The Recruting Guy

Texas running back ready to look at Arkansas

An Arkansas Razorback helmet at Chad Morris introductory press conference Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017.

Running back Deion Hankins received a scholarship offer from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville on March 14 and he said he's looking forward to visiting the Razorbacks.

"My interest definitely went up due to the fact that they are located right by my grandpa and along with that they are SEC football," said Hankins, whose grandfather Calvin West lives in Little Rock.

Hankins, 6-0, 210 pounds, 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of El Paso (Texas) Parkland, also has scholarship offers from Oklahoma State, Utah, Texas Tech, San Diego State and others. He was notified of the offer by Jeff Traylor, Arkansas' associate head coach and running backs coach.

"Our relationship is pretty much laid back for the most part," Hankins said. "We text each other to see how we are doing along with any sports we are watching."

He said Traylor has talked up the atmosphere around Fayetteville, the Razorbacks' fan base and the coaching staff.

"They all pretty much moved from SMU to Arkansas, which is good considering that they staying coaching together," Hankins said of the Razorbacks' staff.

Hankins has rushed for more than 2,000 yards each of the past two seasons. He had 354 carries for 2,812 yards and 23 touchdowns as a sophomore and rushed for 2,066 yards and 24 touchdowns on 246 rushes last season.He has accumulated 5,224 rushing yards in three seasons.

His work ethic on the field is the same in the classroom, and that shows with a 3.91 grade-point average. His desire to major in engineering goes years back.

"It's been my main interest since middle school due to my creativity," he said. "At my middle school, they had an engineering program called TSTEM, which was based on problem solving, innovation and building that carried on to the high school. I entered it in seventh grade and felt it was the best fit."

Hankins, who was a team captain the past two seasons, said he isn't just focused on football and an education when deciding on where he'll attend college.

"No. 1, of course, is faith-based," he said. "I would like to go to a college where I can not only grow physically, but also spiritually. No. 2 would be engineering and three would be the environment and surroundings."

See the stars

Arkansas basketball fans will be able to watch all six of the Hogs' early signees at the Mike Conley Jr. All Star Classic at Pinnacle View Middle School in Little Rock on April 5.

The signees and other in-state all stars will take on a a group of Tennessee All Stars at 7:30 p.m., while the girl's all star game will tipoff at 6 p.m.

ESPN rates Arkansas' signing class as No. 22 in the nation and power forwards Ethan Henderson, 6-9, 190, of Little Rock Parkview, and Reggie Chaney, 6-8, 230, of Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nev., as 4-star prospects while Henderson is the No. 87 overall recruit.

Guards Isaiah Joe, 6-4, 170, of Fort Smith Northside, and Keyshawn Embery, 6-4, 187, of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., are also 4-star prospects, while guard Desi Sills, 6-1, 170, of Jonesboro, and guard-forward Jordan Phillips, 6-7, 210, of Grace Prep in Arlington, Texas, are 3-star recruits.

The Arkansas girl's team will be led by Arkansas small forward commitment Erynn Barnum of Little Rock Central, TCU forward signee Yo'Myrie Morris of North Little Rock and Arkansas State guard signee Jordan Elder of Nettleton.

Email Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports on 03/23/2018