Special Offer from Arkansas Toyota Dealers and HI:
Win free tickets for two to see the Arkansas Razorbacks play basketball this season at Bud Walton Arena.
It is simple. All you need to do is click on the banner, then enter your zipcode to go to the website of your nearest dealer. After you register to win this great package -- take a look at the Toyota line of vehicles!
When they are reaching out to Utah prospects, it’s far to say that the University of Arkansas football program is casting a wider recruiting net these days.
The Salt Lake City Cottonwood duo of offensive linemen Percy Taumoelau (6-5, 300) and defensive lineman Keni Kaufusi (6-2, 280) – both American Samoans - are among a couple of the 15 or so official visitors the UA is expecting to host this weekend.
While Taumoelau just finished up an all-state season, Kaufusi – who originally signed with Utah last season before not gaining his academic eligibility - is actually a year removed from his last competitive game.
“I kind of took it on myself to grayshirt last year,” Kaufusi said Monday night. “I got into a little (academic) trouble, didn’t like my options and just thought it might be better to just work out with Cottonwood and help coach the defensive line. I think it has worked out really well for me.”
Kaufusi has already taken official visits to Colorado and Oklahoma State (both last spring), Washington and California with this weekend’s trip to Arkansas being the last one on his list.
“Both of my earlier trips went very well, but I am really excited about getting to Arkansas,” Kaufusi said. “We have heard a lot about their team and the success they have had and we’re very interested in playing there.”
Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson came upon the defensive tackle while checking out nationally ranked offensive lineman John Martinez, Kaufusi’s biological younger brother who just committed to USC, and Taumoelau.
“He said he had heard a lot of good things about me, watched my highlight tape and said he wanted Percy and myself to come down and visit when John did,” Kaufusi said.
What Robinson saw on tape was somebody that could possibly help the Razorbacks next season.
“I am told that my strengths are my explosion off the ball, my strength and the way I like to mix it up,” Kaufusi said. “I am still working hard on other aspects of my game, such as my technique and my hands.”
He has good things to say about Taumoelau, who was offered back in July by Arkansas.
“He’s actually my cousin and is like 6-6, 300,” Kaufusi said. “He plays on the offensive line and we used to really get after it. He is really the only way that could slow be down any one-on-one.”
Taumoelau, who recently played in the Hawai’i Prep Classic, has offers from Arkansas, Washington State, Hawaii and Arizona.
He has visits set to Arkansas this weekend and Washington State next weekend and recently announced the Razorbacks are his leader in one published report.
“He’s a great player,” Kaufusi said. “We are looking forward to the visit this weekend.”
Keni Kafusi
Percy Taumoelau
Jan. 9-11 Tentative Official Visitors list
• Alvin Bailey, OL, 6-5, 305, Broken Arrow, Okla.
• Shauntez Bruce, OL, 6-3, 265, Tallahassee (FL) Lincoln
• Ryan Calendar, DE, 6-8, 235, Caddo Mills, Texas
• Rudell Crim, 6-1, 190, Butler (Kan.) CC
• David Gordon, CB, 6-1, 180, Tulsa East Central
• Cobi Hamilton, WR, 6-3, 200, Texas High
• DeQuinta Jones, DE, 6-2, 265, Bastrop, La.
• Keni Kaufusi, OL-DL, 6-2, 280, Salt Lake City (UT) Cottonwood
• Ross Rasner, OLB-S, 6-1, 200, Waco(Texas) Reicher Catholic
• Percy Taumoelau, OL, 6-5, 300, Salt Lake City (UT) Cottonwood
• Alex Williams, DE 6-5, 215, Tallahassee (Fla.) Florida A&M High
• Terrell Williams, LB-SS, 6-4, 220, Tulsa Union
• Turell Williams, RB, 6-2, 215, Helena-West Helena
• Ronnie Wingo, TB, 6-3, 212, St. Louis (Mo.) University High
• Darius Winston, CB, 6-1, 180, Helena-West Helena
|