Athlete La'Michael Pettway, who committed to Arkansas on Sunday, can play multiple positions and has a frame that can add weight in the future.
Pettway, who won't turn 17 until March, stands 6-3 and carries 200 pounds with ease. Nashville Coach Billy Dawson said he is excited about Pettway's future.
"When he gets on their nutritional and strength program, he's going to be two-and-a-quarter or 230 before it's all over," Dawson said. "I think he has a lot of upside. You're talking about a young kid, too, and by the time that dude is 20 years old, what's he going to look like? I don't know."
Pettway has played quarterback, receiver and safety for the Scrappers, but is focusing on catching the ball and tackling this season.
He has 29 receptions for 497 yards and 12 touchdowns while having 33 tackles, a tackle for a loss, 6 interceptions and 5 pass breakups at safety. He returned one interception 98 yards for a score.
The Hogs could look at Pettway as a receiver, safety or possibly as an outside linebacker. Dawson said Pettway is a big, strong, physical receiver who knows how to find the soft spots in zone coverage
"I think they're getting a guy that has a little bit of a knack for route running," Dawson said. "I think they're getting a guy that's going to work extremely hard."
Pettway has shined for Nashville at safety, too.
"He's played really good for us at safety and made a lot of plays," Dawson said. "He's athletic and long, which helps him in that spot as well."
Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema has put a premium on personal character among his players and desires prospects who fit his slogan of "uncommon men."
"He's a good character kid," Dawson said. "He doesn't say a whole lot. He's going to go to class. He's going to take care of those little things, I think -- at least he has to this point, so I wouldn't expect anything different from him. I think one of his greatest qualities is he's going to do whatever he has to do."
Ty takes look
Arkansas quarterback commitment Ty Storey of Charleston was able to get a good peek at what he'll experience when he enrolls at Arkansas in January after making an official visit over the weekend.
He and his parents were able to look at the the dorms and his future living arrangements.
"My mom had so many questions," Storey said. "I'm sure she bugged them to death about all of the housing. She was wanting to know about the beds and how everything worked, all the little stuff moms are worried about. I think she pretty much got everything she needed."
Storey, 6-3, 210 pounds, 4.84 seconds in the 40-yard dash, also got a more detailed look at the Sam M. Walton College of Business and learned the program is ranked No. 1 in the nation in job placement after graduation.
"Most everyone are getting jobs coming straight out the business college," Storey said.
Fellow commitment Austin Cantrell, a tight end from Roland, Okla., also visited. The two visited Coach Bret Bielema's home Saturday afternoon.
"Coach B had us out to his house, which is amazing. They had an awesome set up," Storey said. "Showed us around the house, had us out there to eat. Seemed like we ate all weekend."
Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney and tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. were also at Bielema's house.
"It's just a family atmosphere with all of the coaches around," Storey said. "Coach Lunney was at the house, too. He brought his two kids and his wife. Coach Chaney brought his wife. It's just good to know we're all in this together."
Air Tretola
Arkansas offensive lineman Sebastian Tretola's touchdown pass against Alabama-Birmingham on Saturday was noticed by recruits.
Two of Arkansas' major targets, offensive lineman Jalin Barnett of Lawton, Okla. and running back Patrick Carr of The Woodslands, Texas, voiced their approval.
"Kind of nice seeing a big man getting to do things like that," Barnett said.
Barnett, 6-4, 305, is rated the No. 1 offensive guard and the nation's No. 43 overall prospect by ESPN. He officially visited the Hogs for the Northern Illinois game Sept. 20.
Carr, 5-9, 190, 4.4, rushed 230 times for 1,635 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior and has 129 carries for 922 yards and 13 touchdowns in 8 games this season. He's planning to officially visit the Hogs.
"That was crazy," Carr said of of Tretola's pass . "A big guy like that throwing the ball like that. I like it."
E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 10/28/2014