Missouri LB impresses at Hogs' camp

Linebacker Chase Johnston impressed with his speed and his size at Arkansas' Elite Camp.

— Linebacker Chase Johnston turned heads with his size and speed at Arkansas’ Elite Camp on Thursday.

Johnston, 6-3, 226 pounds of Carl Junction, Mo. was clocked at 4.54 seconds in the 40 yard dash. He was impressed with the Razorback coaches.Video highlights CLICK HERE

photo

LB Chase Johnston recorded 11.28 seconds in the 100 meters and finished sixth in the state in the shot put with a throw close to 51 feet this spring.

“I really enjoyed the coaches,” said Johnston, who also a recorded a 4.57 time at the camp. “The coaches were a lot of fun I liked the facilities. I liked the drills they put me through. Just all around I loved it.”

Coach Bret Bielema liked what he saw of Johnston and talked to him after the camp.

“Coach Bielema said they’re definitely going to keep in touch,” Johnston said. “They liked how I performed today. He said I ran a good time in the 40 and I looked good in 1-on-1’s and 7-on-7. He said he’ll keep in touch and maybe give me a phone call in the near future.”

He recorded a time of 11.28 seconds in the 100 meters and 23.1 in the 200 this spring and finished sixth in the shot put in the state meet with a throw of 50 feet-103/4 inches.

He had 43 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and a sack as a sophomore and recorded 93 tackles, 9 sacks and 3 forced fumbles tackles as a junior.

Johnston attend Missouri's camp earlier in the week and will attend the Kansas State camp on Saturday. He picked up some tips from linebackers coach Randy Shannon.

“He’s a great coach,” said Johnston, who has an offer from Southeast Missouri State. “He doesn’t comment much, but when he does it means a lot. He tells you what you did wrong and makes you better.”

Former Razorback basketball center Steven Hill is Johnston’s cousin.

“He said he loved his four years here,” Johnston said. “He just loves Arkansas. He told me to really consider going there.”

A scholarship offer from the Hogs would be well received.

“It would mean a lot,”he said. “It’s really close to home. It’s like an hour and half drive. It would be nice to get an offer from them and I would definitely consider it.”