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RECRUITING : Wavering Winston shows up for Seniors Camp Published: Sunday, July 20, 2008 PRINT E-MAIL FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas played host to approximately 300 athletes at its Seniors Camp on Saturday. One of the most decorated recruits present was Helena-West Helena Central cornerback Darius Winston, 6-1, 180 pounds, 4. 34 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Rivals. com rates Winston the state’s top prospect, a five-star recruit, the No. 20 player in the nation and No. 2 cornerback in the country. Winston once committed to Arkansas only to later withdraw that oral pledge and is now considering several schools, including Arkansas. “I just wanted to get a good workout today and learn something new,” Winston said. “I wanted to go against the best competition.” Winston is unsure if he will attend a football camp at LSU today and at Ole Miss on Saturday or start concentrating on his senior season after Arkansas’ camp. “I was hoping to go to LSU’s camp, but I might have to wrap it up or I might go to the Ole Miss camp,” Winston said Saturday. Winston said once he decommitted from Arkansas, he decided to slow the recruiting process down some.
“I have been just quiet about everything,” Winston said. “I just don’t really have a top school right now. I’m just open and focusing on my season.” Winston said he has used this summer to become an even better football player. Winston and his teammates feel they can have a very good team this fall, though most publications are picking them in the middle of the pack in their conference. “I have been working out hard and trying to get better,” Winston said. “I have been working on technique.” SECORD SOLID ON UA One of the campers present was Frisco (Texas ) Wakeland quarterback Will Secord, 6-2, 206, 4. 66, who has orally committed to Arkansas. Secord was one of four players committed to Arkansas present at Saturday’s camp. “I was just looking forward to getting to interact with the coaches,” Secord said. “I wanted to get to know them better.” Secord also used the occasion to shoot down a rumor that started shortly after he attended a football camp at the University of Kansas. Rumors persisted that Secord was possibly ready to switch his oral pledge to another school, but Secord said Saturday there was absolutely no truth to that rumor. “I haven’t met many of the recruits up here, but if I get a chance, I will recruit some of them for Arkansas,” Secord said. Secord also enjoyed the chance to work with a large group of talented wide receivers, including Warren’s Quinn Franklin, 6-3, 200, 4. 56, Lafayette County’s Rickey Hughey, 6-5, 221, 4. 7, and Texarkana (Texas ) Texas High’s Cobi Hamilton, 6-3, 190, 4. 54. “It’s a good chance to see what each of them can do and good chance to get reps with each other and see what can happen,” Secord said. Wakeland will open its season Sept. 5 at home against Saginaw (Texas ) High School. WR HOPES TO IMPRESS Texarkana (Texas ) Texas High wide receiver Cobi Hamilton has plenty of reasons to attend Arkansas. Both his parents attended Arkansas, and his mother, formerly Deborah Cooper, played basketball for the UA. Hamilton caught 29 passes for 726 yards and 7 touchdowns as a junior. “I wanted to come here and try to get an offer,” Hamilton said. “Hopefully, everybody will like me. I wanted to do well here.” Hamilton has eight scholarship offers and will be at LSU today trying to earn another one. Hamilton showed good hands and good instincts at receiver at the camp. “All the coaches tell me I naturally have big hands and I catch the football away from my body with my hands,” Hamilton said. Missouri, Louisiana Tech, TCU, Baylor, Houston, Southern Miss, Kansas State and Tulsa have offered Hamilton. QUICK HITS Three players seemed to help themselves at the camp. Little Rock Central linebacker and tight end Chris Scott, 6-4, 232, 4. 7, Little Rock Fair running back Stephen Houston, 6-0, 200, 4. 45, and Branson offensive tackle Mark Hill, 6-6, 270, 5. 1. Hill is the brother of Steven Hill, who played basketball the past four years at Arkansas. In addition to Secord, others committed to Arkansas and present Saturday were Helena-West Helena Central running back Turell Williams, 6-2, 205, 4. 52, Fayetteville offensive lineman Colby Berna, 6-4, 280, 5. 1, and Tulsa East Central cornerback David Gordon, 6-0, 170, 4. 4. Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino estimated 300 campers were present Saturday. Arkansas was expecting 150-200, but then 50 campers registered late Friday and 125 more showed up Saturday who hadn’t preregistered. More Stories From: OTIS KIRK · RECRUITING : Season set to begin, but 2009 class halfway done · RECRUITING : UA trying to get foothold in Tulsa · RECRUITING : Youngsters have shot to play early · RECRUITING : Elite Camp brings top prospects to Arkansas · RECRUITING : Hogs go after talented receivers inside, outside state Yesterday's Most Popular 1. UA FOOTBALL PRACTICE : QB ready for more pass-friendly offense 3. WESTERN ILLINOIS AT ARKANSAS, 6 P.M. SATURDAY : Offense has a catch 4. UA announces new athletic department structure 5. UA fullbacks to be primarily blockers in Petrino’s system Yesterday's Most E-mailed 2. UA FOOTBALL PRACTICE : QB ready for more pass-friendly offense 3. UA’s administrative structure takes shape 4. UA fullbacks to be primarily blockers in Petrino’s system |
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