Star City sophomore defensive lineman Austin Capps received his first scholarship offer from Arkansas after showing an unusual combination of power and quickness at the Hogs' three day camp last week.
Capps' performance at the camp and physical maturity at such an early age is something that's probably never been seen for a defensive line prospect in the state.
While some may take a break after earning a SEC offer, Capps was back to work the next morning after the Razorback camp. He did a full upper body work out that included flipping a tire of about 50 pounds and a larger one weighing about 150.
"He didn’t miss a beat," said Star City defensive coordinator John Welsh. "He came in when I was here. I unlocked the doors at 7 o’clock and he was ready to work. That's just how he is. He stayed here until about 10:30."
Capps, 6-4, 298, 5.1 seconds in the 40 yard dash, also attended the LSU camp and recorded a 31-inch vertical. He reports a 315 pound bench press and 530 squat.
"He started for me in junior high last year and when it was over he just went up the high school and he didn't miss a beat," Welsh said. "The hardest part for him to that point he always had everybody running from him and then our seniors didn’t run from him."
After helping his junior high team to an undefeated season, Capps played against Lake Village, Dewitt and Crossett and recorded 12 assisted tackles, 6 unassisted tackles and 2 sacks for the varsity.
"He was one of our leading tacklers in the playoffs at defensive tackle," Welsh said.
Welsh said Capps' upside is unlimited.
"If he keeps his work ethic up like I know he can, he can write his own ticket to wherever he wants to go," Welsh said. "He's the first one here and he’ll be the last one to go every day."
His late father played football for McGehee in the late 1980's and then went on to play for Arkansas State. While at Stuttgart, Welsh coached former LSU center Brett Helms, who played in 46 games, starting 41 for the Tigers from 2005 to 2008.
"Helms was a beast but Capps is even more of the beast," Welsh said. "I didn't think I would ever coach another one that would be better than Helms at his age. Capps is even more of an athlete than that."
Capps also plays center for the basketball team and was recruited to play for the Arkansas Wings but declined. Welsh is hoping to work with Capps in throwing the shot put.
"I think you can when the state in the shot as a 10th-grader," Welsh said.
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