THE RECRUITING GUY : Future Hog Moss on pace for exceptional season

RICHARD DAVENPORT

Posted on Tuesday, October 14, 2008

URL: http://www.wholehogsports.com/adg/240258/

Rockwall (Texas ) Heath linebacker Austin Moss, who orally committed to Arkansas in late July, had an outstanding junior year, but he’s on pace to surpass some of his totals this season.

Moss, 6-3, 217 pounds, 4. 57 seconds in the 40-yard dash, had 142 tackles, 14 tackles for losses, 5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 3 recovered fumbles and 1 interception as a junior.

In six games this season, he’s recorded 90 tackles, 5 tackles for losses, 2 sacks, 1 quarterback hurry, 1 blocked field goal and 1 pass breakup.

Four regular-season games, and possibly the playoffs, remain.

Moss had 22 tackles in Heath’s 27-3 victory over Carrollton Newman Smith on Friday. The week before, he made 14 tackles in the 38-21 victory over Rockwall.

Moss said his play recognition has improved from last year and believes off-season workouts have increased his speed and made him more physical.

“I’ve improved my strength and gotten faster from working out over the summer,” said Moss, who bench presses 325 pounds, squats 475 and has a 4. 15 pro-shuttle time. “That’s improved my game the way I play. I’ve been able to run guys down, that’s really been a big improvement. Especially handling blockers, I’ve been able to use my hands and throw them around.”

Moss, whose father, Mickey, coached him at South Garland last year before being hired at Heath, played some at outside linebacker in the early part of the season but saw teams running the opposite direction.

The elder Moss said moving Austin to the middle has benefited the team.

“We’ve basically been able to play a 4-1 front,” Mickey Moss said, “and let him take care of the inside for us. It allows us to do other things on the edge with the outside ’backers because he’s so physical inside. He’s made a lot of offensive linemen’s knees buckle when they come out on him.”

Despite picking Arkansas over about 17 others schools, including Tennessee, Oklahoma State, Wisconsin and Kansas, Moss said he still receives mail from Arkansas recruiting coordinator Tim Horton every day and usually talks to Horton about once a week.

Other schools haven’t stopped sending him mail, according to Moss.

He said he receives about eight pieces of mail a day from seven to eight schools, including Baylor, Oklahoma, LSU, Ole Miss and Kentucky.

“Most of the coaches know I’ve committed. I’m still going to hold my commitment. I’m going to stay firm with that,” Moss said.

The elder Moss and his wife, Sarah, have five kids, with Austin being the oldest. Mickey Moss said he treasures coaching his son.

“I can’t believe his senior season is here and we’re already halfway through the regular season,” Moss said.

“I have a 12-year-old son, who’s also my ball boy, and before the kickoff in every game we get to stand next to each other during the national anthem and I do a lot of reflecting during that short time on how blessed I am. I have two sons here, one on my right and one on my left.” You can go to the recruiting blog to see Austin Moss ’ highlight video of his first five games.

DL PLANS VISIT Defensive lineman Kevin Lowry 6-3, 280, 5. 0, of Gainesville, Fla., has a scholarship offer from the Razorbacks and has indicated in the past that Arkansas was his favorite. Lowry said he and offensive coordinator Paul Petrino talked a few weeks ago about arranging a visit. “He was telling me to keep up my grades and asked me if I was still interested,” said Lowry, who reports a 300-pound bench press, 545 squat and a 4. 39-second pro-shuttle time. “We talked about coming up there for the Ole Miss game. We have a game on a Thursday, and we’re planning to come, but I have to talk to him.

“ They have a good strong program. I like Arkansas a lot. I’m a pig,” Lowry said laughing.

After five games, Lowry said he’s pleased with his production on the field.

Sullivan said Auburn, Louisville, Ball State and Troy are other schools showing the most interest.

He said the Tigers appear close to offering a scholarship.

Lowry said he attended the Auburn-LSU game on Sept. 20 in Auburn, Ala.

E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline. com