While Bryant safety Dijon Benton has played in only one game this season, he’s off to a very good start and is helping his stock in the eyes of college coaches.

He helped the Hornets to a 36-12 victory over the rival Benton Panthers in the Salt Bowl last Tuesday night with three interceptions, returning one 28 yards for a score and another 90 yards for a touchdown that was called back due to a penalty.

In a preseason scrimmage against Pine Bluff, Benton recorded two interceptions in one half. Arkansas recruiting coordinator Tim Horton called him last week and requested film of his first few games.

“I’m just relaxed, focused and trusting my keys and relying on my instincts,” Benton said. “Sometimes you just don’t want to jump on the ball. You want to sit on it a little bit and wait until the quarterback drops his arm back and throws and then break on it.”

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Benton, 6-2, 183 pounds, 4. 57 seconds in the 40-yard dash, had a very productive junior season, recording 78 tackles, 5 interceptions and 2 recovered fumbles.

Bryant Coach Paul Calley said experience and Benton’s work ethic have made him a better player.

“It’s his third year to start,” said Calley, who has a 38-17-3 record at Bryant. “He’s more comfortable, he’s faster, and he’s stronger. He works every day, even Sundays. He’s put in the time to make himself better. During off-season, he plays basketball, and when he’s not in basketball, he’s in the weight room.”

Calley said Benton gave up summer basketball to work with former Razorback J. J. Meadors.

“He’s worked with J. J. Meadors every weekend for the last year and a couple of days during the week,” he said. “He works with him at least four days a week, working on his speed, his agility and his quickness.”

Benton ran a 4. 6 40-yard dash at the Louisiana Tech camp and was recorded by Meadors at 4. 57 this summer. He attended Arkansas’ camp July 19 and caught the attention of the Razorbacks’ coaches along with Arkansas commitment David Gordon, who praised Benton and said he would like to have him play in the secondary with him.

Benton has attended some Arkansas games and hopes to be playing in Fayetteville in the future.

“I get so much energy from the crowd and I’m not even playing,” he said. “It just makes you want to be a Razorback. Also, my family wants me to be a Razorback. It’s better to be a Razorback than going out of state, it’s home.”

UP AT NIGHT On Sept. 1, the first day coaches are allowed by the NCAA to call prospects, Arkansas’ coaches burned the midnight oil. Dayton, Texas, athlete A. J. Dugat, who’s orally committed to Houston, received a call from assistant coach Kirk Botkin at 12: 01 a. m. on Labor Day. Dugat, 6-0, 195, 4. 5, has indicated he might visit Arkansas. He has scholarship offers from Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Mississippi State and others. “He let me know he was interested in me,” said Dugat, who reports a 290-pound bench press and 395-pound squat. “He asked if I could make some of the games and asked what I thought about Arkansas. I told him I would have to talk to [Dayton ] Coach [Jerry ] Stewart about making it to one of their games. Coach Stewart is from there. If he goes out there for a game, I may go with Coach Stewart.” Stewart is originally from eastern Arkansas and coached at Rivercrest before moving to Texas. He has high praise for Dugat, who plays receiver, quarterback and cornerback.

“I believe he’s the best Friday night player in Texas,” Stewart said. “I don’t care what anybody else says. Nobody gets double- or triple-teamed more than he does. Everybody knows he’s going to get the ball. I’ve been down here in Texas since 1982, and we’ve had some pretty good ones, but he’s the best one I’ve had. He’s fun to watch. He’s worth the ticket price.”

Dugat caught 72 passes for 1, 028 yards and 14 touchdowns last year, and rushed for more than 500 yards and seven touchdowns.

Other schools like Oklahoma and Texas A&M are also recruiting Dugat but have told Stewart they wished he was a little taller. Stewart said he has a simple reply.

“He’s very physical. These receivers that are 6-4, he’ll jump up and slap them and take their candy,” Stewart said.

Last season, Dugat was paired against current Texas freshman D. J. Monroe, who was the Texas high school Class 4 A 100-meter champion in 2006 and had a personal best of 10. 31 seconds. But that failed to impress Dugat.

“I know no one has ever caught A. J. [from behind ],” Stewart said. “I told A. J. that he [Monroe ] won the state 100 meters. He said, ‘This ain’t track, Coach.’”

Stewart said Dugat has recorded 17 catches for 270 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2 games this season.

Dugat said he’s checked out the Razorbacks on the Internet and knows of Arkansas’ winning tradition. He said Houston and the Hogs are the only schools he’s considering at this time.

Dugat sounded confident when asked his preference on what position he plays in college.

“I can play everywhere,” he said.

E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline. com