RECRUITING: Teammate passes on good word about Hogs

Kalon Gervin

Highly regarded junior cornerback Kalon Gervin, thanks to word of mouth, is interested enough in Arkansas to consider a visit to Fayetteville.

Gervin, 5-11, 180 pounds, 4.43 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Detroit Cass Technical has more than 20 scholarship offers, including Arkansas, Michigan, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Tennessee and several others.

Gervin's teammate, highly recruited safety Jaylen Kelly-Powell, visited Fayetteville in June and spoke well of the Hogs and defensive backs coach Paul Rhoads.

"He said he loved the atmosphere, the SEC atmosphere," Gervin said. "I took in, and he told me what he liked about it. He said he loved the DB coach and the whole staff period."

National recruiting analyst Tom Lemming of CBS Sports Network rates Gervin a 4-star prospect.

"He's an outstanding cover corner on one of the most talented teams in the Midwest," Lemming said. "He is coached by Tom Wilcher, a former Michigan Wolverine running back who has put together a great program in Detroit's public League. He is not real big, but quick as a cat. He has loose hips and he is very quick in transition and is one of the best in the Midwest."

Gervin has been communicating with Rhoads and offensive coordinator Dan Enos, who is originally from Michigan.

"They like me a lot," Gervin said. "They love my film. I talk to them a lot."

Gervin ran the second leg of the Cass Technical's Division 1 400-meter relay state championship team that was timed in 42.26 seconds. Kelly-Powell, who also ran a leg on the relay, told Gervin about Arkansas' facilities.

"He said everything is top-notch," Gervin said.

It's possible Gervin will make it to Fayetteville for a game.

"I have to plan it and talk to my mom," Gervin said.

Gervin, who has a 3.2 grade point average and is planning to major in communication, respects Kelly-Powell's opinion about Arkansas.

"Jaylen is older than me, I just take it and listen to him and trust his word," Gervin said.

VAN HORN GETS START ON 2019 CLASS

A few days after receiving a scholarship offer from Arkansas baseball Coach Dave Van Horn, Springdale Har-Ber sophomore right-handed pitcher and outfielder Blake Adams committed to the Hogs.

Adams and his parents visited Van Horn in early July and were notified of the offer.

"We talked about how I have a chance to be a two-way player if I want to, and I'm one of the top prospects for the 2019 class," Adams said. "It was just a great opportunity to sit down and talk with him."

Adams, 6-1, 195 , batted. 385 and had 22 RBIs, 2 home runs along with having a 1-1 record, 0.66 ERA, 18 strikeouts in 102/3 innings while giving just one earned run as a freshman.

He was named 7A-West All Conference, Northwest Arkansas Democrat- Gazette All Area team, United States Specialty Sports Association All-American and the Prep Baseball Report No. 1 prospect in Arkansas for the 2019 class.

Adams, who committed on July 12, said he was caught off guard by the Arkansas offer.

"Honestly, I was a little surprised that I got one this early, but Arkansas has been the school I wanted to go to," Adams said. "I was super excited."

Adams, who's fastball hit 91 mph on the radar gun last month, said Van Horn expects him to throw harder in the future.

"He said in a couple of years I would be hitting 95, 96," Adams said.

Adams also throws a slider, curve ball and a change up. His early commitment is a stress reliever.

"It takes a lot of pressure off of my game during the summer," Adams said. "I can relax that I already have a scholarship and I don't have to impress all the other schools."

E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports on 07/19/2016