LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas signed fullback Kiero Small out of Hartnell Community College in Salinas, Calif., in 2011, and the Razorbacks hope to add another prospect from the school, cornerback Carroll Washington, for this year’s recruiting class.
Washington, 5-11, 180, 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has eight scholarship offers, including ones from Arkansas, Texas Tech, Rutgers, Mississippi State and Kansas. He said the Hogs are in his top three because of his relationship with receivers coach Kris Cinkovich, his lead recruiter, and defensive coordinator Paul Haynes.
“My biggest concern is a place where I can go and fit in not only into the program but with the coaches because I think the greatest thing between a player and a coach is the relationship,” Washington said. “That will help me perform better on the field and off the field if I know I have somebody there that has my best interest at heart at any time of the day.”
Washington recorded 27 tackles, 4 interceptions, 6 pass breakups and a forced fumble as a junior-college freshman. He also averaged21.1 yards on kickoff returns. Saying official visits will help him make his decision, Washington plans to make an official visit to Fayetteville and the Nov. 23 game against LSU is a possibility.
“I’ve heard everything I need to hear about the schools and what they have to offer,” Washington said. “I just need to see it for myself now.”
Washington, who plans to graduate in December, said he believes playing quarterback at Edmondson-Westside High School in Baltimore has helped his ball skill, which he said the Razorbacks have noticed.
“They said ... when the ball is in the air I know how to attack it,” Washington said.
UP GOES FRAZIER
Springdale Har-Ber junior defensive tackle Josh Frazier is positioning himself to be one of the top 2014 defensive prospects in the nation, with Arkansas, Alabama and Arkansas State having offered scholarships.
Frazier, 6-4, 344, 5.1, recorded 35 tackles, 5 tackles for loss and 1 sack last year, and was named to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Super Sophomore team. He said he played so-so during the first part of last year but noticed a difference once he started playing with better technique.
“Last year, I kind of bull rushed people; I wasn’t really good techniquewise,” Frazier said. “I’ve really grown in that area. I was really kind of average throughout the first half of the season and then when [Fort Smith] Southside, Bentonville and Fayetteville came, I kind of blew up. I got a feel of what the defensive line was supposed to do. I was supposed to cover the run and get to the quarterback and stuff like that.”
Frazier said his interest in Arkansas hasn’t lessened since the dismissal of Bobby Petrino as the coach of the Razorbacks.
“They’re still on the rise and I think they’re going to be highly ranked and maybe compete for a national championship in the next couple of years.” Frazier said.
ADAMS FAN
Former Hog Joe Adams has completed his eligibility and will play for the Carolina Panthers in the NFL but his play at Arkansas is helping the Razorbacks in the recruitment of Madison, Fla ., cornerback Shedrick Williams.
Williams, 5-11, 180, 4.5, reports 11 scholarship offers, including ones from Arkansas, Florida, South Carolina, Ole Miss and South Florida. He also returns kicks for his school.
“I look up to Joe Adamson kickoff and punt returns,” Williams said. “I could fit the shoes of what he did or maybe even better. I look at colleges to where I could fit in.”Adams’ 60-yard punt return against Tennessee was recently nominated for an ESPN ESPY Award for best play.
“I didn’t see the whole game but I saw that clip,” Williams said. “It was crazy, one person broke through all those tackles.”
Williams has visited Florida and Florida State, and said Arkansas is a possibility.
“I’m just trying to make my way to Arkansas to tell you the truth,” Williams said. “I might go visit USF because that’s sort of closer.”
E-mail Richard Davenport at [email protected]
Sports, Pages 21 on 07/10/2012