THE RECRUITING GUY

Portis checks laundry off his list

Little Rock Hall graduate Bobby Portis is one of the 10 McDonald's High School All-Americans that signed to play in the SEC next season.

Little Rock Hall forward Bobby Portis, an Arkansas signee, is still getting used to the idea of reporting to Fayetteville on May 27 and starting summer classes the next day.

“I was ready to go to Arkansas and get up there and get acclimated to the school,” Portis said. “Now that I have two weeks left, it kind of hit me that I’ve grown up to be a young man and now I have to stand on my own.”

Portis, 6-9 1/2, 231 pounds, is one of the more highly-rated in-state prospects to sign with the Hogs in numerous years and is a consensus top 20 recruit in the 2013 class, including a No. 16 ranking by ESPN.

Portis, like most freshmen, will have adjustments to make when starting college life and one domestic chore is high on his list.

“Washing my own clothes,” Portis said. “My mom has always washed my clothes.”

Portis’ mother, Latina Edwards, has been having him wash his clothes over the past two to three months.

“Last week I washed like four loads,” Portis said. “I think the hardest part of washing clothes is folding them up. I’ll wash them and then I’ll dry them and then I’ll take them out of the dryer and I’m like ‘Dang, I have tofold these clothes up.’ It’s time consuming.”

An even bigger adjustment, Portis said, will be getting used to being on his own.

“I’ve never been away from them other than like a week or so,” Portis said. “The biggest change to me will be being away from my family and friends for so long.”

Portis has competed in numerous prestigious events including the McDonald’s All-American game and the recent the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Ore., that paired the top youth players in the United States against the top international players.

Portis has been working out with Marcus McCarroll, an Arkansas Wings assistant and skills coach, after receiving a workout plan from Arkansas strength and conditioning coach David Deets.

“Me and Coach Marcus have been doing it every day ever since I came back from Portland,” Portis said. “We’ve been hitting it pretty hardand the weights pretty hard. I think it’s only going to pay off in the long run.”

Portis said he’s increased strength while increasing his weight from 223 to 231 pounds.

“I know it’s changing my game,” Portis said. “I’m jumping higher. I had internal confidence before but now my confidence has really increased. I see my arms getting am little bigger.” IT’S A COMBINE

Arkansas’ most respected football combine for high school athletes will be held at North Little Rock High School on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The 16th annual Arkansas Football Combine will feature some of the state’s better prospects, including Lonoke receiver Blake Mack, quarterback Garrett Carson of Hot Springs Lakeside, athlete Jalen Curtis of Russellville, linebacker Kevante Lowery of Smackover and tight end Josiah Wymer of Springdale.

“It’s nice to be able to have some history behind you, as far as knowing what you’re doing.” event director B.J. Maack said. “I think it’s important to recognize there’s a lot of combines out there. We feel like we have the one that has a good reputation among the coaches.”

Maack relies on input of the high school coaches in the state in picking athletes to participate. The combine has seen numerous athletes go from unknown to known with good performances.

“That right there makes it all worthwhile.” Maack said.

Dr. Kenneth Martin from Martin Knee and Sports Medicine Center is back as the title sponsor, allowing for those invited to compete free of charge.

“The athletes that were nominated by their coaches do not have to pay.” Maack said.

The combine is also open to athletes in grades 8-11 and will cost $50.00.

“If there’s a kid in grade 8, 9, 10 that wants to come, they’ll be tested alongside,” Maack said. “We’re going to run them in a group. We still have a few spots left for that. We’re going to take them through Wednesday.”

Check-in for all athletes is at 7:30 a.m. For more information email Maack at bjmaack@arsportsperformance.com

E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports, Pages 21 on 05/14/2013