Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Recruit still likes UA
Junior receiver Troy Omeire had 20-plus scholarship offers before picking a top 10 that included the University of Arkansas.
Junior receiver Troy Omeire had 20-plus scholarship offers before he announced his top 10 schools Dec. 19.
The University of Arkansas made the cut. Omeire, 6-3½, 210 pounds, of Sugar Land (Texas) Fort Bend Aus- tin, narrowed his list down to Arkansas, Texas, Texas A&M, Alabama, Nebraska, Florida, Miami, Ole Miss, LSU and
Texas Tech.
He and his mother visited Fayetteville in July for the Woo Pig Cookout, and he soon announced a top three in no particular order of Arkansas, Texas and Texas A&M, which remains true today.
“I like the coaches,” Omeire said. “When I went there last time, me and my mom had a good time seeing other recruits and parents.”
The cookout had a mix of Razorback commitments and targets mingling with the coaching staff and support staff on July 27. Although his mother enjoyed herself, it’s all about education with her.
“She cares more on my education,” Omeire said. “Football won’t last forever.”
Omeire said he communicates mostly with receivers coach Justin Stepp and graduate assistant Kelvin Bolden along with Coach Chad Morris.
“I talk to Coach Morris every now and then,” Omeire said.
The relationship with his future coaches will play a big role in his decision.
“How they emphasize building relationships,” he said. “I wouldn’t go play for a team that’s not about it.”
Omeire had 46 catches for 782 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior, and 38 receptions for 744 yards and 8 touchdowns as a sophomore.
CBS Sports national recruiting analyst Tom Lemming rates Omeire a fourstar-plus prospect.
“He’s an exciting receiver with good hands, excellent speed,” Lemming said. “He can stretch the defense and knows how to get open.”
While he’s high on the Hogs, Omeire hopes to see progress next season after a 2-10 campaign.
“I wish to see a better season this year under Coach Morris,” Omeire said. “Just improvement because it’s a new coach. It will take time to be at the top, so improvement.”
When Stepp and Bolden communicate with Omeire, they often mention using his size and skills in the Arkansas’ offense, but that’s not the only topic.
“Most of the time it’s building the relationship, asking how I’m doing or what I’m doing,” said Omeire, who hopes to visit Arkansas in the spring or summer.
He explained why his relationship with coaches is important.
“I wouldn’t want to play for a team without a relationship,” Omeire said. “You play better with a good relationship because you have trust.”
MORRIS A CHAMPION
Arkansas junior quarterback target Chandler Morris earned himself and his teammates an early Christmas present with Highland Park’s 27-17 victory over Shadow Creek on Saturday for the Scots third consecutive 5A Division 1 state championship.
Morris, 6-1, 180, 4.5 seconds in the 40yard dash, has scholarship offers from Arkansas, Clemson, Auburn, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and SMU.
The son of Razorbacks Coach Chad Morris, he completed completed 23 of 35 passes for 262 yards with 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception while being named the offensive MVP. “It was such a dream come true to win a state championship and to do it with my best friends and just seeing all our hard work pay off,” Morris said.
Arkansas freshman quarterback John Stephen Jones led the Scots to back-to-back state titles prior to Saturday’s title game.
Morris completed 266 of 411 passes for 4,055 yards and 46 touchdowns while throwing only 6 interceptions for the season. He also rushed 131 times for 652 yards and 19 touchdowns.
He’ll be celebrating Christmas with family.
“I plan on going hunting and hanging out with the family,” he said.