Arkansas a dream come true for Robinson's Towers

JT Towers of Joe T. Robinson runs with the ball during a game against Springdale on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Charlie George Stadium in Little Rock.

— At the first of the month, linebacker JT Towers of Little Rock was not sure where he was going to play college football.

But not long after he was offered the chance to be a preferred walk-on at Arkansas, Towers (6-4, 210, 4.6) was offered a scholarship by the Razorbacks after some film study by the new coaching staff.

It didn't take long for the Joe. T. Robinson High School senior to commit to his dream school.

“Yeah, it’s kind of weird, but I kind of always knew I was going to end up here,” Towers said. “I don’t know how to explain it. It’s just special how it’s all come together.”

He chose Arkansas over offers from Utah, Tulsa, Illinois State, Army, Louisiana-Lafayette and others. He also holds preferred walk-on offers from Oklahoma and Texas Tech.

The Arkansas offer came after a senior season in which Towers recorded 171 tackles, 47 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and 5 forced fumbles.



“I got the offer and committed right away,” Towers said. “Every since then, local news stations and all that have been talking to me a lot. I’m just kind of getting adjusted to all that and what it’s going to be like when I get up here.”

Towers' offer came from Arkansas linebackers coach Rion Rhoades, who is at his first major college job after being the head coach at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College for 13 years.

“Coach Rhoades is the one that recruited me and kind of went to bat for me to get me an offer, just getting to spend some time with him this weekend, he’s a great guy,” Towers said. “He’s going to put me in good positions on the field. I’ll take some of his knowledge of the game and translate it into my game. We’re both going to have to prove ourselves on the big stage. I’m looking forward to it.”

Towers was one of seven official visitors the Razorbacks hosted this weekend. His host was Hazen defensive end Blayne Toll, who enrolled in January at Arkansas. Towers also spent time with freshman receiver Treylon Burks of Warren.

“I already knew some of the guys. I grew up around Treylon and Blayne Toll and those guys,” Towers said. “Getting to come up here and them taking me in with open arms, it’s been a really great weekend.”

It was Toll’s first time as an official host.

“He’s been doing good,” Towers said. "He’s getting in the groove with the workouts and he kinda gave me the rundown on what to expect.”

Towers will be having surgery this week on his right big toe, which he tore a ligament in during Robinson’s season opener against Springdale. He played through the injury the entire year.

“I’m having surgery next Wednesday so I’m just rehabbing and getting back right, putting on weight, as much as I can, before I get up here,” Towers said.

Towers tried his hand at recruiting Conway offensive lineman Robert Scott and Texas prep tight end Brandon Frazier this weekend.

“For sure,” Towers said. “Big Rob, talked to him quite a bit. He’s a good player (and) we need him here. The tight end, Frazier, I was talking to him for a little bit Friday night. He seems like a great guy. I hope they make the right decision.”