LITTLE ROCK — Power forward Isaiah Watkins has an impressive list of schools trying to secure his basketball services and has approximately 40 scholarship offers, including one from Arkansas.
Watkins, 6- 7, 220 pounds, of St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, N.J., said he is attracted to Arkansas because of the Hogs’ style of play, which he believes fits his talents.
“I know they’re a run-andgun offense and up-tempo,” Watkins said. “I’m impressed how they move up and down the floor so fast. They’ve really struck a chord with me with their running game and how I like to play.”
The Razorbacks appear to be in line for a visit.
“I’m almost definite that I’m going to come, probably for an official,” Watkins said. “But I’m definitely trying to find a way down there to see everything.”
Watkins, who reports a 3.3 grade-point average, said he puts a big emphasis on academics.
“I’m pretty open right now to a lot of different schools with Stanford, Harvard, Princeton, University of Miami, Villanova, Rhode Island,” Watkins said.
Watkins moved to New Jersey from Canada last August to attend St. Benedict’s Prep. He said the move to a boarding school has been good for him.
“It was kind of an adjustment,” he said. “I’ve been taking care of myself and what comes with it. Doing the wash and all that stuff constantly. It was a little tough at first ... but [it has] prepared me for the next level and to be able to take care of my own things and to be able to handle a schedule for school and basketball and be able to maintain it all.”
DRIVEN IN INDY
Arkansas is on par with all the other schools who have offered scholarships to highly touted Indiana defensive lineman Darius Latham.
“I’m interested in Arkansas,” Latham said. “I’m pretty much open in my recruiting right now, so things can go in either direction.”
Latham, 6-5, 280 pounds, of Indianapolis North Central, has approximately 20 scholarship offers, including ones from Arkansas, Florida, Michigan, Notre Dame and Wisconsin.
“That’s big-time football, and Arkansas revolves around the school,” Latham said of the Razorbacks. “Because that’s really all they have in Arkansas, and that’s a plus. If I went there, the team would have a lot of support.”
Visits to schools this summer will be scarce, said Latham, who plays center and power forward for his high school basketball team.
“I have AAU basketball and The Opening at Oregon to go to,” Latham said, referring to the Nike football camp. “I’m going to summer school. I have a lot going on right now.”
Latham, whose lead recruiter at Arkansas is linebackers coach Taver Johnson, said conference affiliation is a nonfactor for him.
“Really, I don’t think you can lose anywhere you go,” he said.
A nice climate, his major and playing time will help Latham in choosing a school, he said.
“I want a school that fits me best,” said Latham, who has a 3.0 GPA. “Nice weather, decent weather. My major, which is sports management. A school that needs me. I don’t want to go to and sit behind a bunch of guys. I want to be a an impact player.”
TEAM USA
One Arkansas commitment and several Hogs prospects will play for the U.S. Under-19 national team at the International Federation of American Football Championship in Austin, Texas, on Saturday-July 7. The U.S. team will compete against teams from seven other nations.
Safety Khari Harding of Edmond (Okla.) Santa Fe is the lone Arkansas commitment participating in the tournament. Other Hogs recruits taking part include linebacker Eric Beisel of Fenton (Mo.) Rockwood Summit, defensive lineman Herbert Moore of Memphis East, offensive lineman Austin Bland of Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas and linebacker Kight Dallas of Stone Mountain (Ga.) Stephenson.
Bland is planning to attend Arkansas’ camp July 21 in hopes of earning a scholarship offer. Moore is committed to Ole Miss but has said he would like an offer from the Razorbacks. Dallas is committed to South Carolina but has said he hopes to visit the Hogs.
Also on the U.S. team is Memphis East offensive lineman Bobby Billingsley, an Arkansas State recruit.
E-mail Richard Davenport at
Sports, Pages 28 on 06/24/2012