THE RECRUITING GUY

Miami commitment eyes UA

Offensive lineman Denver Kirkland signed with Arkansas over Florida State and Miami. He said Arkansas linebackers coach Randy Shannon was key in his recruitment.

— When Arkansas signed highly recruited running back Alex Collins and offensive lineman Denver Kirkland out of south Florida, Miami commitment and highly regarded junior offensive lineman Trevor Darling said he took notice.

“Sure did,” Darling said. “For them to come into Miami and get two guys really caught my attention. It made me think I have a chance to be recruited and I was happy about that.”

Darling, 6-5, 310, 5.3 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Miami Central High School pledged to the Hurricanes last April but wants to officially visit the Hogs.

“That’s all I have now, Arkansas and Louisville,” said Darling about schools he wishes to visit. “I’m not sure about the other schools yet, but I’ll try and see what’s out there.”

Darling said he bench presses 315 pounds and squats 10 reps of 315 during workouts. Offensive line coach Sam Pittman has made a good impression in a short period of time.

“I’ve talked to him a few times,” Darling said. “I’m interested in Arkansas. He said it’s a good program and I would be good in it. He’s a pretty good guy. I like him as a person. He treats me like family and I like that.”

So where does Darling stand with Miami?

“I’m verbally committed to Miami but I’m keeping my options open,” Darling said. “I’m still being recruited.”

NLR TANDEM

North Little Rock cornerback Kavin Alexander is expected to visit Arkansas on Saturday with his teammate and running back Juan Day, who’s committed to the Razorbacks.

Alexander, 5-11, 185, 4.32 seconds in the 40-yard dash, is drawing interest from Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia Tech, Minnesota, Michigan and LSU, where he visited about two weeks ago.

“Juan and I have been playing ball together since the sixth grade,” Alexander said. “I’ve been playing against Juan since I was in Little League at 4 and 5. Playing against the Steelers when I was with the Mustangs and then middle school we started playing together and we stuck together through high school. It would be real fun to play with him in college.”

Alexander made national news about a year ago finishing first at the Nike Football SPARQ Combine in Dallas with a SPARQ rating of 129.24 that included a time of 4.54 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 4.00 pro-shuttle, a 41.6-inch vertical and 39-foot power ball throw.

Earlier in the week,he showed lineman-type strength by recording a 300-pound bench press and 475 squat during testing at the school.

“I always work hard in the weight room,” Alexander said, following the advice of North Little Rock Coach Brad Bolding.

Alexander is a cousin to Darren McFadden, Arkansas’ all-time leading rusher who plays for the Oakland Raiders.

SAM THE MAN

The presence of Allen, Texas, running back Jonathan Williams on the Hogs roster is paving the way for a former teammate of Williams, linebacker Christian Sam, to visit Fayetteville.

“I hope to be down there if everything goes as plan,” Sam said.

Sam, 6-3, 208, 4.58 seconds in the 40-yard dash, reports eight scholarship offers, including Oklahoma, Boise State, Texas Tech and SMU but hopes to add one from the Arkansas.

“Jonathan and I are real close,” Sam said. “I kind of grew up with him. He told me how he told the coaches about me.”

Running backs coach Joel Thomas has been in contact with Sam.

“Coach Thomas started talking to me a little bit and he told me they really like me.”

Receiving a scholarship offer from Arkansas and the opportunity to possibly play with Williams in college would mean a lot to Sam.

“Arkansas is in the SEC and they’ve always been a good program,” Sam said. “I’ve always kept up with Arkansas. I really like Arkansas a lot.”

ARKANSAS INFLUENCE

Jonesboro defensive lineman Chuks Ota said he appreciates how Arkansas tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. has been upfront with him during the recruiting process.

“Coach Lunney told me from the beginning they like my film a whole lot,” said Ota, who is expected to visit Arkansas on Saturday. “He told me from the get-go I needed to get faster and a little more agile.”

Ota, 6-2, 290, 5.06 in the 40-yard dash, reports bench pressing about 415 pounds and squatting 465 and is receiving interest from Arkansas, Michigan, Duke, Memphis, Auburn and Harvard. He made a 28 on the ACT and is the junior class president.

It took awhile for him to warm up to the Hogs after moving from Indiana to Arkansas in 2008 but attending some games this past season made him a fan. A scholarship offer from Arkansas would be big for Ota.

“I’m a pretty big Razorback fan now,” Ota said. “That would just be an incredible experience. Just to have the option of going there would be awesome.”

E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports, Pages 21 on 03/01/2013