This time last year North Little Rock cornerback Kavin Alexander made a name for himself after he scored 129.24 at the Nike Football SPARQ Combine in Dallas and finished first among about 1,200 other athletes.
Alexander, 5-11, 185, 4.32 seconds in the 40 yard dash, recorded 4.54 seconds in the 40 yard dash, 4.00 pro-shuttle, a 41.6 inch vertical and 39-foot power ball throw at the combine. He will try and best last year's results when he participates in the Nike Football SPARQ Combine at Allen high school in Texas on April 6.
"I think I can top that," said Alexander, who plans to visit Arkansas on Saturday. "I think I can get my forty faster and my vertical higher and my pro-agility faster. I've been working to do all that and I've been doing everything coach (Brad) Bolding has told me plus more. I think I can be in the 140 range."
In addition to Arkansas, Alexander is seeing interest from Alabama, Georgia Tech, Minnesota, Michigan and LSU. He recently visited the Tigers and wants to learn more about campus life when he visits the Hogs.
"I want to learn how it is to live on campus," Alexander said. "Being a Hog living on campus because when I went down to LSU for their junior day they preached about academics and they treat you like a family but they really didn't show how it is being a Tiger living on campus. That's one thing I hope I can figure out when I go to Arkansas."
Joining Alexander on his visit will be his teammate and Arkansas running back commitment Juan Day. He said tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. likes his speed.
"He said I was fast and then he said they liked that I could jump," said Alexander, who wants to major in mechanical engineering. "They looked at my highlight tape and they said they like the effort I give on the field. He was like it would be good for me and Juan to play together in college and he would like for us to play together in college."
After Arkansas, Alexander plans to visit Georgia Tech Junior Day on March 9 and Ole Miss for their spring game on April 13. He recalls as a freshman watching Charging Wildcats graduating running back Altee Tenpenny participating in a combine.
"I was like 'Man, he just did that in front a whole bunch of people and won a national combine and just blew up', " Alexander said. "I remember me saying I'm going to be the next one to do it."
Alexander said Lunney plans to visit his school during the spring evaluation period that runs April 15 to May 31.
"He said he would like to see me during the spring," Alexander said. "I guess he'll come down during spring practice and watch us practice. He said he would like to see me in the spring and a couple of camps at Arkansas."