THE RECRUITING GUY : Wide receiver Shaffer says aloha to Arkansas

RICHARD DAVENPORT

Posted on Tuesday, July 15, 2008

URL: http://www.wholehogsports.com/adg/231424/

Former Hawaii receiver Eric Shaffer, who played at Shiloh Christian, is considering transferring to Arkansas, Ole Miss or Missouri State.

Shaffer visited Ole Miss on Monday and said “everything was positive.”

“I’m basically going to weigh out my options and make the decision at the end of this week,” Shaffer said.

Shaffer said he plans to talk to Arkansas offensive coordinator Paul Petrino soon.

“It’s in the works right now,” Shaffer said. “I’m going to try and get in contact with him today [Monday ] or tomorrow and see if we can’t work something out.”

Shaffer, 5-11, 205, ran a 10. 57-second 100 meters and had 1, 335 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns his senior year. He signed with Hawaii in 2006 but wasn’t put on scholarship until the spring of 2007. He bulked up from 185 to 205 at Hawaii but still maintained his 4. 31-second 40-yard dash speed.

Weighing on Shaffer’s mind is whether to sit out another year at Arkansas and Ole Miss or be able to play immediately at Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA ) member Missouri State after sitting out two seasons at Hawaii.

Shaffer said being away from his family was the main reason for him leaving the Warriors ’ program, not that Coach June Jones left for SMU.

“I have three younger brothers, and I wasn’t able to see them but once or twice a year with airfare traveling back and forth,” Shaffer said. “They had a great coaching staff out there and a great offense and great players, but it was too hard being away from my family.”

Shaffer said being from Fayetteville and having the chance to play for his home state is appealing.

“It’s definitely a high possibility,” Shaffer said. “I love Coach [Bobby ] Petrino. I like what he did at Louisville.” LOTS OF TALENT AT TOP GUN

A nice crowd turned out for the 5 th annual Top Gun Quarterback Challenge at Shiloh Christian in Springdale last Thursday.

Missouri commitment Ashton Glaser of Springdale and Pine Bluff junior Claude Johnson finished first and second, respectively, in the final standings and will represent Arkansas in the National Top Gun Challenge in Tulsa on July 25-26. Glaser totaled 545 points, while Johnson had 525.

The competition allowed football fans to witness a promising crop of young quarterbacks led by Johnson. Junior Hayden Smith of Warren finished fifth with 480 points and showed why he’s one of the top 2010 prospects in the state. Shiloh Christian sophomore Kiehl Frazier showed off nimble feet and his strong arm to tally 430. Perhaps the surprise of the event was junior Kendall Pinkney of Dardanelle. He had a very impressive showing and recorded a total of 415 points, finishing in ninth place. Pinkney, 6-0, 170, is somewhat of a raw talent but displayed good mobility and a strong arm. He’s one to keep an eye on for the 2010 class.

TATE’S FARM WORKOUT Harrison tight end Austin Tate, who orally committed to the Razorbacks in late May, was on the Arkansas campus with his teammates for the VYPE Select 7-on-7 tournament on Friday and Saturday.

Tate, 6-6, 225, 4. 7, is a threesport athlete for the Goblins and weight lifting is pretty much limited to summer time.

“I’ve done this every summer,” said Tate, who had 42 catches for 708 yards and 12 touchdowns. “I get in and lift with any free time I get.”

Tate also said he enjoys a different type of lifting during the summer by helping his grandfather on his farm bailing hay.

“I’ve helped for about 10 years,” Tate said. “It’s not work. We go out and have fun.”

E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline. com.