LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas commitment and Forrest City defensive end Tevin Beanum achieved his goal of getting his education paid for by earning a scholarship offer at Arkansas’ July camp. He committed to the Hogs about a month later.
He achieved another goal Tuesday, after learning he made a 30 on his ACT, which is supposed to earn him a new set of wheels.
“I made a deal with my mom,” Beanum said. “If I can get a 30 and get my school paid for, can I get a new car for college? She told me I only had one more chance to do it.”
Beanum said he scored a 27 when he took the ACT as a junior during football season.
“The last time I took it I didn’t study at all to be honest,” Beanum said. “I just took it because they said you should get a feel for it.”
Beanum called his mother, Sandra Angelucci, after finding out his score, and informed her she needed to get the checkbook ready.
“She said ‘What? You made a 30?’ ” Beanum said laughing.
What kind of car is he looking for?
“Just something that gets good gas mileage,” Beanum said. “Because the four-hour trips from Fayetteville to Forrest City to see my family is going to be a doozy if it’s not affordable.”
Beanum, 6-4, 235 pounds, who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.72 seconds, said being able to reach both goals is satisfying.
“To say I have college paid for and brag to my mother about it but at the same time play football and have a 30, it feels good,” he said. “I completed both sides of the deal.”
Beanum, who recorded 76 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5sacks, 2 recovered fumbles and 1 forced fumble this season, said Mustangs Coach Rich Trail teased him about his first ACT score when he would mess up in practice.
“He always said something about my ACT score: ‘I don’t see how you made a 27,’ ” Beanum said laughing. “I said, ‘I’m going to prove you wrong.’ ”
Beanum, who plans to make an official visit to Arkansas on Jan. 18-20, said he and Trail wagered a buffet dinner on whether or not he could score a 30.
“I think I like a Chinese buffet,” Beanum said. “So I’ll probably go to a Chinese buffet with the rest of the team.”
Beanum sought the help of Forrest City English composition and language teacher Rita Gorman after struggling a bit with the English portion of the ACT.
“Every morning about 6:30, she taught me basically everything over again,” Beanum said. “As far as commas and all that, so I had a better understanding. It improved; it went from 25 to a 30. So it improved five points like in three weeks time. “
Beanum has been committed to Arkansas since August, but he said he appreciates recruiting coordinator and running backs coach Tim Horton staying in touch and sending him handwritten letters.
“It means a lot,” Beanum said. “Just the fact he would take the time to do that and check on me and the fact he’s available whenever I need him, because when I call he pretty much answers.”
E-mail Richard Davenport at [email protected]
Sports, Pages 35 on 11/18/2012