The Recruiting Guy

Smackover receiver selling others on Razorbacks

Smackover's Jordan Jones runs in a pass for their second TD in the first quarter during their 3A state championship football game Friday, Dec. 12, 2014, at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.
Smackover's Jordan Jones runs in a pass for their second TD in the first quarter during their 3A state championship football game Friday, Dec. 12, 2014, at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

Arkansas commitment Jordan Jones, a junior receiver from Smackover, will be one of at least eight prospects visiting Fayetteville on Saturday and plans to do some recruiting of his own.

Jones, 6-2, 180 pounds, 4.34 seconds in the 40-yard dash, orally committed to Arkansas after receiving a scholarship offer with an eye-opening performance at Arkansas' camp June 19 last summer.

He knows what he'll tell the other top prospects visiting.

"It's a great place to be, and the coaches are going to look out for you," said Jones, who will be accompanied by his father Adrion. "It's a family atmosphere, and it's not just about football They're not only going to teach you how to be a great football player, but teach you how to be a man."

Others juniors expected to visit are Hope defensive end McTelvin Agim, athlete T.J. Hammonds of Pulaski Robinson, Star City defensive lineman/offensive lineman Austin Capps, defensive lineman Chris Daniels of Euless (Texas) Trinity, offensive lineman Kellen Deisch of Trophy Club (Texas) Byron Nelson, receiver Isaiah Graham of Bastrop, La., and linebacker Jordan Carmouche of Manvel, Texas.

Jones has the ability to be a play-maker and someone who can stretch the field. He recorded 37 receptions for 808 yards with an average of 21.8 yards per catch and 12 touchdowns this past season. He had 25 receptions for 687 yards and 10 touchdowns and was named to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's All-Arkansas Preps Super Sophomore team.

He also will use the visit to spend more time with his lead recruiter, tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr.

"Coach Lunney wanted to spend time with me and my family," Jones said. "So we're going to sit down and talk, just get to know him a little and get to know the offensive coordinator a little bit better."

Jones said he appreciates how much communication he's had with Lunney.

"We probably talk every other day, and he'll check with me on Twitter," Jones said. "I can tell they're excited about my commitment. It's pretty cool."

WEIGHTY NUMBERS

Star City junior Austin Capps is extremely strong, so much so that he had no idea his power clean of 365 pounds Monday bested the state high school state record of 360 pounds set by Bijhon Jackson, a defensive lineman who will be a sophomore next season for the Razorbacks.

Capps, 6-3, 312, 5.1, has scholarship offers from Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisville and Mississippi State and is drawing interest from Auburn, Alabama and others.

His reaction to the 360-pound lift?

"Just like, wow, I'm up there with the state's strongest," Capps said.

Capps will have to beat Jackson's mark at the Arkansas High School Weightlifting Championships on April 25 to be recognized as the official record holder because record lifts must take place during the championship competition.

Capps also has maxes of 390 pounds in the bench press and 585 in the squat.

Former Arkansas linebacker David Bazzel, who helped start the competition in 1994, said Capps' three lifts put him in elite company.

"All three lifts would put him as one of the strongest high school football players in the nation," Bazzel said. "There will be some stronger in the bench, but I doubt those benchers would also be cleaning 365 and squatting almost 600.

"That's the kind of kid you want coming into your program, and he's not even a senior yet."

Capps believes he can go heavier in the three lifts.

"I know for sure I'll be in the 400s [on the bench press] this spring and in the squat I'd like 600," Capps said.

He was honored to hear Bazzel's praise.

"I've listened to him on the radio all the time, and seeing what he said about me was pretty awesome," Capps said.

Capps will be accompanied by his mother, Thea, and younger sister, Mary, on his trip Saturday to Fayetteville. He plans to visit Mississippi State on March 28.

He's in no hurry to make a decision.

"Sometime after next season," Capps said.

WELCOME, WILLIE

Safety Willie Sykes flipped his commitment from Nebraska and chose to be a Razorback sight unseen. He'll finally get to see where he'll play his college football when he arrives today for an official visit.

E-mail Richard Davenport at

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Sports on 03/06/2015

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