Arkansas RBs and QBs

Northwest Arkansas has long been known as a hotbed for Arkansas high school football players. Two of the players I will write about in this article are from Springdale High School in Springdale, Arkansas. I will also be featuring a speedster running back from Searcy High School. The next two running backs are from smaller schools but make no mistake about smaller schools in Arkansas. Bald Knob has a running back who is also a speedster and can play multiple offensive positions. Last but certainly not least is a running back by the name of Brock DeVorak from the Des Arc Eagles. These five players have certainly earned the right to be in the conversation of top Arkansas running backs and Quarterbacks. [player_tooltip player_id="75094" first="Landon" last="Phipps"]- 2022 class Springdale Bulldogs I started watching film on [player_tooltip player_id="75094" first="Landon" last="Phipps"] not knowing what to expect, it was not long before I realized this kid has the ability to do it all. I am not sure there is a position on the field Landon cannot play. Landon is designated as a QB/FS but this kid runs the ball as well as any running back I have seen and Landon returns kicks too. Landon is 6’0 190 pounds and his 40 time is 4.5 with a long stride. Landon passed for 1, 365 yards scoring 6 touchdowns and rushed for 561 yards scoring 15 touchdowns. Landon for the most part takes two steps for every 5 yards. Landon has good vision from the pocket and rushing him causes Landon to use his legs which are dangerous. Landon does not avoid contact and he even plays defense. Landon can lay a hit. Landon can throw the slant as well as he throws the deep ball, with accuracy and precision. I look forward to seeing Landon’s senior season. [player_tooltip player_id="92762" first="Da’von" last="Sparks"]- 2022 class Springdale Bulldogs [player_tooltip player_id="92762" first="Da’von" last="Sparks"] is an interesting kid on film. Standing at only 5’6 and just 165 pounds this kid plays like someone much bigger. Da’von is classified as a WR/CB but lines up in the backfield plenty. With the ability to play multiple spots on offense makes him someone that is hard to game plan against I would imagine. Da’von cannot be judged on stats alone from his Junior season. His game film speaks volumes. Da’von when lined up in the backfield his height makes him easy to loose in the shuffle. Da’von has great vision seeing the holes very well. Da’von is also very hard to tackle due to his height and abilities to make people miss not to mention his 4.5 40 speed. When Da’von is split out wide he uses great hands and speed capable of running all routes and defensive backs better have there jets on if they plan to run with Da’von. Da’von should be on college scouts radar. Daniel Wayne Perry Jr.- 2022 Class Searcy Lions A Landers award finalist Daniel certainly has a lot to offer colleges. Daniel plays with reckless abandonment. Daniel rushed for 1300 plus yards and 27 touchdowns his junior year. Daniel is 5 "11" weighing in at 190. When watching Daniel on film it was hard to believe someone could have that much speed. If defenses do not close in fast Daniel will hit the open field and short of the roadrunner you will not catch him. Hard angles, willingness to tackle, and equal speed or greater will be the only way your catching him if he breaks loose. I seen many defenders close in fast when Daniel runs through the hole but fast is not fast enough if you want to get Daniel tackled. College recruiters certainly need to make a visit to Searcy Arkansas to see Daniel play this fall. I am certainly looking forward to watching him play this Fall. Marcus McGahee- 2022 Class Bald Knob Bulldogs Marcus stands at 6’1 weighing 180 pounds and is another player who can play different spots on the field for the Bald Knob Offense. Marcus is another athlete who can do multiple things that make it hard to defend by opposing team. Marcus can line up in the backfield running the ball or catching it in the screen game or in the flats. Marcus can also split wide running the ball in jet motion or running any route getting separation. Marcus’s best routes are the slant or vertical because of his speed. Marcus is certainly a player that college recruiters should keep an eye on. Brock DeVorak- 2022 Class Des Arc Eagles Brock is a running back who a lot of people might overlook on film because he may not be the biggest or the fastest player in Arkansas but defenses learned Brock’s name last season. Brock runs downhill and through people. Brock stands at 6’0 180 pounds and he runs with every ounce of it. Brock’s 40 time is 4.9 but when I was watching him on film he sure looked faster. I was most impressed by his toughness. Brock played hurt never avoiding contact and when Brock takes the hand off it is like a rocket being shot out. Colleges should certainly come out to Des Arc, Arkansas to see Brock play this Fall.