ARLINGTON, Texas — Little Rock Christian junior running back Damarea Crockett opened eyes with two outstanding performances over the weekend at the Dallas Nike Combine and Nike Football The Opening Regional in Arlington, Texas.
Crockett scored the second-best SPARQ rating in the nation with a 124.62 during Saturday's combine at AT&T Stadium and in less than 24 hours upped his score to 128.22 and became the nation’s leader.
He put himself in good position to receive an invite to The Opening in Oregon in early July.
Saturday evening he was debating with his trainer and former Razorback receiver J.J. Meadors whether to take part in the SPARQ combine part of Sunday’s camp. He then spoke to North Little Rock linebacker Tyler Phillips, who had the highest SPARQ rating going into The Opening last summer.
“We were just talking and he told me I should definitely go for it and just challenge myself and go for it,” Crockett said.
On Saturday, Crockett was electronically timed at 4.71 seconds in the 40-yard dash and at 4.01 seconds in the pro-shuttle while also having a vertical leap of 40.3 inches and threw the power ball 36 feet.
His decision to participate on Sunday paid off with an electronic time of 4.69 seconds in the 40-yard dash along with a 4.00 time in the pro-shuttle, a 38.7 vertical leap and throwing the power ball 39 feet.
“We we started warming up and I was getting ready to run my 40, I was thinking it’s do or die,” Crockett said. “When I ran the first 40 and got a 4.69 I automatically knew it was a going to be a good day.”
Crockett, who scholarship offers from Arizona State, Vanderbilt, Arkansas State, Memphis, Colorado State and Boise State, rushed 144 times for 1,250 yards and 15 touchdowns this past season.
More than 500 athletes competed in Sunday’s event and many of the top respects from the region were on hand.
“I knew it was going to be a challenge coming in,” Crockett said. “When I came in and saw all the guys standing in line… it wasn't intimidating. I knew I could compete with them. I felt like it was going to be a good way to challenge myself and see how I measure up with the best.”
He plans to attend several camps this summer, including one at Arkansas. His weekend performance has some news schools showing interest. The Oklahoma State running backs coach made contact on Monday and he received mail from Notre Dame and Tulsa.
Razorback tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr., offensive cooridnator Dan Enos and running backs coach Jemal Singleton took notice of his weekend.
“They just congratulated me on having a big day,” Crockett said.
He and running back Devin White, an Arkansas target, hit it off during Sunday’s camp.
“His stepbrother is actually my cousin, so we’ve known each other for a long time, but we never actually interacted,” Crockett said. “That was my first time seeing him. He gave me his number and told me to stay in touch.”
Like Phillips, Crockett will have to wait to find out if he gets an invite to The Opening.
“They said I’m more than likely to go, but they have to go all around the country and make sure that 10 people don’t score over 128,” he said. “I have to be in the top 10 to be invited.”