The Recruiting Guy

Junior college DE gets UA offer, shows interest

Michael Clemons

Junior college defensive end Michael Clemons received his 10th scholarship offer when Arkansas defensive line coach Rory Segrest extended one Tuesday.

"I am grateful for the offer and Arkansas taking the time to look into me and wanting me to be apart of their program," Clemons said. "I talked with Coach Segrest and he actually offered me. He fired me up about the program."

Clemons, 6-7, 240 pounds of Cisco College in Texas, also has offers from Ole Miss, Missouri, Tennessee, North Carolina State, Kansas State, Minnesota and others.

He was impressed with what Segrest had to say about the Razorbacks program.

"He let me know about the successful players that have come through Arkansas," said Clemons, who has a 325-pound bench press and 500 squat. "The program has made some great players, and if I would go there I could be one of them."

He missed most of his senior season at Sachse (Texas) High School in the Garland school district before redshirting last year at Cisco.

"He's a good kid," Sachse Coach Red Behrens said. "He's a late bloomer. He worked out here during the summer. He has a Sunday body. I saw [junior college] film of him this past spring and you can tell his physical growth has given him confidence."

Clemons will graduate in the spring and have three years to play three at the next level. He reports running 4.53 seconds in the 40-yard dash and 4.03 seconds in the pro-shuttle during spring testing.

The Hogs will lose five seniors on the defensive line after the season and that's something that has Clemons' attention.

"I could have the chance to play immediately, and impact the program by next fall," Clemons said.

Whatever official visits Clemons takes won't be decided until later, instead waiting for his season to end.

Clemons, who's planning to major criminal justice, said he is looking for a school that will help him prepare for life after football.

"My main focus is my education," Clemons said. "I need a great program and educational system. Football is going to come to an end at some point, and I want a school that will help me to where I can know what I'm doing and handle my business as a man."

Junior DE to visit

Arkansas is expected to host numerous prospects for unofficial visits during Saturday's game against Louisiana Tech in Fayetteville.

Junior defensive end Jalan Harris, 6-3, 250, 4.70 of Haynesville, La., along with sophomore athlete Lance Grider and junior safety Jamarceon Jackson, both teammates, will be making their first trip to Fayetteville for the game.

"I'm looking forward to meeting the coaching staff and getting that home feel," Harris said. "I can't wait to see what the atmosphere is like on the Hill and also a Hog win."

Jackson, who has offers from Mississippi State, Texas-San Antonio and Louisiana-Lafayette, is ESPN's No. 20 safety and No. 300 overall prospect in the nation for the 2018 class. Grider is the nephew of former Razorback defensive end Johnny Meadors and cousin of former Arkansas receiver J.J. Meadors.

Arkansas sophomore fullback Kendrick Jackson of Haynesville, who signed with Arkansas in 2015, has talked up the Hogs.

"He's said it's a wonderful place to be, not just far as football, but as being a student also," Harris said.

He's talking with receivers coach Michael Smith.

"He's telling me that I'm his guy. I just have to get up there and meet the staff and let the head man see me," Harris said. "I was supposed to come up for camp, but it was a busy June for me so I didn't get to make it."

Others expected to visit on Saturday include Arkansas commitments Koilan Jackson, a receiver from Joe T. Robinson, offensive lineman Shane Clenin of Festus (Mo.) Jefferson, cornerback Jordon Curtis of Jenks, Okla., and offensive lineman Kirby Adcock of Nashville. Jackson is the son of former NFL All-Pro and Arkansas broadcaster Keith Jackson.

Junior safety Wayne Jones of Owasso, Okla., along with Joe T. Robinson junior athlete Nathan Page and junior defensive end David Porter will also attend the game.

E-mail Richard Davenport atrdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports on 09/02/2016