LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas hosted receiver Ryan Timmons and linebacker Antonio Longino on official visits over the weekend, and the Hogs’ 35-26 loss to Rutgers didn’t sour their experience.
Timmons, 5-11, 185 pounds, 4.35 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Frankfort (Ky.) Franklin County High School, is a supreme offensive play maker with more than 10 scholarship offers, including ones from Arkansas, Kentucky, Illinois and Purdue. He said the Hogs fans were very impressive.
“It was different from any other game I’ve been to,” Timmons said.“Probably the closest to that was probably Ohio State. It was just louder and everybody was going crazy. I was sitting behind people and they were going off, and you couldn’t even hear them on the field.”
Longino, 6-3, 220, 4.4, of Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College reports 13 scholarship offers, including ones from Arkansas, Texas A&M, Arizona State, Minnesota, West Virginia, Texas Tech and Cincinnati.
“I had fun on the visit despite of the loss,” said Longino, who reports a 345-pound bench press and 470 squat. “I still like Arkansas a lot. I like the way they feel like a family. I loved the game atmosphere. It was still crazy. The people I met were nice, cool people.”
Timmons has recorded 679 yards and 16 touchdowns on 30 rushes for 22.6 yards per carry in six games this season. He also has 15 receptions for 470 yards and 7 touchdowns. Being able to witness Cobi Hamilton’s SEC-record 303 receiving yards in a game, along with 10 catches and 3 touchdowns, was a treat.
“I was just glad I was there for it,” Timmons said. “That just explains the type of offense and the way they can get you the ball here at Arkansas with the wide receivers and the type of offense that Coach [Paul] Petrino runs. It was great.”
Timmons, who was hosted by fellow Kentuckian Mekale McKay, a freshman receiver, said he spent time with several underclassmen and was told to take his time with his decision.
“I hung out with them for a long time and talked to them,” Timmons said. “Wide receiver ... mostly young kids, mostly freshmen and sophomores that would be there if I came here. I talked to most of them and they told me what it was like and about all of the drama and they were honest with me. It went well.”
Longino said Arkansas was his top school before the visit, and said he still holds the Hogs in high regard.
“They’re No. 1, but I’m still going to take the other visits, though,” said Longino,who plans to officially visit Mississippi State and Arizona State.
Timmons and his mother spent time with his lead recruiter Petrino, the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, and receivers coach Kris Cinkovich after the game.
“We actually ate dinner with them after the game, him and Coach Cink,” said Timmons, who has best times of 10.64 seconds in the 100 meters and 21.34 in the 200. “I sat down with his family and talked with his family, so it went well. We were having a good time, just talking about my game the other night and my season so far.”
Timmons said he plans to make other official visits but hasn’t decided on which schools he’ll visit.
Longino said his player-host, senior linebacker Alonzo Highsmith, was upfront and positive about his time in Fayetteville.
“He’s a cool dude,” Longino said. “He said it’s good. He loves it. He told me to just come in and do your thing. He’s got his degree. He was just real with me. We just had a ball.”
He said his lead recruiter, secondary coach Bobby Allen, has an excellent sense of humor.
“Coach Allen is a cool, funny dude,” said Longino, who plans to graduate in the spring and will have three years to play three. “I like his personality. “
E-mail Richard Davenport at [email protected]
Sports, Pages 19 on 09/25/2012