The Recruiting Guy

Arkansas' pro-style offense impresses Texas TE

Tight end Kedrick James.

Highly regarded sophomore tight end Kedrick James was able to see how Arkansas’ pro-style offense helps tight ends make the transition into the NFL during a recent visit.

He and tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. discussed how his position is used in the Hog offense on My 15.

“He showed me a play they ran in a game and then he showed me how an NFL team runs the same exact play,” James said.

James, 6-7, 243 pounds, 4.81 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Waco (Texas) La Vega, has scholarship offers from 11 schools, including Arkansas, Texas, Texas A&M, Michigan, Baylor, Illinois and Miami. Video highlights CLICK HERE

Arkansas’ playbook is similar to what James is use to at his school.

“Some plays at my school, we run the same thing,” James said. “We just call them different things. I know some of the same blocking schemes they’re doing here, I have in high school. If I choose to come I would probably have a chance to play early.”

His grandmother, Dr. Charlene Johnson-Carter, is an associate professor of middle-level education at Arkansas. Ragean Hill, the director of academics for football, impressed James and his mother.

“She talked about the plan she had for the athletes and what I could do to bring GPA up for my last two years of high school,” James said. “That was most important to me. Grades come first before you can do anything. Without grades you can’t play.”

James, who plans to make a return trip to Fayetteville on June 19, said the equipment room was one of the highlights of the visit.

“The people they have in there will like customize everything for the way it fits you,” James said. “If you’re not comfortable, they give you something else.”

The facilities and overall environment made him feel comfortable.

“I could be use to being around here more often,” James said.