Interview: Arkansas 2018 ATH LaDarius Bishop Surpassing High Expectations

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Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Fair or foul, LaDarius Bishop had a big load of expectations placed upon his shoulders as soon as his sophomore season ended. The Class of 2018 talent gladly accepted the challenge surpassing expectations throughout his junior season so far.

If you are in southwest Arkansas on a Friday night this fall looking for a high form of entertainment, watching an Ashdown High School football game might be the thing to do for you. The Panthers are loaded at the skill positions on both sides of the ball with Class of 2017 players like receiver/defensive back Tajhnick Bishop (Louisiana-Monroe) and safety/receiver Montaric Brown (Arkansas). The 2018 class is loaded with next level talent as well featuring dual-threat quarterback Jaden Hill and all-purpose back DeTravion Green. All the previously mentioned players standout in their own right with LaDarius Bishop helping get the job done in all three phases.

Bishop’s sophomore season ended with 11 tackles on defense, playing behind upperclassmen, but showed a lot of promise on offense with six receptions for 70 yards with one score and 14 carries for 98 more yards. The 6-0, 190 pound, athlete has upped his game across the board pulling in 17 passes for 369 yards with three touchdowns, carried the rock five times for 48 yards, and has an 80-yard kick return for a touchdown. He even has a pick on the year helping Ashdown to a 5-2 record against a very tough 4A division.

College coaches that have taken the time to scout Ashdown’s players have come away impressed. The comradery on the team has brought a rise in the overall talent helping push one another to achieve more than perhaps they would on their own. Bishop already has four scholarship offers with Baylor, Oklahoma State, Louisiana-Monroe, and Arkansas (in order of offer) eager to have the versatile athlete as part of their 2018 class. All the talent on the roster is sure to bring more college coaches to the yard leading to more scholarship offers for the Panthers.

In a Recruiting News Guru interview, I caught up with Bishop after the Panthers had a tough 56-51 loss to an undefeated Nashville squad seeing how his junior season was going overall with a recruiting news update.

Interview

LaDarius, tough question from the start of the interview. The Panthers are coming off a hard fought 56-51 loss to Nashville, how has the team responded from the game this week in practice?

“It is not a big deal to us anymore. We go week by week. We are not focused on that. We are focused on the next week and the next game.”

Your next game is against Arkadelphia, what type of challenge do the Badgers present for you guys?

“We’ve been watching film on them this week. They have some good linemen. They play hard. We have to come out like we did last week in the first quarter (28 points scored) and play hard.”

How is the season going for you personally?

“It is going great so far. I need to get some more interceptions. I need to do more on defense and work more on my technique. I have been working on it in practice.”

What has been the biggest challenge for you this season?

“My biggest challenge is on defense. This is my first year really playing defense. I’m spending a lot of time learning coverages. I did not play as much last year, I was really backing people up. Since the spring, I’ve been focused on defense.”

Between receiver and cornerback, which is your favorite?

“Wide receiver.”

How have you become a more effective wide receiver this year?

“My routes and catching the ball. I have been working on my routes all summer. I went to camps to work on my routes to prepare for the season.”

How are the opposing defenses covering you?

“Sometimes they put a rover on me, a linebacker, or bring a safety down.”

Has it been easy for you to get open this year?

“Yes, sir.”

Are teams testing you in the passing game on defense?

“They’ve tested me a few times.”

How are you holding up?

“I think just two people (receivers) have beaten me so far this year at cornerback.”

The Panthers have three games left this season against Arkadelphia, Robinson, and Fountain Lake, what are your personal goals over the final three?

“I just want to win. Play as hard as I can and win.”

Are you excited for the Robinson game?

“A little bit.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you right now that have not offered you yet?

“Louisiana Tech, Notre Dame, and Cincinnati.”

Which schools have offered you?

“Baylor, Louisiana-Monroe, Oklahoma State, and Arkansas.”

When did you get the Arkansas offer?

“They offered at the end of my sophomore school year but my coach did not tell me until the Bauxite game (Sept. 30).”

Wow. What was your reaction when he told you?

“I was surprised. I was focused on the game but I was excited. I wish I knew a long time ago.”

Which position are most of the colleges recruiting you to play?

“They are recruiting me as an athlete, but I think they want me to play receiver. That’s what I want to play in college.”

Have you been on any unofficial visits this fall?

“Yes, sir. I have taken two to Arkansas so far and I am going to Oklahoma State next week.”

How did your visits to Arkansas go?

“They were great. The games were good, even though they lost the Alabama game. I talked to the coaches, Coach Barry Lunney (tight ends), Coach (Paul) Rhodes (secondary coach), and Coach B. (Bret Bielema – head coach) when I was there.”

What are you looking forward to with the Oklahoma State visit?

“The atmosphere. Coach (Mike) Gundy (head coach) always texts me that family matters in Stillwater. That plays a big role with me.”

Which game are you seeing when you visit OSU?

“West Virginia.”

That should be a good game.

“Yes, sir.”

Last question, is there a player at the next level you watch to learn more about the game?

“I watch James Washington at Oklahoma State (36/731/6).”

LaDarius, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your season.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: wholehogsports.com; No. 9 LaDarius Bishop.

Photo credit: hudl.com; No. 9 LaDarius Bishop in the open field.