From today's edition of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette
THE RECRUITING GUY: Texas running back has power game
By Richard Davenport
Originally published 03:22 a.m., August 8, 2008
Updated 03:22 a.m., August 8, 2008
LITTLE ROCK — 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 5A 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.
“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 hopesto 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.