The Recruiting Guy

Small forward views UA as land of opportunity

Adrio Bailey in high school in 2015.
Adrio Bailey in high school in 2015.

Small forward Adrio Bailey, who plans to officially visit Arkansas on Oct. 23-25, hit it off well with assistant coach Matt Zimmerman.

"He's just a great, down-to-earth guy," Bailey said. "I can relate to him."

Bailey, 6-6, 205 pounds, plays for Campti (La.) Lakeview and has scholarship offers from schools that include Arkansas, Wichita State, Murray State, Old Dominion and Louisiana Tech.

Zimmerman is known for his high energy, and Bailey got a taste of that during a recent contact period when the assistant coach visited his school.

"That's what I like," Bailey said. "You get pumped up a little. He got me a little amped."

Bailey, who officially visited Louisiana Tech last weekend, said he is looking forward to his trip to Fayetteville.

"I'm just excited to see the campus and just seeing the environment of Arkansas," he said. "I can't wait to meet Coach [Mike] Anderson."

Bailey's uncle is a big Razorbacks fan and is excited about his nephew possibly being a Hog.

"He said not too many people get this opportunity from where I'm from and to take advantage of the situation," Bailey said.

Bailey averaged about 15 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 2.3 blocks while leading the Gators to a 34-4 record during his junior season. He said Zimmerman compares him to former Razorback Michael Qualls.

"He said you're either going to be an energy taker or an energy giver," Bailey said. "He told me I was like an energy giver, so I would fit right in with Arkansas."

BARNES A PLAY-MAKER

Cabot's Jarrod Barnes is one of the top juniors in the state.

"He's probably the best athlete I've had the opportunity to coach," said Coach Mike Malham, who has been at Cabot for 35 seasons and has won two state titles. "He's so explosive. He can get to full speed in almost one step it seems. He's just a great athlete."

Barnes, 5-11, 173, 4.52 seconds in the 40-yards dash, plays quarterback and has rushed 39 times for 430 yards and 6 touchdowns for the 5-0 Panthers. He rushed for 824 yards and 9 touchdowns and passed for 364 yards and 2 touchdowns as a sophomore.

Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas State are showing interest.

"When I run the ball, all I'm thinking about is going to score," said Barnes, whose brother Holdyn is a senior defensive back for Cabot. "Another thing on my mind is don't let one person tackle me, because if you let one person tackle you then that means that person is better than you. So you have to make them miss."

Arkansas tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. has been communicating with Barnes, who is being recruited as a slot receiver by the Razorbacks.

In an effort to take advantage of Barnes' play-making ability, Malham has started using the Wildcat formation this season.

"It's been real good to us when we've needed it," Malham said. "He has the option to run or throw."

HOGS MAKE CUT

Arkansas is one of eight finalists for highly recruited receiver Tyrie Cleveland of Houston (Texas) Westfield.

Cleveland, 6-3, 190, 4.32, had more than 40 scholarship offers before narrowing his list Thursday to Arkansas, Arizona State, Ole Miss, TCU, Texas A&M, Houston, Oklahoma and Florida.

E-mail Richard Davenport at

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Sports on 10/09/2015

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