LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas is expected to host three prospects on official visits this weekend, including defensive end Sam Tai.
Tai, 6-4, 248 pounds, 4.8 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Las Vegas Liberty High School, is familiar with the Hogs after attending football camps at Fayetteville the past three years. He has 15 scholarship offers, including ones from Arkansas, Colorado, Colorado State, UNLV and Fresno State. On Sunday, UCLA jumped into the mix with an offer.
Joining Tai on his visit will be his mother, Debbie, brother, Albert, and father, Taani, who was an all-conference defensive end at Weber State while Coach Bobby Petrino coached receivers for the Wildcats.
“It’s a big thing for her to experience it,” said Tai of his mother. “She’s heard a lot of good things when I’ve come back from camp.”
Tai, who’s expected to arrive in Fayetteville early this morning, said he is looking forward to taking in Arkansas’ game against Vanderbilt.
“I’ve heard a lot of good things about how crazy the Arkansas fans are on game day,” Tai said. “I’m excited to see that big college atmosphere. That’s a huge factor for me to experience that.”
Tai is being recruited by John L. Smith, Arkansas’ special teams coordinator and linebackers coach. Smith’s background as a linebacker and quarterback at Weber State gives him common ground with Tai’s father.
“I have a good relationship with Coach Smith,” said Tai, who also reports getting mail from receivers coach Kris Cinkovich. “He’s really good with my dad because they have something in common with Weber State, so he and my dad are always talking. I’ve connected with him like all of the other coaches at Arkansas.”
The late offer from the Bruins has Tai very interested.
“I like UCLA as much as I like Arkansas,” said Tai, who has recorded 25 tackles and 7 sacks in 4 games this season after missing several games with an ankle injury. “Their campus is really nice. It puts them at the top competing with Arkansas as far as my rankings go.”
Tai plans to make an unofficial visit to UCLA during their game against Oregon State on Nov. 6 and announce his decision shortly after the visit to the Bruins.
Two other talented defenders with offers from Arkansas, linebacker Josh Francis, 6-2, 213, 4.38, of Lackawanna College in Pennsylvania and defensive lineman Lonnie Gosha, 6-2, 270, of Lake Butler (Fla.) Union County arealso expected to make official visits.
Gosha, who’s considered one of the nation’s top defensive linemen, has recorded 66 tackles, 20 assisted tackles and 11 sacks this season.
“His first step is super fast for 270 pounds,” Union County Coach Ronny Pruitt said. “When you look at him he doesn’t look like he’s 270. He’ll be a 300-pounder, easily.”
In addition to Arkansas, Gosha is expected to make official visits to Miami, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida State.
E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansason line.com
Sports, Pages 24 on 10/29/2010