Har-Ber's Dobbins making strong progress

Rickey Dobbins

Springdale Har-Ber defensive lineman Rickey Dobbins has made strides since last season and has received four scholarship offers along with interest from numerous others, including Arkansas.

“The biggest thing is technique,” said Springdale Har-Ber Coach Chris Wood. “Positional technique, how to play with his hands. He's always been an explosive kid. He kind of went into fall camp last year with pretty much one move, which was a swing move."

"He could get around blocks because he was so explosive and quick and he was so big where you couldn’t drive him out.”

Dobbins, 6-3, 324 pounds has offers from Arkansas State, Tulsa, Central Arkansas and Eastern Illinois. He recorded 44 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 4 quarterback hurries and 2 forced fumbles as a junior. Video highlights CLICK HERE

“Where he's really grown is developing the understanding of playing the position,” Wood said. “Understanding of offensive schemes from the zone, what an offense is trying to do in a zone scheme to the gap counter scheme. So he's really got a good football mind.”

Arkansas, Alabama and Tulsa visited the school earlier in the week and Memphis and Louisiana Tech are visiting today. Auburn will by at the end of the week.

“A coach saw him this morning and he said it's unbelievable how quick he gets off the ball for his size,” Wood said.

Dobbins has slimmed down and gotten stronger in the offseason and has recorded a 345 pound bench press.

“He’s down to about 320,” Wood said. “I think he played last fall at 340. From a strength standpoint he’s a 600 pound squat guy. He’s the first kid I’ve actually witnessed parallel 600 pounds.”

Arkansas, Alabama, Auburn Ole Miss, Memphis and others are wanting Dobbins to attend their camps.

“Their biggest thing is they want him to come in and work with their D-line coach and go from there,” Wood said.

Wood believes Dobbins could add another inch or so to his frame.

“He’s right at 6-3,” said Wood of a recent measurement of Dobbins.