Recap: Arkansas Prospects Stand Out At NUC Combine
Nearly 120 athletes from the state of Arkansas attended the second annual NUC Combine at Searcy Lions football stadium Saturday morning and Saturday afternoon. Athletes from the class of 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 tested themselves in various events to include the bench press, forty-yard-dash, broad jump, vertical leap, individual drills, then the one-on-one sessions.
The day was broken into two events, starting with the morning session which featured eighth, ninth, and tenth graders. The afternoon session featured the juniors.
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Top Freshmen and Sophomore's
The overall MVP of the freshmen and sophomore group was Conway wide receiver Brandon Cox. He had a really big day and showed that he was absolutely the best on the field.
The tenth grade MVP was Morrilton's Jamar Criswell who came in at 5-11, 153, ran a 4.55 forty, had a 8'9" broad jump, and benched 155 pounds 10 times.
Class of 2014 running back Madre London from Bryant showed that he is the real deal, and will be a phenom in years to come after coming in at 6-1 and 185. He also ran a 4.8 forty, 4.4 shuttle, and had a 27" vertical.
Another young man who stood out was Malvern QB Austin Warford. He looked good and had a strong arm. He came in at 5-8, 190, ran a 4.7 forty, had a 31" vertical and benched 155 pounds 27 times.
Others who impressed include Batesville WR Athon Dockery, Conway OL Brandon Kotch, Greenwood DL Cole McAlister, and McCrory LB Logan Best.
Top Juniors
The Class of 2012 showed up on a mission to prove that the Natural State's senior's to be have some top talent. There were two young men who showed they are very strong as well.
Rison's James Cranford and Corbin Arnold (Sorry school is unknown) each bench pressed 185 pounds 37 times.
The quarterback position has two strong men this year in Little Rock Catholic's Zach Conque and Searcy's Dezmond Stegall. Both had really strong arms and accurate delivery. Stegall came in at 6-3 and ran a 4.54 forty-yard-dash. His weight was not available.
There were a couple of good looking running backs as well. Strong-Huttig's Kenneth Dixon won MVP recognition after a big day. He measured in at 5-11 215 and ran a 4.6 forty. Little Rock Catholic's Quinta Thomas was the combine king after a solid overall performance. He posted the day's second fastest forty-yard-dash after running a 4.44.
There was no question who the best wide receiver of the day was. Bentonville's Desmond Smith showed that he had great hands and solid speed. The wide receiver MVP eventually called out the defensive back MVP Marquis Walker from Rison in the one-on-one sessions. Walker, who measured in at 6-1 189 and ran a 4.47 forty and had a 38 1/2 inch vertical, and Smith gave one another all they wanted. Both young men had their moments, and the sportsmanship between the two was the best part of the competition.
The offensive and defensive line each had young men who stood out. Rogers' Jacob McDonald was the offensive line MVP while Fort Smith Southside's Hunter Medford took home MVP honors for the defensive line.
Rison's Quanterio Heath was the linebacker MVP. He measured in at 6-3 ½, 205, ran a 4.67 forty, and had a 32" vertical.
Bryant running back Dillion Winfrey was the combine MVP after a great day. He measured in at 5-6 154 and ran a 4.43 forty.
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