THE RECRUITING GUY : UA has eye on Fort Scott prospects

RICHARD DAVENPORT

Posted on Friday, October 10, 2008

URL: http://www.wholehogsports.com/adg/239821/

Arkansas quarterback coach Garrick McGee traveled to Fort Scott Community College in Kansas last Friday to check out three of the top junior college prospects in the nation.

The Greyhounds are 5-0 and ranked No. 5 in the latest National Junior College Athletic Association poll, thanks in large part to receiver Brandon Kinnie, linebacker Jacquin Williams and defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul.

Kinnie, 6-3, 215 pounds, 4. 4 seconds in the 40-yard dash, said he has scholarship offers from Nebraska and Arkansas and is receiving strong interest from LSU, Kansas, Kansas State and Georgia.

He has taken unofficial and official visits to Nebraska, and made an unofficial visit to Arkansas during the summer. He said he also plans to take an official visit to Fayetteville.

Kinnie said Nebraska is still tops on his list.

“I took the unofficial down there, and I think that’s why Nebraska is high on my list,” he said. “Arkansas isn’t too far from [behind ] them.”

Kinnie, who played high school ball at Kansas City (Mo. ) Grandview, redshirted last year and will have three years of eligibility at a four-year school. He has caught 25 passes for 454 yards and 6 touchdowns but still sees room for improvement.

“I think I’ve done all right,” Kinnie said. “I think I have a long way to go because I’m just a redshirt freshman and I’m still trying to get my name out there.”

He and McGee also have developed a good relationship.

“I like him a lot,” Kinnie said. “I liked the first time when he came up for spring ball. I liked his vibe when I went down there for my unofficial. We talked a lot.”

Pierre-Paul, 6-6, 265, 4. 65, said he has offers from Kansas State, Kansas, LSU, Arkansas, South Florida, Central Florida and Florida International.

Pierre-Paul is from Deerfield Beach, Fla., but he said he has no favorites and that going back to his home state isn’t a priority.

“I know I’m going to visit Arkansas, LSU and South Florida,” said Pierre-Paul, who said he can bench press 225 pounds 20 times. “I’m going to take all five visits if it’s possible.”

He credits McGee for his interest in the Razorbacks.

“I like the coach, and he said they were interested in me,” Pierre-Paul said. “It’s a good school, so I want to check out the school. Wherever I can play football, I’m going.” Pierre-Paul has played well this season, recording 20

unas-1 sisted tackles, 11 assisted, 11 / 2 tackles for losses of 45 yards, 1 5 / 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery. “I’m a playmaker,” he said. “I’m a fast player, just all out.” Pierre-Paul said he doesn’t know much about Arkansas but is looking for school where he has a good relationship with the coaching staff and can get his degree. He’ll have two years of eligibility. Kinnie and Pierre-Paul will be spring graduates.

IMPRESSED WITH UA Arkansas played host to one of the top prospects in Oklahoma’s 2010 class last weekend. Calvin Barnett, 6-3, 310, 5. 5, of Tulsa Washington, liked what he saw during his unofficial visit. “It looks like it’s a real good program,” Barnett said. “I haven’t been to too many schools, so I didn’t know what to look for, but I really liked it. I think I’ll be pretty successful on that level, too.” Barnett said he has been to Tulsa and Kansas State but was more impressed with what he saw at Arkansas. “I went to camp [at Kansas State ] this summer and I was liking it and I was like, ‘Man, this is nice,’ and then I went to Arkansas and I was thinking this is way better than Kansas State,” he said. “The facilities, I wasn’t necessarily treated better, but I received more attention. More people shook my hand and gave me more attention.

“ It made me feel a little more important than I was at Kansas State. I’ll probably come back for a few more Arkansas games since I like the campus.”

Barnett reports a 350-pound bench press, a 450 squat, a 25-inch vertical leap and a 4. 78-second time in the pro shuttle.

“He anchors that offensive line, and putting him in the middle he can be more of a force,” Tulsa Washington Coach Antwain Jimmerson said. “Defensively, he’s played unbelievable. He’s a kid that demands a double team. If you don’t double-team him, you’ll have a hard time blocking him 1-on-1.

“ He has about four sacks and about 10 tackles for losses already. He even had a pick last week.”

Barnett said Jimmerson is trying to keep him focused and not concerned about recruiting, but he knows Arkansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Oregon, Notre Dame and others have shown interest.