BEAVERTON, Ore. — Arkansas’ won’t take no attitude has impressed recruiting highly sought receiver and return specialist Ryan Newsome.
Newsome, 5-9, 170, 4.35 seconds in the 40 yard dash, of Aledo, Texas had narrowed his list of schools to Oregon, UCLA, Oklahoma,Texas and Notre Dame several weeks ago. He said running backs coach Joel Thomas and receivers coach Michael Smith haven’t stopped recruiting him. Video highlights CLICK HERE
“Arkansas, they’re relentless as far as recruiting,” said Newsome, who’s participating in The Opening at Nike Headquarters this week. “They have Will (Gragg) and K.J. (Hill), the Arkansas boys. It’s a unique situation, I kind of told them I was looking to go in a different direction and they told me like “You committed? and I was like ‘no’ and they said “We’re going to keep coming after you then”.
“They’re still sending me mail and I’m still hearing from Coach Joel and Coach Mike Smith. So they’re still coming.”
He admits the the strong efforts of Thomas and Smith is helping the Hogs.
“They’re doing a little bit,” Newsome said with a big grin “I know Will likes Arkansas and K.J. but I don’t know. I guess we’ll see what happens down the line. Nothing is really set in stone until signing day. If I commit somewhere, that’s set in stone as far as other visits and things like that.”
He rushed 83 times for 826 yards, 8 touchdowns along with 21 receptions for 532 yards, a 25.33 yards per catch and 10 touchdowns last year. ESPN rates him the No. 18 receiver prospect and the No. 167 overall recruit in the nation.
His mother, Cheryl was born in Little Rock while his aunt, Lana Nayles lives in the city. The Fighting Irish appears to be the fifth school on his list.
“I’m still evaluating Notre Dame,” he said. “I haven’t visited I don’t them to get too comfortable thinking they got….I still want them to come after me. I’m still evaluating those guys, but the rest of the four are coming after me hard.”
Newsome doesn’t have a set date for his college decision.
“I’m devout Christian,” Newsome said. “I truly believe when it’s the right time that’s when I’ll do it. A lot of people don’t like to hear that. They want a place, a time and date. That’s just how I operate. I just feel like if God is directing me in that direction, then that’s where I’ll be.”