BEAVERTON, Ore. — Arkansas looks to have a chance to get a visit from one of the fastest athletes in the nation.
Athlete Donte Jackson, 5-11, 170 of New Orleans Riverdale has more than 20 scholarship offers. including Arkansas, LSU, Georgia, Oregon, Florida State and Oklahoma State. Video highlights CLICK HERE
He said the Hogs are still in the running for a visit. He plans to take official visits to Oregon, LSU and Georgia. He said Arkansas has a shot at one of his other two visits.
"It’s pretty high,” Jackson said of his interest in the Hogs. “They want me to come up and play receiver. It’s not easy to pass up a good spot at receiver playing in the SEC. It’s just something I’m looking into right now.”
His relationship with receiver coach Michael Smith is strong.
“It’s real good, he’s real cool,” Jackson said. “He’s from Louisiana so we click like that. We can just talk about anything and he’s the receiver coach, so I can see myself playing for him.”
His other two official visits are up for grabs.
“I’m not sure, I’m going to wait,” Jackson said. “I have those three and seven other schools I’m interested in. I have to choose from them and Arkansas is one of those schools that I’ll take my last two (official) . If not, I’m still going to try and get to an unofficial at Arkansas if they don’t make the cut. Because it’s right there.”
A trip to Fayetteville later this month is a possibility.
“I talked to coach Smit and he’s trying to get me up for camp on the 24th,” he said. “We’re going to see how we can link that up. “
Jackson has recorded times of 10.36 seconds in the 100 meters and 21.4 in the 200. He wants to run track in college. Arkansas’ 40 plus national championships in track and field helps the Hogs.
“It helps a lot,” Jackson said. “I’m really interested in playing football and running track in college so that would be something. A good track program can pull me in for football.”
During the prelims of SPARQ national championship, recorded 4.47 seconds in the 40 yard dash.
“I’m not a hundred percent, but I ran a 4.4," he said. "I have an ankle injury and I have my knee wrapped."