The Recruiting Guy

Texas LB debates for a place in SEC

Jeffrey McCulloch

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Highly recruited junior linebacker Jeffrey McCulloch was one of 13 prospects who received invitations to The Opening finals after the Nike Football The Opening Regional held at Lamar High School in Arlington Texas, on March 15.

He recorded a 4.77-second electronic time in the 40-yard dash, 4.20-second pro-shuttle, 38.5-foot power ball toss and 34.6-inch vertical leap for a 111.15 SPARQ rating. The Opening finals are held at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Ore. in early July.

McCulloch, 6-2 1/2, 235 pounds of Houston Aldine Davis has more than 30 scholarship offers from schools like Arkansas, Alabama, Texas, Texas A&M, Michigan, UCLA and Oklahoma.

His recruiting was put on hold during basketball season. But after Aldine Davis was knocked out in the third round of the state playoffs, McCulloch is ready to start up the process again. Arkansas will be one of the schools he talks to.

"They're definitely on my list to start talking to again," McCulloch said of the Hogs.

He and Arkansas defensive backs coach Clay Jennings have been communicating.

"He's a great guy," McCulloch said. "He's just like one of the guys. It feels like he's been there my whole life, talking to me."

The Razorbacks and other SEC schools could receive visits from McCulloch.

"At least before the season starts, I would like to see all of the SEC schools and my officials will probably be ... the west coast and then up north," McCulloch said.

McCulloch said he is serious about the classroom and his 3.89 grade-point average reflects that. He's expected to major in marketing or international business.

"Great academic program that's the first thing," McCulloch said of his college wish list. "Then I'll need a good football program that actually has a chance to win a national championship and prepare me for the NFL."

He eventually plans to go to law school, an interest that started early.

"We were doing mock trails when I was younger, and I would always be the lead prosecutor," McCulloch said. "I was like, 'Man, this is fun. I can't leave this alone.' "

McCulloch has become a good debater over the years.

"My mom hates it, but that's just what I do," McCulloch said. "I debate everybody. It's natural."

Safety look

Arkansas is in line to get a visit from junior safety Brandon Jones, one of the premier safety prospects in the nation, in the near future.

Jones, 6-0, 195, 4.3, of Nacogdoches, Texas, is closing in on 40 scholarship offers from schools like Arkansas, Texas, Texas A&M, Oregon, Oklahoma, Baylor and others. He's been talking with several Razorbacks coaches.

"I plan on visiting around track season and schedule a visit up there pretty soon, [maybe] one of the weekends in March or April," Jones said.

His lead recruiter at Arkansas, defensive backs coach Clay Jennings, visited his school during the contact period in December and ended in late January.

"Him being from east Texas helps build that relationship," Jones said. "Even though I'm not a player there, he'll point out my flaws. Usually some coaches will tell you all the good stuff and not the bad stuff. He'll point out the bad stuff and also tell me the good stuff, which helps me overall in the long run."

He also said he appreciates Jennings' truthfulness.

"It shows me how real of a person he is and how willing he is to build a really strong relationship," Jones said.

Jones has been a leader by his actions, not words, but Jennings has urged him to be more vocal.

"I'm more of a show type of guy than verbal," Jones said. "So he explained that to me how much better it would be if I was a verbal speaker. I took that in action and it's been working a lot, too."

Being wanted by many of the national football powerhouses is flattering, he said.

"It's an amazing process, and I'm trying to enjoy it while I can until my senior year and I have to make some final decisions," Jones said.

Jones has a 3.0 grade point average and a strong desire to go into journalism.

"I found it real easy to write about stuff and research and talk about people," he said. "Get into broadcasting and coaching as well and just stay as close to football as I can."

He said he also plans to take visits to Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Baylor, TCU and others this spring.

"I've been down to Alabama last year, and I'll probably try and get down there again," Jones said. "I'll see Texas and Texas A&M as well.

Jones recorded a time of 10.6 seconds in the 100 meters last year and also participated in the 400 and 800 relays.

He missed most of his junior football season after suffering a shoulder injury in the early part of the year.

"It can happen to anybody and you just have to take that hand-in-hand and realize when it happens, you have to jump back and prove yourself the following year," Jones said.

E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports on 03/22/2015