Recruiting: No more shying away from phone: Holmes chooses UA

MARTY COOK
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas has been Brandon Holmes' favorite since he visited during the Razorbacks' 28-24 victory against Tennessee on Nov. 13.
On Sunday night, Holmes made it official when he orally committed to the Razorbacks. Holmes (6-2, 215, 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash) chose Arkansas instead of Miami, Georgia Tech, Notre Dame and Tennessee.
"I was just ready to decide, and that was it," said Holmes, of Sandy Springs (Ga.) North Springs. "That was the school I felt most comfortable about. They just seemed like a family."
Holmes first became interested in Arkansas when, as an unofficial guest of Alabama, he watched the Razorbacks play the Tide. He met with several coaches and players after the game and was impressed by the relationship between the players and coaches.
Holmes projects as either fullback or linebacker and is the Razorbacks' 15th oral commitment and fifth from out of state. Holmes originally was looked at as a linebacker, but he said the Arkansas coaches have told him recently they are expecting to use him on offense first.
During the past month, Holmes has shied away from answering the telephone at his home as the recruiting season picked up. Holmes said the recruiting process has its good points but can get overwhelming.
"It gets old quick," said Holmes, who has academically qualified.

Defensive back Leonard "Taco" Burress of Memphis Trezevant said he had a great trip to Alabama this past weekend, but the visit may have hurt the Tide's chances with him.
"There were four other corners there, and four of the five committed," said Burress, who is visiting Arkansas this weekend. "I was the only one who didn't commit. That might not be the best situation for me. I might not see playing time until my sophomore year."
Burress (5-10, 180, 4.4) is considering Arkansas, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama and Clemson. He said Kentucky Coach Hal Mumme and Arkansas Coach Houston Nutt are the only two head coaches who have made home visits, which means a great deal to him.
"[Arkansas] said I'm going to play as a true freshman," Burress said. "They said I'm a true cover corner. They like the way I play defense, but they also like the way I play offense, too. I'm going to play defense, but you might see me a little bit on the offensive side of the ball and on kickoff returns."
Burress said Arkansas was the only school recruiting him to play both sides of the ball, which he wants an opportunity to do.
Arkansas assistant Danny Nutt called Burress on Sunday. Burress said Nutt was another of Arkansas' strong selling points.
"The first time I heard from him, I knew he was one of the coaches I would like to play for," Burress said.
Burress is a high school teammate of defensive lineman Albert Means, who is considered one of the top prospects in the country. Means is scheduled to visit Alabama this weekend before coming to Arkansas the last weekend in January.
Trezevant Coach Lynn Lang shields Means from phone calls, and there is much speculation that Means favors Alabama. Burress said Means has told him that is not necessarily true.
"I talked to him, and he said that's just a rumor," Burress said. "When he goes down there and sees how many [defensive linemen] committed ... if he finds out how crowded it is and Alabama already had a dominating defensive line anyway, it's going to be very hard to come there and try to start as a freshman. He might change his mind about it."

Defensive lineman Adonis Forrest of Hayward (Calif.) Chabot College has scheduled an official visit to Arkansas this weekend.
Forrest (6-3, 280) didn't play football at Union City (Calif.) James Logan because he had to work to support himself and his mother. He turned to football after high school because he knew it was the only way he could attend college.
Forrest said Arkansas coaches called him for the first time Friday and invited him to visit. Forrest, who has scholarship offers from Idaho, Bethune-Cookman and Alabama State, said he was shocked to hear from the Razorbacks.
"They've seen my tape," said Forrest, a teammate of tight end James Toussaint, who walked on at Arkansas at midterm. "They said I was big and real aggressive. That's what they liked most about me."
Forrest said he heard good things about Arkansas from Toussaint when Toussaint returned from his official visit. Forrest said he will graduate Chabot in May. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

Linebacker Terry Anderson Jr. of New Orleans McDonogh 35 will visit Arkansas this weekend, but another Louisiana prospect, running back Devery "Boo-Boo" Henderson of Opelousas, will not in favor of Texas A&M.
Anderson (6-3, 205, 4.6) orally committed to Southern Mississippi earlier in the year but said he is now open. He is considering Arkansas, Southern Mississippi and Louisiana-Lafayette.
"It's a nice school," Anderson said of Arkansas. "I like the program. I don't know too much about the academics. I'm looking [for a school] that makes sure I graduate. I'm looking for good people and a good football program."
Henderson (6-1, 185, 4.4) said he probably will visit Arkansas the last weekend of January. He said he is looking for a school where he can play as a freshman and also compete in track and field.
Henderson said he is considering LSU, Georgia, Texas A&M and Arkansas.

Contact Marty Cook at marty_cook@adg.ardemgaz.com

This article was published on Tuesday, January 18, 2000

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