Highly coveted running back Knile Davis of Missouri City, Texas, has the attributes Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino likes in a running back.

He’s big and fast.

Davis, 6-0, 212, 4. 48 speed in the 40-yard dash, has approximately 20 scholarship offers, including offers from Oklahoma, LSU, Nebraska, Arizona, Missouri and Texas A&M. He said Arkansas offered a little more than a week ago.

Davis’ season was cut short because of a broken collarbone, but he rushed for 450 yards last year at Class 5 A Marshall in just over four games. He didn’t start until late in the year as a sophomore but still rushed for more than 700 yards that season.

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“I’m more of a power back,” said Davis, who has run the 200 meters in 21. 68 seconds. “I like to run between the tackles, but at the same time I’m pretty quick and I can go around you and outrun you.”

Davis knew of former Hogs running backs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones when he told Marshall Coach Darryl Phipps about his offer from the Razorbacks.

“I told him to add them to his list and he said, ‘Hey, Coach, those are some pretty big shoes to fill there. They just lost two first-rounders,’” Phipps said.

Phipps said Davis can bench press 360 pounds, squat 545 and power clean 295.

Davis plans to take official visits to his top five schools: Oklahoma, Nebraska, Arkansas, LSU and Missouri. He hopes to take two visits during the season and three after the season. Razorbacks assistant Kirk Botkin is recruiting Davis. “I talked to him one time after I received my offer,” said Davis, who plans to major in accounting with a minor in broadcasting. “He was telling me he wanted me down for a visit, and I told him as soon as I look at my schedule, I plan to give him a call. “ He said he’s looking for a big back to carry the load.” National recruiting analysts Tom Lemming of CBS College Sports said Davis is an impact player. “He’s a slashing back with real good speed,” Lemming said. “He could come in and compete for a starting job as a true freshman.” Davis is one of the preseason nominees for the Houston Touchdown Club’s Player of the Year award.

GET THEM ON CAMPUS The Razorbacks are off to a good early start in Texas. Arkansas picked up its fifth oral commitment this week from the state when offensive lineman Travis Swanson of Kingwood chose the Hogs over Arizona, Kansas, Texas Tech, Houston and Army. All five commitments visited Fayetteville before choosing the Razorbacks. “I think a key component to getting these Texas commitments has been the ability for them to tour our campus,” recruiting coordinator Tim Horton said. “Once we get a studentathlete on campus, our success rate is really high.”

HAMILTON EXCELS Receiver Cobi Hamilton, 6-3, 200, 4. 56, of Texarkana, Texas, ran the 200 meters in 21. 41 seconds and finished fourth Sunday at the AAU Junior Olympics in Detroit. Hamilton has offers from seven schools, including Arkansas. He said he plans to take official visits to Arkansas and Kansas during his football team’s two open dates this fall. Hamilton said he plans to visit Missouri and LSU after the season. BUILDING THEM UP One of many assets Arkansas’ basketball program tries to sell recruits on is the ability of Kelly Lambert to improve their athletic ability. Lambert has been director of the weight and conditioning program for men’s basketball since 2003 but has worked in strength and conditioning at Arkansas since 2000. He tells prospects about his plans for them and of his past results with former Razorbacks in the NBA combine. “I’m preparing them for the next level physically,” said Lambert, a native of Hampton. “Ronnie Brewer finished No. 2 overall out of 89 or 95 guys in strength and agility, and Sonny Weems finished No. 1 in all of his agility work and speed and change of direction. “ I let them know the background I have with those guys, and hopefully they’re interested in preparing their body to go to the next level, because I know that’s their dream, to get to the next level.” Athletes go through five tests at the NBA combine: a nostep vertical jump, a one-step vertical jump, a three-quarter-court sprint, a lane agility drill and lifting 185 pounds in the bench press. All are tests that Razorbacks athletes go through as soon as they get on campus. “I want these guys to do it so many times that it becomes second nature to them,” Lambert said. “It’s been great for us, and the guys have done great at the NBA combines. “ Ronnie Brewer came in at 180, and right now I’m training him during the off-season to get ready to go back to Utah and he’s at 240 right now. He’s moving better now than he did at 180 pounds.”

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

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