The Recruiting Guy

Pine Bluff's Tate one the Natural State's best in 2016

Defensive end John Tate practices Thursday afternoon at Pine Bluff high School.

— The 2015 in-state class is considered one of the best in Arkansas in years, but it looks like the 2016 class will even have more talent.

Pine Bluff features four talented juniors led by highly regarded tight end- defensive end John Tate, who has scholarship offers from Arkansas State, Louisville and Ole Miss.

The Zebras also have safety David Beasley, quarterback-safety LaDarius Skelton and running back Romar Reades.

Sept. 1 was the first day juniors could be contacted by college coaches by Twitter, Facebook to e-mail. Tate received direct messages from Arkansas, Ole Miss and Auburn.

“He messaged me he asked me how I was doing and if I was ready for the game today,” said Tate of Hogs tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. “He wanted me to know I can come to any home games that I want to.”

He had 2 tackles and a tackle for loss in a 26-15 loss to Fort Smith Northside Friday night at Mayo-Thompson Stadium. He's a strong candidate to received an offer from the Razorbacks.

“I thought Tate had a great game defensively,” Pine Bluff Coach Bobby Bolding said. “His technique improved drastically. We have to utilize him more offensively.”

Tate, 6-4, 247 pounds recorded 27 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 8 tackles for loss and 12 quarterback hurries and was named to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Super Sophomore team. Video highlights CLICK HERE

“My reads are better,” said Tate of his improvement from last year. “I’m bigger so I can fight the blocks better. Last season, I was inexperienced. I know what’s coming, I’m looking to have a great year”

Tate, who has no favorites, will visit the Hogs and is looking to visit others during the season.

“I may visit Auburn and Ole Miss and Oklahoma State,” Tate said.

He’s capable of playing offense or defense on the next level.

“Coach Lunney said he didn’t know where he’ll play me,” said Tate, who sees himself on defense. “But many people think of me as a D-end I guess. I can play both.”

His father stood 6-foot 7 inches while playing forward at Arkansas State. He’s third in school history in points scored with 1,776, fifth in field goal percentage at .601, fourth in blocked shots with 105, and eighth in rebounds with 821.

“People say I’m going to get taller, but I really don’t know how tall I’m going to get,” Tate said. “Time will tell with that.”