UA recruiting
Arkansas didn’t sign a cornerback in its 2016 class, so adding talent at the position is even more important for 2017. Cornerback Kary Vincent Jr., 5- 11, 170 pounds, of Port Arthur ( Texas) Memorial, received a scholarship offer from the Hogs last Wednesday on signing day. He also has other offers from Oklahoma, Baylor, Oklahoma State, TCU, Missouri, SMU, Houston and Vanderbilt.
Arkansas didn’t sign a cornerback in its 2016 class, so adding talent at the position is even more important for 2017.
Cornerback Kary Vincent Jr., 5- 11, 170 pounds, of Port Arthur ( Texas) Memorial, received a scholarship offer from the Hogs last Wednesday, national signing day. He has eight other offers from Oklahoma, Baylor, Oklahoma State, TCU, Missouri, SMU, Houston and Vanderbilt.
“I have an interest in every school that offers me,” Vincent said. “It’s really exciting for me for Arkansas being one of the biggest SEC schools.”
His father lettered at Texas A& Min 1990-1991 asa receiver. He was asked if he was a lock to play his college football in College Station, Texas.
“I say they can’t leave that to my pops,” Vincent sad. “That’s his legacy and I plan on starting my own.”
Vincent also said he been communicating with Arkansas defensive backs coach Clay Jennings on Twitter and the phone.
“He’s a cool dude. The time I’ve talked to him on Twitter, there’s a quick connection,” Vincent said. “We have a lot in common. I can see myself playing for a coach like that.”
Vincent, who’s rated by ESPN as the No. 16 cornerback and No. 222 overall prospect in the nation for the 2017 class, recorded 38 tackles, 3 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles and a recovered fumble last season.
He attended a camp at Texas A& M last summer and turned in a blazing 40- yard dash time of 4.38 seconds.
Vincent runs the anchor leg on the 400- meter relay and runs the second leg on the 800 relay. He had an electronic time of 10.87 seconds on the 100 last spring.
He has a 3.72 grade- point average and is planning to major in communication with an eye towards going into broadcasting. Vincent recently visited Baylor and may soon visit Houston
“We have our first track meet this Friday,” Vincent said. “I’m going to start the track season and get that rolling, and then I’ll get into the visits. I have time so I’m not going to rush anything, but I’m definitely going to be up at Arkansas soon.”
Vincent said he grew up hearing about his father’s playing days and that has driven him.
“For me, it was all about not being in the shadow,” Vincent said. “I just have so much love for the game and I just want to be the best. So I just push myself every time I step onto the field, every time I step into the weight room to perfect my craft. I just want to be the best at it.
YOUNG JUSTICE
Little Rock Christian freshman point guard Justice Hill attended Arkansas’ 85- 67 victory over Tennessee on Saturday in Fayetteville. Afterwards, he received a scholarship offer from Razorbacks Coach Mike Anderson.
Hill’s father, Fitz Hill, was a full time football assistant coach at Arkansas in 1992- 2000 and was the head coach at San Jose State in 2001- 2004.
Fitz Hill and his family became close friends with the Anderson family while he was Arkansas’ recruiting coordinator for football in 1998- 2000 and Anderson was the recruiting coordinator for basketball during the same period.
“I explained it to Coach we understand this is a business and we definitely want to bring something to the table, and that’s something Justice is definitely working hard to do,” said Hill, who is the president of Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock.
Justice Hill, 5- 11, 160 pounds, played for Bill Ingram and the 14- under Arkansas Hawks last summer and the exposure helped him get noticed by college coaches. He’s also received recruiting interest from from Virginia, Connecticut, Stanford and Oklahoma State.
Fitz Hill said his son’s talents matches well with Anderson’s system.
“He loves basketball and, more importantly, I know he loves Coach Anderson and he loves the style they play,” Hill said.
Fitz Hill also said his son is focused on tonight’s game at Greenbrier game and the home contest against Harrison on Friday. Anderson urged the younger Hill to think things over.
“He told us to take some time and don’t get emotional,” Fitz Hill said. “I said, ‘ Hey, let’s ride home this week and think about and let you pray about it’.”
Email Richard Davenport at rdavenport@ arkansasonline. com