The Recruiting Guy

Missouri power forward includes UA in finalists

Malik Monk of Bentonville drives against Tyler Cook of St. Louis Chaminade during the game in Bentonville's Tiger Arena on Saturday Nov. 29, 2014.

Highly regarded power forward Tyler Cook of St. Louis Chaminade College Prep said Arkansas is one of his final choices and will get a chance to host the junior for a visit.

Cook, 6-9, 235 pounds, has more than 25 scholarship offers but has narrowed the list to Arkansas, Florida, Missouri, Iowa State, Iowa and Virginia.

His relationship with Coach Mike Anderson and associate head coach Melvin Watkins and Arkansas' style of play has the Razorbacks in the hunt.

"I just feel like they're really genuine in what they say to me and my parents," Cook said. "I just feel like the way they play best suits me. I'm just excited to go there for a visit and see what they're all about."

Cook, who averaged 15 points and 8.3 rebounds last season, is rated a four-star prospect and the No. 15 power forward in the nation by ESPN.

Anderson's way of communicating has made Cook a believer in the head coach.

"Eye contact is something I take very seriously and is something I take into consideration when I'm having a conversation with a person," Cook said. "He never loses that."

Cook has visited Missouri, Iowa and Iowa State but has yet to visit his other finalists.

"We're looking to take an unofficial first," said Cook of Arkansas. "I'm pretty confident they'll be one of the schools that gets an official."

He said he believes Anderson can help him become a better player.

"Using a guy like Bobby Portis as an example really made me feel confident that he would help me develop," Cook said.

Cook's parents, Trent and Stephanie, want him to look beyond sports when making his college decision.

" We recognize that at some point and time the basketball is going to stop bouncing," Trent Cook said. "We want Tyler to have a full and a productive life."

Cook doesn't have a list of wants in a school but will go by a gut feeling.

"I think I'll know just because of the feeling I'll get once I get on campus from the coaches and like the vibe around the campus," Cook said.

TIGHT END TO VISIT

One of the top sophomore prospects in Texas, tight end Kedrick James of Waco (Texas) La Vega, has several ties to Arkansas and is expected to visit.

His grandfather, Michael Carter, taught at Arkansas before moving on to Missouri and his grandmother, Dr. Charlene Johnson-Carter, is an associate professor of middle level education at Arkansas.

"I really like the program," James said. "That's one of the other reasons why I want to go there, because with family in Fayetteville I would have some family at my games."

He and his mother, Vene Baggett, arrived in Fayetteville on Thursday to watch his uncle, Damani Carter, graduate from Fayetteville High School.

James, 6-7, 243, 4.81 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has scholarship offers from 10 schools, including Arkansas, Texas A&M, Michigan, Baylor, Illinois and Miami.

Arkansas defensive backs coach Clay Jennings, who graduated from La Vega, is his lead recruiter.

"He likes how physical I am on the field and he thinks I would be a perfect fit for either offense or defense," James said.

Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema has had four tight ends drafted during his head coaching career and another was signed as a free agent. Those numbers impress James.

" I would love to go to the league," James said. "I mean, I care which college I go to, but if that college can get me to the next level like I've wanted to do since I was like 5 years old, I'll love that college even more."

James said he enjoys the versatility of playing tight end.

"You can use one as an extra lineman or use one as an extra receiver," James said. "In my case, I can do either one. What I like the most about it is that you have times where you can show how strong you are and how fast and how agile you can be."

E-mail Richard Davenport at

rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports on 05/15/2015