The state’s most highly regarded sophomore prospect got his first on-campus look at Arkansas' football program on Friday.
Malvern offensive lineman Vinny Winters (6-4, 309), who Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman offered as a freshman, went through camp in Fayetteville with offensive line coach Cody Kennedy.
“From what I am seeing, it’s very nice, I love it and there are great coaches around here,” Winters said. “I love Coach Kennedy. He treats me like his son.”
Winters has offers from Arkansas, Memphis and Arkansas State as well as interest from LSU, Alabama, Florida State, Clemson and others.
“I may be about to get three more soon,” Winters said. “LSU is talking about offering me, (and) Alabama and Florida State.”
Winters, whose team lost to eventual state champion Shiloh Christian in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs last season, is taking a mindset of humility with all the attention.
“I am just remaining humble the whole time,” Winters said. “I come from nothing, so getting all this attention for a small-town kid like me is great. I am enjoying the moment, but I still work hard every day for what I have been given – the opportunity to play college football.”
Winters, one of two Arkansas 2024 offers along with Hot Springs Lakeside athlete Braylen Russell (6-2, 225) has been traveling to several campuses this month.
“I went to IMG Academy, went to Florida State, went to LSU and I went to Ole Miss,” Winters said.
Winters is considering a move to IMG, a prestigious sports prep school in Bradenton, Fla.
“I don’t know yet," he said. "We are going to talk about it some more.”
Winters likes what he is seeing from Pittman and Kennedy.
“I see they are really focused on the linemen," he said, "getting a good connection with them and really working the linemen on passing and running and agility and having conditioning, it looks like.”
There are things he is looking at when considering Arkansas.
“Building a relationship with the coaches, seeing how they get a good feel around here and finding nice places around here to have fun,” Winters said. “I watch Arkansas and I enjoy watching Bama.
"I love watching Coach Pittman, this environment and the way he interacts with players. I really like that.”
Winters still has some traveling to do this summer.
“I believe I am going to Oregon in July,” Winters said. “I am going to go home for about two days, rest and get my mind straight and then get back to work Sunday or Monday.”