LITTLE ROCK — Forrest City receiver Davyon “Sleepy” McKinney, Springdale offensive lineman Mitch Smothers and Malvern defensive lineman Grady Ollison are three of several Arkansas football signees who not only excel on the field but also at their after-school jobs.
McKinney has worked at Burger King for a year and a half.
“My momma is a single parent and she was going back and forth working three and four jobs, so I had to go get me a job,” McKinney said. “I use the money to help my mother out and buy the things I need.”
McKinney uses his mother’s car but has saved up money for a car he hopes to purchase before reporting to Fayetteville.
“I’m shooting for a Mustang,” McKinney said. “I’ve been shopping for one the last two weekends, and every time I go the next day someone buys the car.”
Jeanna Bieber, the general manager at the Burger King where McKinney works, said McKinney comes to the restaurant to get something to eat before going to school for 6 a.m. workouts.
“He’s a good, responsible kid,” said Bieber, who attended McKinney’s signing ceremony Feb. 2. “As far as his work ethic, he’s fast and determined to do a good job. He comes in anytime he can to get some extra hours and make a little extra money.”
McKinney worked Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday nights during football season, but he knows he won’t be able to do that as a Razorback. It’s not unusual for Hogs fans to request to see him while he’s on the job.
“They’ll drive through and ask if that McKinney kid is working,” he said. “I have to go to the drive-through to say hi so they can drive off.”
Smothers, who has been busing tables for about 3 1/2 months at Outback Steakhouse in Springdale, uses most of his paycheck to make monthly payments on his 2004 Ford F-150 pickup that he purchased last May.
Working three to four times a week has taught Smothers how best to utilize his time.
“It’s helped me with my time management to space everything out,” Smothers said. “I’ll go to school from about 8:45 to about 4, and if I don’t have to work after school, I’ll do my workout.”
Assistant manager Jessica Bouchet said Smothers has an excellent work ethic.
“Mitch definitely exceeded my expectations,” Bouchet said. “I’m very proud of him.He’s wonderful kid, and I wish him the best. I think he’s going to do wonders, not only on the field but off the field. “
Bouchet said numerous customers ask about Smothers, who often takes time to visit with them.
“It does give you a good feeling,” Smothers said of visiting with Razorbacks fans. “It encourages you and makes you want to do better and do well at Arkansas.”
Ollison works at a Wendy’s four to five times a week and at Larry’s Pizza on Sunday nights, but he expects to reduce his work schedule now that he’s received Arkansas’ workout plan.
“I’ll have to cut back on my hours,” Ollison said. “I have to start hitting the weights super hard.”
Ollison, who has been working since he was 16, uses his paychecks for spending money and upkeep on his2008 Jeep Cherokee.
“I’m saving a little money,” said Ollison, who worked at the pizza place on Tuesday and Sunday during football season. “You have to have a little money when you go off to college.”
Ollison said current Arkansas players have told him how he needs to manage his time once he’s on campus.
“I think I’ve done a pretty good job the last couple of years going to school and going to football practice for two to three hours and then go to work for four or five,” he said.
Becky Mims, the general manger at Wendy’s where Ollison works, said Ollison has been a model employee.
“He’s very respectful, very dependable and very polite to others and tries to help people,” Mims said. “I never have any problems out of him. He’s a good kid, and he’ll go far in life.”
Ollison has had his share of fans wanting to meet him as well. Recently while he was taking an order from a woman, the woman’s husband recognized Ollison.
The man told Ollison he looked familiar and asked his name, and when Ollison told him his first name, the man put it together and mentioned to his wife that Ollison had committed to the Razorbacks.
“His wife just started going crazy,” Ollison said, “saying, ‘We have to get a picture with you and have to get your autograph, and you have to sign my shirt for me.’ ” E-mail Richard Davenport at [email protected]
Sports, Pages 34 on 02/20/2011