2019 Arkansas WR Irijah Price Used Speed and Hands for Breakout Season
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
One of the tougher football teams in Arkansas 6A classification that few wanted to face in 2017 was Arkansas High School. The Razorbacks were 7-6 playing a tough slate that included 2016 defending state champs Russellville and two games against eventual state champs Greenwood. One of the big reasons the Razorbacks were feared in 2017, the play of junior receiver Irijah Price.
Price utilized his speed, hands, and field vision on offense securing 47 passes for 967 yards with 11 touchdowns. Price’s 21 yard per reception average was off the charts, but his play on special teams returning kicks and punts made him even more of a threat to change the complexion of games at any given time and from anywhere on the field.
College coaches have been slow to find the 5-11, 184 pound, athlete tucked away in Texarkana, but they are starting to find him. TCU and Arkansas have shown the most interest early in the process. A closer look at Price reveals a next level athlete with a 3.4 GPA in the classroom and a 19 on the ACT received on his first try.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Price covering his junior campaign and budding recruiting interest.
Interview
Irijah, the Razorbacks played some very tough teams in 2017 lining up against eventual state champs Greenwood twice. How did playing against competitive teams make you better during your junior season?
“Playing against top teams brings out the better part of my game. I perform better against better teams.”
How are you used within the Razorbacks’ offense?
“Anywhere at receiver, slot or on the outside. Sometimes I’m in the backfield in the Spread.”
By the end of the 2017 schedule, which areas of your game were most improved at WR?
“My route running. My sophomore year, I was not as good with my route running. I was much better this year. I’ve always had great hands, not sure if that improved or not.” (laughs)
Which parts of your game are you focused on improving upon before your senior year?
“My route running. My route running is good, but not where I want it to be at the moment. I’ll work on my speed and acceleration. Route running is most important to me this offseason.”
On your reel, it had the feel that every other play was a special teams touchdown. How many special teams touchdowns did you have this year?
“I had a couple, but the majority of them got called back. I had four or five, maybe more but all but three were called back due to penalties.”
What is your mindset when returning punts or kicks?
“Just keep running, and don’t stop running. Find the hole hit it, and run even harder.”
It is early, but where all on the field might we see you next season?
“I will start at corner. I will play a lot of defense next year. I will be back at receiver and hopefully back in the backfield. I will also be at kick and punt return, much the same from this year.”
Did you start at cornerback this year?
“Not the whole year. I started at the beginning, then some guys got hurt so I came back in at corner towards the end of the year.”
How did your play improve at corner?
“I was more patient and more focused on tackling. I was better in coverage, especially my man-to-man and zone coverage.”
Have you already started an offseason workout, if so, what all are you doing?
“We start when we go back to school. We did rep maxes in the weight room to see where we are at with our strength before the break so we would know where to start off when we return.”
What are your offseason goals?
“I am 184 pounds now, I want to be 190 or above by next season. I still have to run track which will limit my weight gain. Hopefully I will be 6-foot or 6-1 by next season.”
Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you?
“TCU, Arkansas, and Texas State.”
Have any coaches come by Texarkana to meet you at school, if so, which programs?
“Before the season started, Barry Lunney (tight ends coach) from Arkansas came by school. He let me know he was watching.”
Did you take any unofficial visits this fall for a game?
“I took one to TCU and one to Arkansas.”
How did the TCU visit go?
“I loved it. The atmosphere was great. That was a wonderful visit for me.”
How did the Arkansas trip go?
“I liked it. It was nice. There are a lot of nice people there. They had some good food too. We ate well.”
Do you have any unofficial visits planned for 2018?
“No, sir. Not yet.”
You mentioned running track earlier, are you playing any other varsity sports for the Razorbacks?
“Just track.”
Which events?
“The 4×1, 4×4, 110 hurdle, 300 hurdle, long and triple jump.”
I don’t think you have enough events going on.
(Laughs) “Yeah. Hopefully we will win state again this year.”
You won state last year?
“Yes, sir. We have two state rings, we won my ninth grade year and last year.”
Irijah, congrats on all the success this year and good luck with track in the spring.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: Texarkana Gazette; No. 2 Irijah Price in action.
Photo credit: YouTube.com; No. 2 Irijah Price circus catch.