LITTLE ROCK — It’s no secret Arkansas is looking for linebackers for the 2013 recruiting class, and the Razorbacks are hosting one of the better junior-college linebackers, Myke Tavarres of Weed (Calif.) College of the Siskiyous, on an unofficial visit Wednesday through Friday.
“I’m not really sure what to expect, and I’m excited to meet the coaches personally and be able to talk to them face to face,” Tavarres said. “I’m just excited to see the overall atmosphere of what it’s like to live in Arkansas.”
Tavarres, 6-2 1/2, 215 pounds, 4.42 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has scholarship offers from Arkansas, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon State, Rutgers and Texas Tech but has narrowed his list to Arkansas and Arizona.
“Right now it’s between Arizona and Arkansas,” Tavarres said. “If I love the visit and if I love the people, how the visit goes, I’ll become a Razorback, not a Wildcat. I love both schools, love both programs and where they’re headed. “
Receivers coach Kris Cinovich has been the lead recruiter of Tavarres for Arkansas.
“He’s really focused on me having a good time there and enjoying my experience there,” Tavarres said. “He wants me to become a part of the Arkansas family, become a part of the Razorback family.”
Arkansas linebackers coach Taver Johnson also has impressed him.
“I love Taver. Taver is a great coach and an even better person,” Tavarres said. “I actually can’t wait to sit down and talk to him a little bit more and get to know him a little bit better.”
LINEMAN EARNS OFFER
Carrollton (Texas) Hebron sophomore offensive lineman Zach Rogers more than held his own against the best defensive linemen at Arkansas’ recent prospect camp, which earned him a scholarship offer by the Razorbacks.
Rogers was informed of the offer when he called Arkansas defensive ends coach Kevin Peoples on Saturday after leaving the Razorbacks’ three-day camp.
Rogers, 6-3, 275 pounds, 5.06 seconds in the 40-yard dash, showed good strength and technique throughout the camp and maintained his ground during 1-on-1 drills. Rogers said his development as a player got a boost when, as a 14-year-old freshman, he went up against Arkansas freshman defensive end Deatrich Wise, who also attended Hebron.
“It was amazing,” Rogers said. “To be the best, you have to practice against the best and beat the best. He would beat me and then help me back up and show me what to do next time. It helped a lot.”
Rogers said Wise has told him good things about Arkansas.
“He said he loves it,” Rogers said. “He said he likes being around the people. He just loves being up here and loves the program.”
GAINING INTEREST
Forrest City senior defensive end Tevin Beanum opened eyes at Arkansas’ camp with his explosiveness off the ball and his speed off the edge.
Beanum, 6-4, 235 pounds, 4.72 seconds in the 40-yard dash, moved to Arkansas about 10 years ago from Germany, where his father was a computer analyst for the Department of Defense. Last year was his first time to play football since the seventh grade.
“I think I did fairly well,” Beanum said. “My performance got better as the camp went on. They taught me new techniques. I’ve been going to camps throughout the summer, so my technique got better, and I improved a lot more today. I think I learned more here than any other camp this summer.”
Beanum has scholarship offers from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Ouachita Baptist and Harding University. Arkansas State and Arkansas Tech are showing strong interest as well.
Beanum said Arkansas Coach John L. Smith liked his athletic ability.
“He liked that I was athletic and said he wanted to see some film,” Beanum said. “I guess he was also intrigued that last year was my first year to play.”
E-mail Richard Davenport at [email protected]
Sports, Pages 19 on 07/24/2012