Dumas offensive lineman Johnny Gibson credited Arkansas tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. helping him decide to walk on and be a Razorback.
“He talked to me about once every two weeks to let me know they they were still thinking about me,” Gibson said. “It felt great. I know there’s a lot of players in the country they’re looking at to help win the SEC. They bring a lot of recruits in and to be one of those they keep in contact with helped my decision.”
Gibson, 6-4, 320, 5.0 seconds in the 40, has all the physical tools needed to eventually earn a scholarship at some point. He turned down offers from Henderson State, Ouachita Baptist, Arkansas-Monticello, Southern Arkansas and others. Video highlights CLICK HERE
He has a 3.837 grade point average and plans to major in electrical engineering.
“Arkansas has one of the top engineering schools,” Gibson said.
A three-sports athlete, Gibson throws the shot put and discus in track and field. He averages about 15 points and 9 rebounds a game in basketball.
“It definitely helps my footwork,” said Gibson of basketball. “I know I use basketball to play man defense that corresponds with my pass blocking by keeping the defender in front of me. I use my hands like a doing football too. If I keep them in front of me and basketball makes football way easier.”
He was one of the more impressive offensive linemen at Arkansas’ camp last summer. A year or two working under strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert will give Gibson the added strength and athleticism to compete for playing time.
“The main thing I believe I can bring to Arkansas is a great mind as well as a work ethic,” Gibson said. “I know I have to go up there and work hard and I think I can help other people as a great teammate to get better too.”