out Razorbacks

RICHARD DAVENPORT

Posted on Friday, June 20, 2008

URL: http://www.wholehogsports.com/adg/229185/

Highly touted linebacker Austin Moss of Rockwell (Texas ) Heath made his second unofficial visit to Arkansas on Wednesday.

Moss, 6-3, 210, 4. 64 speed in the 40-yard dash, already knows plenty about the Razorbacks and Arkansas.

He visited the university earlier in the spring, and he has several family ties to the state.

His father, Mickey, played linebacker and was a four-year letterman at Southern Arkansas. He also coached high school football in the state, including stops at Magnolia and Hamburg, where he led the Lions to the 1997 Class 5 A state championship game.

Moss’ mother, Sarah, is from the Hope and graduated from Central Arkansas, and Moss still has family in the Hot Springs, Conway and Hope areas.

There is no doubt Moss heard plenty of good things about Arkansas from the Razorbacks coaches during his visit, but he also encountered much the same at a family reunion on Memorial Day in Hot Springs.

“When I got up there it was like a recruiting visit,” Moss said. “They were talking about the history of Arkansas. One of my uncles really keeps up with that. They talked about how great the fans were and if you go there you’re like a celebrity.”

Moss was coached by his father last year at South Garland, but he will play at Rockwell Heath this coming season after his father was hired there.

Moss recorded 142 tackles, 14 tackles for losses, 5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 3 recovered fumbles and 1 interception last season.

Moss has 17 scholarship offers, including one from Arkansas.

He arrived on campus about 9 a. m. and left around 6: 30 p. m.

Moss said he learned quite a bit on his second visit and spent more time with Coach Bobby Petrino, linebackers coach Reggie Johnson and defensive coordinator Willy Robinson.

“I liked it,” Moss said. “They planned it all out for me. I got to watch them work out. I got to talk to the counselors for academic help. It gave me a better view of it, and I liked what I saw.

“ I got to talk to Coach Petrino, Coach Johnson and Coach Robinson a lot more. That gave me a feel for what they’re like.”

Robinson and Johnson talked to Moss about utilizing him at inside and outside linebacker.

Moss said coaches told him that if he came to Arkansas he would have a shot at playing time as a freshman.

“[Johnson ] and Coach Robinson took me through a plan,” Moss said.

Moss talked to Petrino for 20 to 30 minutes about a variety of things, including their love of fishing.

Moss said he has visited TCU, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Texas, Iowa State, Baylor and Oklahoma State. He said he’s not sure about what other visits he might take. “I really don’t know,” he said. “It’s all about trying to find time to go to some places. I might try and go East.”

BUSH CHECKING OUT UA Arkansas-Fort Smith swingman Jenirro Bush has his eyes on Arkansas again. Bush, 6-7, 178, orally committed to the Hogs while still at East Oktibbeha County High School in Mississippi. He committed to former Razorbacks Coach Stan Heath in February 2007, then reopened his recruitment after Heath’s firing. Bush signed with Jackson State but failed to qualify, and he eventually landed at Arkansas-Fort Smith. Bush has offers from LSU and Alabama and has a host of others showing interest, including Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas State, Mississippi State, Tennessee and Oklahoma State. Arkansas-Fort Smith Coach Josh Newman said he believes Bush will be one of the top junior-college players in the nation next season.

“He’s very talented and very versatile,” Newman said. “He can play three positions. He can play the two, the three or even the point. He’s a phenomenal shooter, and he’s extremely athletic and he’s got a 37-inch vertical leap. He’s long and he has high basketball IQ.”

Newman said Big Ten and Big 12 schools are trying to get in the race for Bush but have an uphill battle.

“He’s from the South, and he wants to play in the SEC,” said Newman, who led the Lions to a 28-4 record and a conference title last season. “That’s been a goal of his for his entire life. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the league he ends up in.”

Bush said getting to know the current Arkansas coaching staff has him interested in the Hogs again.

“I’m still interested in Arkansas,” Bush said. “It’s gotten better since I’ve got to know the coaches better. I like the players and the fans. Their fans are crazy. They keep you hyped.”

Bush talked favorably of assistant Isaac Brown, who is recruiting him.

“He’s cool. He’s a down-toearth guy,” Bush said. “We really have a close relationship.”

Bush said he attended a few Arkansas games last year and has developed relationships with many of the current players and former Hog Sonny Weems, who also starred at Arkansas-Fort Smith.

“I used to talk to Sonny when he was there,” Bush said. “I’ve played with Sonny. He’s came down here and played a couple of times.”

Bush said he plans to sign during the early signing period in October.

Newman said the Razorbacks also have inquired about point guard LaDustin Williams, 6-1, 150, who played at Jonesboro High School. E-mail Richard Davenport at rdaven port@arkansasonline. com