ARLINGTON, Texas -- Junior defensive lineman Kendell Jones Jr. has physical size and a muscular frame that's usually not seen in the high school or even college football ranks.
He stands 6-5 and weighs 364 pounds and is one of the most coveted prospects in the nation with approximately 50 scholarship offers, including one from Arkansas.
Jones, of Killeen (Texas) Shoemaker, along with about 500 other athletes, took part in Nike Football's The Opening Regional held at Arlington (Texas) Lamar High School on Sunday.
"Arkansas, they're in the SEC," Jones said. "I really don't know too much about Arkansas, but I'm going to learn."
Jones was named the defensive line MVP of the camp and received an invitation to The Opening, an event that features the top 162 prospects in the nation at Nike's headquarters in Beaverton, Ore., in early July.
A summer visit is the most likely prospect for Jones and his father, should they make their way to Arkansas.
"I want to see if me and my dad will have time to go up there and try and visit them," Jones said. "I think it would be fun."
Jones' numbers in the weight room would rival most college linemen. He bench presses 420 pounds, squats 600, power cleans 335 and has a 610-pound dead lift.
National recruiting analyst Tom Lemming of CBS Sports Network visited Jones and his coach in January, and he compared the massive lineman to a former New England Patriot also know for his size.
"I spent three hours with him and his coach watching film, and I told them he reminds me of Vince Wilfork," said Lemmings, who rates Jones as a 4-star plus recruit. "He's a member of my top 100 and is one of the premier defensive tackles. He's super strong and is a man among boys when he plays. He's close to being a 5-star prospect."
Jones played some at defensive end last season, and he said he believes he's capable of playing outside.
"Even if I don't slim down, I can still do it because I'm quick off my feet," Jones said. "I don't plan on slowing down."
Jones has visited Texas several times and is reportedly very fond of the Longhorns, but maintains he's open to all schools. He did notice Arkansas' dominating, 31-7 victory over Texas in the Texas Bowl on Dec. 29.
"Texas did get slaughtered, but it's all right. They'll step up," Jones said.
Jones is considering majoring in psychology.
"It would be cool to have that doctor title on my name," Jones said.
Big numbers
Little Rock Christian junior running back Damarea Crockett scored the second-best SPARQ rating in the nation with a 124.62 during Saturday's Dallas Nike Combine at AT&T Stadium.
SPARQ is an acronym for Speed, Power, Agility, Reaction and Quickness.
On Sunday, he posted the nation's best SPARQ rating of 128.22 at Nike Football's The Opening Regional at Arlington Lamar High School by running 4.69 seconds in the 40-yard dash along with a 4.00 time in the pro-shuttle, a 38.7-foot vertical leap and throwing the power ball 39 feet.
Kansas lineman
Arkansas is trying to get Kansas State defensive end commitment Xavier Kelly of Wichita (Kan.) East to Fayetteville for a visit, and it appears that could happen.
He scored an impressive 98.73 SPARQ rating Sunday at the Nike Football event and also performed well during 1-on-1 drills.
He measured 6-5 and weighed 230 pounds and was timed at 4.55 seconds in the 40-yard dash and had a 30.9-foot vertical jump, 4.47 time in the pro-shuttle and threw the power ball 36 feet.
Kelly, who also has scholarship offers from Arkansas, Michigan, Nebraska and others, said he's been communicating with several Razorbacks coaches about visiting.
"I make decisions based off family decisions, so I'm not for sure yet '' Kelly said. "I maybe looking to go this spring."
Kelly scored 22 points and had 10 rebounds as Wichita East won the Class 6A state championship with a 58-43 victory over Lawrence 58-43 on Saturday.
He said he cherished the opportunity to compete against many of the nation's top prospects at The Opening Regional.
"It's a blessing," said Kelly, who has a 3.3 grade-point average. "As a little kid, you dream about coming to things like this."
While he wasn't invited to The Opening after Sunday's event, an invite could come later.
"That would make my mom and whole family proud," Kelly said.
E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 03/17/2015