The Recruiting Guy

Pulaski Robinson's young talent is strong

Special to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/CHRIS BRASHERS - 10/03/2014 - Pulaski Academy RB Myles Fells explodes for a big gain during action at Rector Field in Little Rock, October 3, 2014

Pulaski Robinson has high hopes this season with Arkansas commitment T.J. Hammonds leading the way.

The Senators also have three other college prospects in junior running back Myles Fells and offensive lineman Sanderson Hines along with sophomore receiver Nathan Page.

Fells, who transferred from Pulaski Academy, is drawing interest from Arkansas, Arizona State, TCU, Mississippi State, California, Ole Miss, Duke, Auburn, Princeton and Vanderbilt.

“He and T.J. have been fantastic for each other because you get a kid that’s similar talent wise and you add in the fact they’re on the same page work ethic wise,” Pulaski Robinson strength and conditioning coach Brian Maupin said. “They’re allowed to push each other.”

Fells rushed 94 carries for 807 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Bruins last season. Maupin believes Fells has a chance to be special.

“He’s going to be a fantastic addition to our offense,” Maupin said. “I’ve talked to a lot of college coaches that really like his film and really interested to see him just progress.”

Fells is the son of former Henderson State running back Kenny Fells, who was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the 1986 Draft. He suffered an ACL injury during last year’s playoffs and that prevented him from participating in college camps this summer.

“I think that kind of hurt him in the recruiting world, but it’s nothing I don’t think a strong junior season and a good camp season this winter and spring won’t change,” said Maupin, who also coaches linebackers. “He’s one I look to blow up, maybe not to the extent of T.J., but in similar fashion.”

He has a 3.8 grade point average and has scored a 22 on the ACT.

“He’s a fantastic young man and a hard worker and a great football player,” Maupin said. “You couple all that together that’s what colleges are looking for and definitely what we’re looking for as a high school coaches to kind of build your program around.”

Fells, 5-11, 185 pounds is working to increase his speed.

“He’s a consistent 4.5 flat kid, but we’re working to get that below because I know when you crack the 4.4’s that’s huge,” Maupin said.

Maupin is high on the talent of Page, who played for Little Rock Catholic as a freshman.

“He has the chance to be the most special of all three,” Maupin said. “Right now, he’s beyond what both of them were in their sophomore year. His potential is scary. The way he goes and gets the football and the way he attacks ball carriers on defense is rare for a kid his age . You get that with his unique athleticism and speed, you have a scary combination for a kid who is going into his 10th grade year.”

Page, 6-0, 180 pounds is drawing interest from Arkansas, Auburn, Arizona State, Mississippi, Mississippi State and TCU. Maupin said hes a playmaker on both sides of the ball.

“He makes plays in the secondary, intercepting the ball, coming up in the run game,” Maupin said. “Offensively, he’s a kid you legitimately can just close your eyes and throw the ball up and know he’s coming down with it.”

Maupin believes Page will be highly recruited.

“He’s a good kid that comes from a good home,” Maupin said. “He’s top-notch. I would expect him to be one of the biggest recruits in the state here in the next couple of years. He’s as special as they get.”

Hines, 6-3, 308 pounds is receiving interest from Arkansas, Memphis, Arkansas State, Vanderbilt, Louisiana-Monroe and Central Arkansas. He’s made strong gains in the offseason.

“He’s a kid that reshaped his entire body,” Maupin said. “He was 315 last season and was kind of just a big kid. Now he has shape to his body and has lost so much fat, but he hasn’t lost hardly any weight. He’s 308 and looks like he lost 35 to 40 pounds. He’s going to be a monster.”

The new version of Hines has been impressive.

“He’s completely dominated competition in team camps and our scrimmage,” Maupin said. “He’s pushing people around. He conditions himself after practice everyday. He constantly calls me and asks me what he can do.”

Maupin and Hines talked last spring about the important of drinking water.

“There has been no days since that I haven’t seen him walking around campus with that gallon of water,” Maupin said. “It’s completely changed the way he feels and the way he works.”

He’s moved from tackle to center, the position he’ll most likely play in college.

“I think that’s going to be his natural position at the next level just because at 6-3 you can't be a big-time guard or tackle,” Maupin said. “You might be able to get away with at guard at some smaller level schools, but if you’re big-time and you’re 6-3 300 you’re going to have to be a center.”