THE RECRUITING GUY

El Dorado defensive lineman shows his moves

El Dorado's Bijhon Jackson stops Camden Fairview's DJ Franklin in the backfield in Camden.

El Dorado defensive lineman Bijhon Jackson showed off his running skills after recording his first career interception last Friday against Little Rock Central.

“He was engaged on his pass rush and he jumped up and batted it,” El Dorado Coach Scott Reed said. “It went up in the air, and he found it and caught it somehow.”

Jackson, 6-2, 320 pounds, said the ball fell in his hands.

“On film it looks like I jumped real high,” said Jackson, who is committed to Arkansas.

The return was quite eventful.

“I took off running to the outside and I pushed a guy back for about 5 yards,” Jackson said. “Stepped on one of my own blockers and stepped on another guy, and had about five guys wrapped up around my legs.”

Jackson has 14 unassisted tackles, 8 assisted tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 quarterback knockdown, 1 forced fumble and has recovered 1 fumble through 3 games, but the interception was a completely new experience.

“I had the ball for about two seconds before I actually took off running,” said Jackson, who will play in the U.S.Army All-American game Jan. 4 in San Antonio. “I had to process what was happening.”

Reed said he believes if Jackson had taken a more direct angle on the return that many of defenders would have headed in different directions.

“If he was able to just go vertical, I think all of them would’ve just got out of the way,” Reed said.

Jackson said several Tigers commented on his return after struggling to tackle him.

“They were just like, ‘Man, you’re big, hard to bring down,’ ” Jackson said.

Jackson said the thought of returning the interception for a touchdown ran through his mind.

“We were pretty close to the end zone at the time, so, yeah, that’s what I was thinking,” he said.

INTRODUCING MOM

Jovan Pruitt’s mother will see the University of Arkansas for the first time when she accompanies the offensive lineman to Fayetteville on Saturday for the Razorbacks’ game against Texas A&M at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

Pruitt, 6-6, 295 pounds, 5.1seconds in the 40-yard dash, plays at Dallas Bishop Dunne and orally committed to the Razorbacks on July 19. He chose Arkansas over scholarship offers from24 other schools, including Texas, Oklahoma, Baylor, Ole Miss, Texas Tech and Arizona State. It was his third visit to Arkansas.

“I told her everything is great and the Arkansas atmosphere is fantastic,” Pruitt said. “The coaches are really great, and the academics are great.”

Pruitt has graded out at 86 percent through four games. He has 10 pancake blocks and has allowed no sacks.

Pruitt said his level of play has improved since his junior season. He said he has a better focus this season and is paying closer attention to his assignments.

“My awareness, I feel like it’s lot better than what it use to be,” he said.

OFFICIALLY SPEAKING

Arkansas will host approximately 60 prospects for the Texas A&M game Saturday, but tight end Ravian Pierce of Plantation, Fla., will be the only one on an official visit.

Pierce, 6-5, 230 pounds, 4.53 seconds in the 40-yard dash, is expected to arrive in the early afternoon and is expected to make an oral commitment if his visit goes well.

Other top prospects making unofficial visits include defensive end Solomon Thomas of Coppell, Texas; running back Kevin Shorter of Newton, Texas; safety Steven Parker of Jenks, Okla.; junior running back Chris Warren III of Rockwall, Texas; and junior offensive lineman Rob Dowdy of Westerville (Ohio) South High School.

E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports, Pages 20 on 09/27/2013