Kansas LB says UA fans ‘all over me on Twitter’
Arkansas fans rejoiced after learning the Hogs would host highly recruited linebacker Jimmie Swain for an official visit for the Auburn game on Nov. 2.
Swain, 6-3, 228 pounds, 4.46 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Olathe (Kan.) North has approximately 18 scholarship offers, including ones from Arkansas, Oregon, TCU, Michigan, Oklahoma State and Stanford. The Razorbacks have worked hard in letting him know he’s a priority for them.
“They’ve sent me a lot of handwritten letters, and I just thought they were very sincere,” said Swain, who’s committed to TCU. “I’ve always been told to enjoy the recruiting process from literally from every single person I’ve talked to. I thought it would be a good idea to come check them out since they’re so passionate. They always seem to be so passionate about me.”
National recruiting analyst Tom Lemming of CBS Sports Network rates Swain a 4-star prospect.
“He showed the ability to run with running backs and has the potential to become a difference maker,” Lemming said. “He played hard on every down, showing good closing speed and an explosive first couple of steps.”
Swain, who has a 37-inch vertical leap, said Hogs fans on Twitter have also played a part in his desire to visit.
“Really, their fans really brought in for them, too,” said Swain, who has a 335-pound bench press and 420-pound squat. “Because they’re very verbal and very open about how they feel about me coming down there and they seem like very nice people. They’re never like malicious or anything. They’re all over me on Twitter.”
He said defensive coordinator Chris Ash and linebackers coach Randy Shannon have kept in contact with him.
“They just try to stay updated with what’s going on with me right now on the football field and how I’m doing this season,” Swain said.
Should he sign with Arkansas, Swain is a good bet to play immediately.
“They told me if I ended up going there, I would probably come in and start immediately,” Swain said.
Production and success on the field is important in Swain’s decision-making process, he said.
“I just want to know there’s an opportunity for success for the football team while I’m there,” said Swain, who has a 3.8 weighted grade-point average.
Swain said he only has plans to officially visit TCU and Oregon at this time.
TALENT NEARBY
Arkansas signed three players from Fayetteville High School in February and are now back looking at a couple of prospects for the 2015 class.
Bulldogs Coach Daryl Patton said he thinks highly of tight end C.J. O’Grady and safety Dre Greenlaw.
“C. J. has unbelievable potential,” Patton said. “Since I’ve been in the 7A-West, I think he can be one of the best that’s ever been in the conference. He has bigtime, big-time potential.”
O’Grady, 6-4, 230, 4.8, is in his first year of playing tight end after playing quarterback in junior high and as a sophomore. Going into Friday’s game against Rogers Heritage, he had 18 receptions for 402 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Arkansas, Arkansas State, Oklahoma State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and LSU are some of the schools taking notice of O’Grady. He made a highlight-reel touchdown reception earlier this season against Muskogee, Okla.
“I’m mad at myself for not turning it in to SportsCenter because it would’ve been one of the top plays,” Patton said. “It was just unbelievable.”
Patton said the reception wa s f rom about Muskogee’s 25-yard line and Fayetteville’s outside receiver ran a short hitch route on the same side of the field where O’Grady ran a corner route.
“He has a safety over the top, a corner on the outside of him and a linebacker trailing him,” Patton said. “Probably shouldn’t have thrown the ball to be honest. … When [quarterback Mitch Marshall] threw it, it looked like it was going to be probably 13, 14 feet high above C.J.’s head. C.J. jumps up and catches it with one hand as he’s falling into the end zone.”
Patton said Greenlaw is thriving at safety.
“He’s a very strong physical kid,” Patton said. “We call him Big Play Dre because he’s returned a punt 91 yards for a touchdown, ran an interception back 68 yards for a touchdown and then he returned a fumble Friday night probably 80-something yards for a touchdown.”
Greenlaw, 6-0, 210, 4.64, has a nose for the ball and has Arkansas, Tulsa, Oklahoma State, Missouri, Missouri State, Arkansas State and Ole Miss interested in his talent.
“He’s always around the ball and makes big plays,” Patton said. “He’s a kid that’s getting looked at by a lot of schools. A lot of interest in him. He’ll have a chance to play at the next level for sure.”
Fayetteville receiver/defensive back Jordan Dennis, 6-2, 180, is also one of the best playmakers in the state. He has offers from Tulsa and Illinois State and is drawing interest from several others.