The Recruiting Guy

Defensive end's brother, 6, sold on Hogs coach

Keion and Keir Thomas during June visit to Arkansas.

Miami Central defensive end Keir Thomas is sorting out his list of schools to determine where he'll play college football.

If his 6-year-old brother Keion has his druthers, Thomas will end up in a Razorbacks uniform.

Thomas, a Florida State commitment, visited Fayetteville on June 5-6 with teammate Donavan Thompson, a linebacker. Keion also accompanied his older brother, as did his father, Keir Thomas Sr., and mother, Nia Clark.

"My little brother still talks about the Arkansas visit," Thomas said.

Much of Keion's approval stems from his opinion of Coach Bret Bielema.

"He remembers Coach Bielema," Thomas said. "Any time Coach Bielema comes on TV, he'll say, 'Look at Coach B.' "

Keion also accompanied Thomas on visits to South Carolina and Central Florida, but he didn't warm up to Coach Steve Spurrier or Coach George O'Leary.

"Just Coach B," Thomas said.

Thomas, 6-2, 250 pounds, 4.7 seconds in the 40-yard dash, is rated by ESPN as the No. 31 defensive end and No. 226 overall prospect in the nation. Included among the school that have offered scholarships are Arkansas, Florida State, Auburn, Oklahoma, Alabama, West Virginia, Oregon State and Louisville.

Keion, who will attend the first grade this fall, wasn't too talkative during the June visit but spoke of Bielema afterward.

"He said something when we left like, 'Coach B is cool, man,' " Thomas said. "He thinks Coach B is always happy because Coach B walks around his office with his shoes off."

Thomas was named to the Class 6A All-State team as a junior after recording 18 sacks and forcing six fumbles. Arkansas is one of three schools he plans to officially visit. A trip to Florida State is still uncertain.

"Arkansas, Oklahoma and Auburn for now," Thomas said.

He explained his reasons for wanting to see Arkansas again.

"The facilities were nice, the coaches, how they took me in," said Thomas, who plans to graduate in December and enroll at his new school in January. "They communicated to me, and they're still communicating with me now. They treated my family like they were their family."

His father also was impressed with the Hogs.

"My dad is pushing Arkansas," Thomas said. "He likes Arkansas a lot. My mom pretty much doesn't care. She just doesn't want me to make the wrong decision."

Thomas said the school he signs with will have to show him that he's wanted.

"This is how it's going to be: I'm going to love who loves me," Thomas said. "So whoever shows me the most love, that's obviously who wants me. Like if it's two teams, I'll just have to pray on it."

Linebackers coach Vernon Hargreaves is Thomas' lead recruiter

"He's pretty cool," Thomas said. "When he first saw my film he told me, 'Oh my God, you're a great kid'. Ever since that day he's been communicating with me. He makes sure I'm all right. He makes sure I'm doing good in camp and makes sure I'm staying healthy. That's good."

A defensive scheme that will allow him to make plays also will play a big role in his decision. He said he likes what defensive coordinator Robb Smith has planned for him.

"I like it, I love it," said Thomas, who has a 3.1 grade-point average and is considering sports management or public speaking as majors. "The position they'll have me at, I'll pretty much be making the most plays on defense."

DL PLANS VISIT

Fort Worth All Saints Episcopal defensive lineman Michael Williams, 6-2 1/2, 300, 4.95, said he plans to take an official visit to Arkansas.

Williams, who is committed to Stanford, has more than 30 scholarship offers from schools that include Arkansas, Texas, TCU, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Baylor.

ESPN rates him the No. 20 defensive tackle and No. 195 overall prospect in the nation.

E-mail Richard Davenport at

rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports on 08/14/2015