LITTLE ROCK — California junior college defensive lineman Marquel Combs has a chance to play closer to his hometown of Memphis, thanks to a scholarship offer by Arkansas on Wednesday.
Combs, 6-3, 305 pounds, 4.95 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Pierce Community College in Woodland Hills, Calif., has also received scholarship offers from Texas Te c h , O l e Miss, Arizona, North Carolina, Florida International and Utah.
“I’m overwhelmed that I got the offer,” said Combs, who received the news from Razorbacks defensive tackles coach Kevin Peoples. “I really wasn’t expecting an offer. I just thought they were just going to look at my film.
“[Peoples] liked my athleticism a lot and how I get off the line and use my hands and how I get after the ball. He was a real good dude. He seems like he’s a real nice guy.”
Combs, who played at Memphis Hamilton High School, said his mother was thrilled to hear about the offer.
“It’s close to home so my mom, and my family can come see me play,” said Combs, who plans to graduate in December and enroll in his new school in January. “They love that. They were happy and saying, ‘It’s close to home and we can come see you play.’ They would tailgate and all that.”
Combs said he is also happy to have the chance to play in the SEC, calling it, “the little league of the NFL for college.” MCKAY’S WAY
Junior college power forward Jameel McKay said he’s attracted to Arkansas’ men’s basketball team because of the style of play, Coach Mike Anderson’s track record of success and having family in the state.
McKay, 6-8 1/2, 198, of Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa, reports scholarship offers from Arkansas, Memphis, Missouri, Iowa State and Wichita State. He’s averaging 14.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game while shooting 62 percent from the field during his freshman season.
He said the SEC is another reason for his interest in the Hogs.
“That’s one of the top conferences in the nation,” said McKay, who is from Milwaukee and is a 2013 prospect. “I would get a chance to play against some quality competition every night. Coach Anderson’s background ... that keeps me interested and I have family in Little Rock.”
McKay said he possesses a well-rounded game, but said he’s at his best when hitting the boards.
“I excel in rebounding,” McKay said. “I can score, but I bring defense and energy on the court and I can rebound at a high level. I finish real well around the basket . My jumper is good, but it can always get better.” TENPENNY NEWS
North Little Rock running back Altee Tenpenny will have the luxury of picking from the three major national high school all-star football games next January.
CBS Sports Network national recruiting analyst Tom Lemming extended Tenpenny an invitation to play in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in Phoenix in December.
This week, Tenpenny also received invites to the U.S. Army All American Bowl in San Antonio and the Under Armour All American game in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Tenpenny, who has orally committed to Alabama, plans to visit Arkansas on March 3.
Fayetteville quarterback Austin Allen and linebacker Brooks Ellis along with Pulaski Academy tight end Hunter Henry have been also been invited to play in the Semper Fidelis game.
E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports, Pages 33 on 02/19/2012