The 11th in a series profiling the newcomers on the 2016 Arkansas Razorbacks football team.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Greg and Thea Capps' little boy was born in Little Rock with traits uncommon to the average child.

Austin Capps could hold his head up, crawl with conviction and fine motor skills, pull himself to a standing position and show advanced strength in comparison to other children his age.

"He was just exceptionally strong, even as a toddler. He was strong from Day One," Thea Capps said. "When we started having him around other kids, we noticed they weren't doing some of the things he was doing at the time. He started day care when he was about 6 weeks old, and at that time he was a lot bigger than the other kids his age."

That strength, inside and out, would come in handy for the teenaged Austin Capps and the challenges that lay ahead, beginning Sept. 25, 2011.

The worst day of his life is almost five years past, but the Arkansas freshman defensive lineman from Star City remembers his father Greg's passing from a heart attack all too vividly.

"We went to a football game that Saturday, came back home and it just happened," Capps said. "Saturday night, Sept. 25th. It's kind of a crappy day for the rest of my life, I guess."

Capps honored his father on national signing day earlier this year by posing with Greg Capps' picture on a table with his scholarship papers, a Razorbacks helmet and a small replica hog.

Capps was 14 at the time of Greg Capps' death, and he already was considered a potential major college football prospect who possessed a rare blend of strength and agility for a two-way lineman, as well as nimble moves as a 300-pound first baseman on the baseball diamond. His off-the-field responsibilities took on a new dimension in the fall of 2011.

"He had to grow up really fast, made him mature more," Thea Capps said. "He kind of took that role of the man of the house, sort of without being told to."

Capps said he had to "grow up a little bit," which included setting a better example for his younger sister, Mary Catherine.

Friends of the family, such as Star City defensive line coach Sam McGhee, said they saw maturity growing in Capps through high school after he transferred from Dumas.

"As far as having to grow up and be a man real fast, he had to do it," McGhee said. "I think that will benefit him adjusting to college life, because he's been through so much hard times already. He took care of business like he was a grown man."

Those who have seen Capps play rave about his talent.

"He's a once-in-a-lifetime kind of guy," McGhee said. "I don't think I'll probably ever see one like him. He's just an amazing athlete for someone his size.

"I had the privilege of coaching him in baseball and football, and he's got the quickest hands of anyone I've ever seen and I'm talking about regardless of size."

Said Star City football Coach Jeff Furneaux: "What I tell everybody is you look at him and go gosh, he's huge and he's strong, but the thing you don't see if you don't watch him move is how athletic he is. He probably could have been all-state in basketball if he had played."

"He's always been very good for as large as he is, he's had very good hand-eye coordination and he's very flexible," Thea Capps said. "As a first baseman, he could practically do the splits catching a throw and that's kind of unheard of."

Capps, far from a lumbering big man, also swiped his share of bases.

"I stole a few," he said. "People just wouldn't expect it, and I'd kind of steal second."

Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema said he liked what he saw from Capps after a three-day Arkansas camp, and he extended a scholarship offer the summer before his sophomore year.

"It wasn't what I was expecting that day," Capps said. "I just kind of wanted to get my name out there, and I walk out of there with an offer.

"He called me in his office. I didn't know what was going to happen. He said, 'Austin, I'd like you to come play for the Arkansas Razorbacks.' I was like, 'Do what?' "

Capps signed as a defensive lineman and would like to work into the rotation at nose guard this season.

"I guess I'm more of a run stopper on defense," Capps said. "It's just, I'm hard to move."

However, Capps also played left tackle at Star City, and Bielema hasn't ruled out seeing what Capps has to offer on offense.

"It honestly doesn't matter," Capps said. "I would play anywhere. In high school, I played both ways every snap."

Arkansas coaches liked Capps' power and presence early on.

"You turn on his film and he's sacking guys and pancaking guys," said Barry Lunney Jr., the Razorbacks' main in-state recruiter. "You don't always offer a kid after finishing his ninth grade year, but even then he had the physical size to be able to survive in our league. He's a full-grown man and has been for a while. You could build a line around him on either side of the ball, just because of who he is."

Said Arkansas defensive coordinator Robb Smith: "You love his athleticism. The fact he's an Arkansas kid, playing for the Razorbacks is important to him. He's a really good worker."

Arkansas defensive line coach Rory Segrest said Capps is just as impressive handling his classroom work.

"He's just mature as a kid," Segrest said. "He's the kind of guy who's going to do what you ask him to do. He's real conscientious that way, and I'm excited about working with him."

McGhee said the coaches at Star City never once had to talk to Capps about classwork.

"He's very respectful, and just yes sir, no sir," McGhee said. "He takes coaching well. In my book, he's the total package."

Capps took unofficial visits to schools across the SEC, including Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss and Mississippi State, but the 6-4, 305-pounder knew where he wanted to play.

"Growing up, I was always a Razorback fan," he said. "That's what happens in Arkansas."

He thinks he's joining a football program on the move.

"I think we're on the climb," he said. "We're going to surprise some people this year."

Sports on 07/13/2016